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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1064v1 86/12/3628    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, A. K. Articles by McGlone, J. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Johnson, A. K. Articles by McGlone, J. J.

Effects of shaded versus unshaded wallows on behavior, performance and physiology of the outdoor lactating sow

A. K. Johnson^*, F. M. Mitloehner^#, J. L. Morrow and J. J. McGlone

^* Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011-3150 , ^# Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616-1018 , USDA-ARS, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, 79409-2141, USA , Pork Industry Institute, Department of Animal Science and Food Technology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, 79409-2141 ^$Deceased

johnsona{at}iastate.edu

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of shading wallows during the summer months on lactating sow behavior, performance and physiology. A total of 128 sows were used during warm weather (May until August 2001) to determine the effects of unshaded (CO; n = 8) versus shaded (SH; n = 8) wallows. Sows ranged over six parities and were fed a completely balanced sorghum-based diet. Behavior data were collected by 15 min scan samples, over a 24 h period / wk for a total of 16 wk. All sows were observed twice when litter age was 5 and 15 d, respectively. Respiration rate (RR, breathes/min) was collected on 50 sows (CO; n = 25 and SH; n = 25) over an 8 wk period when the maximum temperature exceeded 32 ^oC. Ten mL of clotted blood and 20 mL of whole blood were obtained by a jugular puncture from each sow on the day of weaning to determine total while blood cells, acute phase proteins, packed cell volume and chemotaxis and chemokinesis. Descriptive water temperature profiles were measured using Hobos positioned at three levels per wallow: surface water, shallow mud and deep mud. Behaviors, postures, location, performance and physiological measurements did not (P > 0.05) differ between wallow treatments. Regardless of treatment sows spent ~82% of their total time budget inside the farrowing hut and only ~7% of their total time budget in the wallow. A total of 428 piglets died with 219 in CO and 209 in SH treatments. The majority of piglets in both treatments died of crushing within the first 72 h after parturition and most of the piglets had suckled. SH kept the shallow water profile cooler during the hotter afternoon temperatures compared to CO wallows. In SH for both shallow and deep mud profiles, temperatures were consistent over the day. In conclusion, sows spent a large percentage of their daily time budget inside the farrowing hut and only brief episodes in the wallow. Shading the wallow did not result in increased wallow use time or improvements in sow physiology and overall performance.

Key Words: Behavior • Heat Stress • Performance • Physiology • Sows