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Effects of re-grouping on behaviour, immune function and production in sows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

D. S. Arey
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, U.K.
A. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, U.K.
S. A. Edwards
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Building, Aberdeen AB24 5UA, U.K.
J. A. Rooke
Affiliation:
Animal Biology Division, SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9YA, U.K.
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Extract

The re-grouping of sows is a common procedure in pig production systems and is one which can have adverse consequences for both welfare and production (Arey and Edwards, 1998). Sows in an indoor dynamic group system, in which group structure was changed repeatedly, had a high rate of returns to service which may have been due to them receiving greater levels of aggression (Rigat et al., 1998). The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of re-grouping on sow aggression and how this affected behaviour, immune function and productivity.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2000

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References

Arey, D. S. and Edwards, S. A. (1998). Factors influencing aggression between sows after mixing and the consequences for welfare and production. Livestock Production Science, 56: 6170.Google Scholar
Rigat, J., Jamieson, W. G., Edwards, S. A. and English, P. R. (1998). Evaluation of a dynamic serving system for indoor herds. Proc. 15th IPVS Congress, Birmingham, vol. 3 p84.Google Scholar