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Prepartum Behavior of Gilts in Three Farrowing Environments

University of Illinois¹, Urbana 61801

Abstract

To determine effects of the farrowing environment on prepartum behavior, five gilts were monitored continuously for 48 h prior to parturition in each of three farrowing systems: 1) an open farrowing pen (2.1 x 1.5 m); 2) a turn-around farrowing pen, which allowed the gilt to turn around (2.4 m long; 1.8 m wide at back, .6 at front) and 3) a straight farrowing crate (sow zone = .6 x 2.1 m). Videorecords were summarized as three 16-h segments (Period A = 48 to 32 h before the first piglet was delivered, B = 32 to 16 h and C = 16 to 0 h) for analysis of activity over time. In all systems, frequencies of postural changes and oral-nasal activities directed at the floor or wall increased as farrowing was approached, the highest frequencies occurring in Period C. Respective times spent standing, sitting and engaged in oral-nasal activities directed at floor or wall also increased over time. Pawing occurred almost exclusively in Period C. Lying upright (ventral posture) occupied a greater portion of lying time as the gilt's activity increased over time, whereas feeding and drinking behaviors did not change over time. The only behavior affected by the experimental environments was the frequency of 90° turns. Gilts in both open and turn-around pens showed an increasing turning frequency over time, and they turned more often in the open pen than in the turn-around pen. Differences in the kind and amount of space available to the gilts across the three farrowing environments influenced neither frequencies nor durations of postural adjustments, oral-nasal activities or pawing. Similarities in frequencies and durations of the registered behaviors across these environments suggest that there is a strong internal component in the motivation of prefarrowing behavior.

¹ Anim. Sci. Dept. Address reprint request to: 126 Anim. Sci. Lab., 1207 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801.