A prototype lying mat as an alternative to straw bedding for improving sow lying comfort was evaluated
using a dynamic group of 47 gestating sows housed in a pen with 5 communal lying areas. Mats were
installed in 3 lying areas while the concrete floors of the remaining lying areas remained uncovered (period
1). After 5 weeks the position of the lying mats was rotated (period 2). It was concluded that under conditions of this experiment covering concrete floors with synthetic mats appeared to improve sow lying comfort. It is questionable whether this finding can be generalised to other (climatic) conditions.

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