J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1980. 50:7-20.
© 1980 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Four Types of Floor Slats on Certain Feet Characteristics and Performance of Swine4

G. L. Newton1, C. V. Booram2, O. M. Hale1 and B. G. Mullinix, Jr.3

University of Georgia, College of Agriculture, Coastal Plain Station, Tifton 31794

Abstract

Four trials were conducted to determine the effects of four types of floor slats on occurrence of injuries to the feet and legs, dimensions of the feet and performance of growing-finishing swine. Slat materials were porcelainized steel, plastic surfaced, concrete and aluminum with two pens with floors of each type, each housing five pigs from approximately 23 to 98 kg for each trial. Evaluations of hoof length, sole length, sole width, lesions to the volar surface, hoof cracks and miscellaneous lesions were made initially and at the conclusion of each trial. Hooves of pigs housed on plastic slats were longest followed by those on aluminum, steel and concrete in order of length with each treatment different (P<.01) from other treatments. Sole length associated with each floor was also different (P<.01) from that of every other floor with the same order of decreasing length as observed for hoof length. Concrete slats produced a narrower (P<.01) sole width than any other slat type. Foot pad lesions for pigs housed on plastic and aluminum were similar for all toes while lesion scores for pigs housed on steel and concrete were similar to each other for front feet and inside toes but greater (P<.01) on steel for rear feet and outside toes. Lesion scores were lower (P<.01) for steel and concrete than for plastic and aluminum in all cases except for a similarity of steel with plastic for outside toes. Pigs housed on concrete slats developed more (P<.01) hoof cracks than pigs housed on either of the other floors while pigs on steel slats also developed more (P<.01) cracks in their outside toes than did pigs on either plastic or aluminum. Although slat type did not significantly affect the number of other miscellaneous gross lesions, plastic and concrete slats produced a greater number of lesions than steel or aluminum. Pigs housed on porcelainized steel slats gained faster (P<.05) and consumed more (P<.05) feed than those housed on plastic surfaced slats and required less (P<.05) feed per unit of gain than those housed on aluminum. Correlation analysis indicated that all measures of foot size were positively correlated (P<.01) with rate of gain, that hoof length and sole length were correlated (P<.01) with foot pad lesions and hoof cracks across floor types, but much less so when adjusted, and that some foot and leg lesions occurring prior to the time pigs reach 24 kg may have a negative effect on subsequent performance.

Footnotes

4 Supported by State and Hatch Funds allocated to the Georgia Agr. Exp. Sta.

1 Dept. of Animal Science.

2 Dept. of Agr. Eng.; Present address-Route 2, Box 99, Gilman City, MO 64642.

3 Computer Center.






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Copyright © 1980 by the American Society of Animal Science.