engleski

Effects of different housing conditions on pig productivity

The aim of the study was to find out whether difference in the size of commercial farrowing pen could affect sow production and piglet productivity up to weaning. Production was observed during one year on a pig breeding farm in two facilities with different farrowing systems. Data were recorded over ten lactation periods of 27-28 days. In house A, an average of 65 sows were kept during lactation period in farrowing pens of 1.6x2.1 m in size, with fixed wedging. In house B, 66 sows on an average were kept during lactation period in farrowing pens of 1.7x2.4 m in size, with wedging adaptable to the sow size. During the study, microclimatic conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, and air flow velocity) were regulated and maintained within standard limits in both facilities. Study results showed better production in house B, with the rate of liveborn piglets greater by 1.7%, of weaned piglets by 3.0% and of finishing piglet body weight by 7.7% as compared with house A. It is concluded that larger and advanced farrowing pens as an alternative for animal welfare yield better production results and economic profit than smaller pens, mostly used for sow farrowing.

pigs; farrowing pen; production results; animal welfare

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