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Behavioural Observations of Peri-Parturient Sows and the Development of Alternative Farrowing Accommodation: A Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

D S Arey
D S Arey*
Affiliation:
Animal and Feed Technology Department, SAC, Craibstone, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA, UK
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Abstract

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A number of alternative farrowing systems have recently been developed, some of which have been more successful at improving welfare and productivity than others. It is argued that for a system to be successful it should meet with the behavioural requirements of the sow at this time. A number of studies have been carried out to observe the natural behaviour patterns of the peri-parturient sow in a wide range of environmental conditions. These studies have shown that during each phase of peri-parturient behaviour there are a number of key environmental features and conditions which are important to the sow. These include the social environment, shelter, nesting material and offspring interaction. This information can be useful in the design of farrowing systems. A review of the literature indicated that the more these conditions are met, the more readily the sow can adapt to the system, leading to improvements in maternal behaviour and piglet production.

Keywords

animal welfarebehaviourfarrowing sowhousingpreference
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 6 , Issue 3 , August 1997 , pp. 217 - 229
Copyright
© 1997 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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