Title: Peripartum sows in three farrowing crates: posture patterns and behavioural activities
Abstract: This study used three types of farrowing crates, an ellipsoid crate developed in the study, a modified circular crate and a conventional rectangular crate. A total of 96 sows (32 for each crate type) were video-taped for observations of body postures and oral–nasal activities around parturition. These behaviours were compared among the three crate types and between pre- and post-partum sow stages. In all types of crates, sows before parturition stayed less in lateral recumbency, but more in ventral recumbency, sitting and standing than those after parturition (P<0.05 for each of all crates). The sows in the rectangular crate showed a higher occurrence of rooting (P<0.05), but less drinking activities than those in the circular (P<0.05) and ellipsoid crates (P<0.05). Most crate effects (at P<0.05) on these behavioural traits were found on the day before, rather than the day after parturition. There were associations between certain sow postures and their oral–nasal or nursing behaviours, e.g. the percentage of time spent in oral–nasal activities was highest when sows were in standing and sitting positions, and lowest in lateral recumbency (P<0.05 for most cases).
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 39
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