J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1989. 67:94-104.
© 1989 American Society of Animal Science
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Effects of Sow-Crate Design on Sow and Piglet Behavior1

Kristie A. Rohde Parfet2, Harold W. Gonyou2, Stanley E. Curtis2, Robert J. Hurst2, Aldon H. Jensen2 and Arthur J. Muehling3

University of Illinois, Urbana 61801

Abstract

The effects of sow-crate design on certain behaviors of sows and piglets at farrowing and again approximately 3 wk later were evaluated with a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of crate width (narrow [N = 55 cm] or wide [W = 64] between lowest horizontal pipes), length (short [S = 183 cm] or long [L = 198] from rump stop to front gate) and side type (lower side of sow crate "fingered" [F], "bowed" bottom bar 20 cm above the floor [B], or straight bottom bar 20 cm [S20] or 25 cm above the floor [S25]). Farrowing-crate design influenced both sow and piglet behaviors both during and immediately after parturition and during nursing-suckling bouts approximately 3 wk later. Activities of 51 sows and their piglets were videorecorded during and immediately following parturition. Sow-crate design affected neither the interval between births of successive piglets in a litter nor the frequency of standing by the sow during parturition. Latency from birth to first mammary contact (LMC) was greater with S25-sided and S sow crates, and especially with S, W crates. A significant interaction occurred between sow-crate side type and dimensions; LMC was longer when S25 sides were combined with S or W crates. Data on suckling behavior were collected from 113 litters over three successive sucklings approximately 3 wk after farrowing. Sow-crate design had no effect either on the consistency with which a piglet suckled a particular teat or teat pair or on the frequency of multiple-teat use. Piglets maintained fewer functional teats with S, S20 crates. The distribution of functional teats between rows was less symmetric with S crates. Piglets nursed with their bodies over a side bar more frequently with B- and S20-sided crates. The sow permitted her piglets to suckle while she was in a vertical stance more frequently with S and N crates, and especially with S, N crates. Sow-crate design affected important behaviors of sows and piglets both during and immediately after parturition as well as during nursing-suckling bouts about 3 wk later.

Footnotes

1 Supported in part by National Pork Producers Council, Humane Information Services, Inc. and Illinois Agric. Exp. Sta.

2 Anim. Sci. Dept. Address reprint requests to: 126 Animal Sciences Lab., 1207 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801.

3 Agric. Eng. Dept.






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Copyright © 1989 by the American Society of Animal Science.