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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
Financial support for the Enterprise Model Project and Pork Insight has been provided by:
Effects of species-relevant environmental enrichment on the behaviour and productivity of finishing pigs
Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2006 | No Comments
There is a large body of literature supporting the hypothesis that environmental enrichment improves animal welfare. One of the main mechanisms by which enrichment improves animal welfare is the creation of behavioural opportunities to allow an animal to express control over its environment. Straw is generally regarded as a functional form of enrichment for pigs (Arey, 1993), as it occupies pigs for up to 25% of their active time (McKinnon et al., 1989; Beattie et al., 2000). It provides thermal and physical comfort, it can be ingested to provide gutfill, and it provides a substrate for chewing and rooting activities (Fraser, 1975). In situations where a substrate cannot be provided enrichment objects should be offered instead (Defra Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Pigs, 2003). However, if an enrichment object is offered as an alternative to straw it should occupy animals to the same extent and divert them from performing adverse behaviour. In a previous study by Van de Weerd et al. (2003) the characteristics of objects that were found to maintain a pig’s attention were ingestible, destructible, deformable, chewable and odorous, and these were in many cases associated with rootable substrates. However, other characteristics suggested by the analysis as important were ‘not rootable’ and ‘not particulate’, which although initially counterintuitive, related to hanging, ingestible objects, which proved very effective in maintaining a pig’s interest. In the present study, three different enrichment objects, which were designed according to the pig-specific requirements, were provided to groups of growing pigs with undocked tails. The enrichment treatments were a substrate dispenser providing straw, a rootable feed dispenser providing flavoured feed and a liquid dispenser that provided flavoured water when chewable rods were manipulated. These objects were compared with a pen with a full bed of straw (positive control) and a commercial enrichment object, a Bite Rite (Ikadan System, Denmark, minimal enrichment). Video tape recordings from weeks 1, 3 and 7 were scanned using time sampling to investigate general behaviour and enrichment use. Production parameters were measured, as well as occasions where tail biting (with fresh damage to a tail) occurred. The behavioural observations revealed that the pigs used all of the enrichment provided, but there were differences in the level and type of enrichment use by the pigs. The extent to which the straw and straw rack were used was significantly greater than for the other treatments (11.5 and 3.6% of the observations). Enrichment that was located on the floor could be manipulated from different postures, including whilst lying down; for example in 6.6% of the observations in which pigs on straw were lying down, they were manipulating the straw. This also applied, but to a lesser extent, to the straw rack and rootable feed dispenser. Groups provided with the liquid dispenser (which experienced technical problems) and Bite Rite had the highest prevalence of tail biting incidents (100 and 83% of pens, respectively). This study shows that a full bed of straw was the most successful way of occupying the pigs and, in addition, it prevented severe tail biting. Where it is not possible to supply a full bed of straw, point source enrichment objects such as substrate or feed dispensers appear to offer a good substitute. Such objects were well used and did not affect production negatively; furthermore, severe outbreaks of tail biting were prevented.
Coping with a Disaster in Your Barn
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PRRS and circovirus are devastating to herds. When such disasters hit, it is important to remember to accept humility, be realistic, control what you can, not to finger point, be confident, and build an understanding.
Ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids from canola meal in weaned piglets and growing pigs
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Two experiments were conducted to measure the apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AID) of protein and amino acids from canola meal (CM) and a pelleted canola meal (PCM) and their effect on specific activity (SA) of pancreatic proteases in weaned piglets and growing pigs. In experiment one, 24 piglets weaned at 17 days and weighing 5.5 kg were used. Treatments were a reference diet with 200 g of crude protein (CP) kg−1 elaborated with casein (C) as the sole protein source, a diet containing C–CM and a diet containing C–PCM. These diets were obtained using the reference diet plus 100 g kg−1 of CM or PCM that substituted an isoproteic mixture of casein and maize starch from reference diet, so that the AID coefficients for their protein and amino acids could be calculated by difference. In experiment two, nine castrated pigs weighing 39.5 kg were used. Treatments were a reference diet with 160 g of CP kg−1 elaborated with casein (C) as the sole protein source, diet C–CM and diet C–PCM. These diets were obtained using the reference diet plus 300 g kg−1 of CM or PCM that substituted an isoproteic mixture of casein and maize starch from reference diet. In piglets, the AID coefficients for casein were highest (Pb0.05), those of PCM were intermediate, and those of CM were the lowest. In older pigs, the AID coefficients for casein were highest, and those of CM and PCM were similar (PN0.05). The SAs of chymotrypsin, trypsin and carboxypeptidases A and B were lower in piglets than in heavier pigs. Moreover, the SAs of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase B were lower (PN0.05) in animals fed casein. The results showed in piglets that whereas CM was less digestible, pelleted canola meal improved protein and amino acid ileal digestibility, resulting in similar AID coefficients to those of growing pigs.
PCVAD – What to Do in the Barn Today
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In the fall 2004 Ontario and Quebec swine producers started to see a significant increase in mortality generally beginning at four weeks into the finisher and lasting approximately six weeks. A diagnosis of PMWS with a subsequent name change to Porcine Circovirus Associated Disease (PCVAD) in North America was made. The impact on mortality has been dramatic. Many different intervention strategies have been attempted through the ensuing two years and in our clinical experience have little to no value. In no particular order: feed medication, vaccination type and timing, water supplementation, nutriceuticals, ration formulation changes, water acidification, feed manufacturing changes, sanitation protocols, injectable antibiotics, and sorting affected pigs have produced no consistent results and will have cost the industry more money on top of existing losses. As always in a desperate situation there are those that market the “silver bullet”. At this point there are very promising vaccine results with pig vaccines and pending results but too early yet on sow vaccine efficacy. Madec’s 20 point control program is not applicable to the current North American pig industry structure; however, components of it address common sense management of the pig and population. This paper summarizes some principles of disease control that are applicable and sustainable within the North American industry such as: all in-all out (AIAO) groups, sanitation, not co-mingling, limiting pig movement within AIAO group, effective sow herd immunity, biosecurity, effective pig care, effective diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, control or eliminate primary pathogen circulation in S-N-F, and having an effective information system. Even if these principles are addressed there are still challenges to the North American industry. There needs to be an assessment as to how far we have strayed from long term effective large population management, what the lessons from this devastating disease are, and how effectively we apply those lessons in the future.
The potential of fonio (Digitaria exilis, Stapf) as feed for monogastrics
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Analysis of Pig Meat Production With Respect to Different Housing Systems of Pigs
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Exploring zeolite, a natural feed additive, as a means of reducing the environmental impact of manure
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This study examined the profitability of zeolite, a clay used as a feed additive, for improving the feed conversion rate, carcass quality and intestinal absorption of N, P, K and S by grower-finisher pigs, while reducing the release of these nutrients in the environment and that of odours and gases in the barn. The results show that zeolite did not have an important impact on feed conversion, average daily gain and carcass quality. However, adding zeolite to the diet reduced odours emissions by up to 45% and reduced the volume of slurry by up to 18%. Moreover, zeolite showed some potential in reducing nitrogen and phosphorous in the slurry. The searchers also observed that zeolite remains stable in the pig’s stomach and that very few heavy metals are released, when energy and protein levels are well adjusted. Parallely, the searchers have determined a few handling recommendations. Firstly, one should request from the zeolite supplier a proof that this clay steadily contains at least 75% clinoptilolite (a type of zeolite). Secondly, the granulometry of the zeolite must stand between 0,25mm and 0,50mm: finer particles hinders absorption and coarser particles have a reduced impact on palatability. Moreover, the rough surface offered by particles of ground clinoptilolite could necessitate vibration during handling (like at the outlet of a conical silo). At the mine, clinoptilolite must be handled under dry conditions: if exposed to moisture, it readily agglomerates. Further research is required before receiving the certification of the Canadian food inspection agency.
IMPACTS OF A MANURE COMPOSTING PROGRAM ON STREAM WATER QUALITY
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