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Effects of Forced Exercise during Gestation on Farrowing and Weaning Performance of Swine¹

University of Georgia, College of Agriculture, Coastal Plain Station, Tifton 31793

Abstract

Forty-three gilts and 24 sows were tethered throughout gestation, and one-half were forced to walk on a treadmill 15 min daily 5 days a week. Exercised and nonexercised dams farrowed 10.0 and 10.2 pigs (P>.05) and weaned 8.1 and 7.9 (P>.05), respectively. Birth weight of pigs born alive from exercised and nonexercised dams averaged 1.6 and 1.5 kg (P>.05); weaning weights were 8.5 and 8.2 kg (P>.05), respectively. Sows farrowed 12% more pigs (P<.05) than gilts and weaned 17% more pigs (P<.05) that were 12% heavier at birth (P<.01) than those of gilts. Forced exercise did not improve (P>.05) reproductive performance as measured by numbers of pigs farrowed and weaned or by birth and weaning weights. Mean length of gestation was not significantly affected by age of dam or exercise treatment. The interval between birth of first and birth of last pig per litter averaged 154 and 151 min (P>.05) for exercised gilts and sows, respectively, and 170 and 161 min (P>.05) for those not exercised.

¹ Supported by State and Hatch funds allocated to the Georgia Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.

³ Present address: Dept. of Health and Environment, State of Kansas, Topeka, 66620.