Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 November 2017
Recent legislation prohibiting the use of individual confinement systems for dry sows has led to the adoption of group housed systems which have perceived welfare advantages. The feeding system for dry sows and gilts is fundamental to welfare and production; problems such as abnormal behaviours, aggression and psychological stress, caused by poor nutrient distribution in group systems, must be addressed.
In this study the relative merits of three feeding systems for group housed gilts were investigated in relation to welfare and production.