Effect of Supplemental Enzyme in Barley with Low, Medium, and High DE Content for Grower Pigs (Poster)

Posted in: Prairie Swine Centre by admin on January 1, 2001 | No Comments

Phosphorus Requirements of Growing Pigs

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Effect of group size on aggression of grower-finisher pigs

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Research on management and performance of grower-finisher pigs has generally been conducted with small group sizes, while the swine industry has shifted towards larger group sizes. Our previous study shows that productivity of pigs was not affected by group size up to 80 pigs/pen. However, there are still concerns about aggression and injuries among pigs in a large group. The objective of this study was to determine effects of group size on aggression and injuries of pigs.

Effects of social 'stressors' on belly-nosing behaviour in early-weaned piglets: is belly-nosing an indicator of stress?

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Belly nosing is a behaviour pattern commonly observed in early-weaned piglets. Although, bell-nosing has been referred to as an indicator of stress, the factors involved in its causation are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether the social composition (litter mates vs, mixed litters) and density (0.15 m2 per pig vs. 0.4 m2 per pig) at weaning affected belly-nosing. A total of 144 piglets weaned at 12-14 days of age were used in the experiment. Behaviour was observed for 8 h during day 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21 post-weaning. Feed intake, water intake, and growth rate were determined weekly. Blood was collected on sampled piglets pre-weaning and post weaning. The piglets at high density consumed more feed, had lower plasma cortisol, and were less aggressive than the piglets at low density during the period of 3 wk post weaning. Mixed piglets at high density performed less belly nosing at low density at day 10 post weaning. Since belly nosing was not associated with stress of mixing or crowding, it does not appear to be a behavioural indicator of stress.

The effects of selection for lean tissue content on maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours in Scottish Blackface sheep

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British hill sheep play several pivotal roles in the organization of sheep farming in the UK. They are required to give birth to and rear their lambs under harsh extensive conditions. This study investigate whether genetic selection for increased (LEAN) or decreased (FAT) carcass lean content in the Scottish Blackface breed over a 7 years had affected the ability of ewes to rear lambs by altering the expression of maternal and neonatal lamb behaviours. The behaviour of 61 ewes (32 LEAN and 29 FAT) and their 119 lambs were recorded at parturition and over the first 8 weeks of life. Overall there were very few effects of selection on the behaviour of the ewes. LEAN ewes were significantly faster than FAT ewes to start grooming their lambs after birth and FAT ewes tended to withdraw more frequently from their lambs than LEAN ewes. LEAN lambs were significantly quicker than FAT lambs to perform all righting movements (latency to stand), were more likely both to suck, and to play within the first 2 h of birth. The higher rate of sucking in LEAN lambs persisted over the first 3 days after birth, when LEAN lambs were also significantly closer to their mothers than FAT lambs. Thereafter, there were no significant effects of ewe or lamb line on behaviours recorded up to 8 weeks after birth. Overall lamb mortality to 8 weeks was 19.3% and was not significantly affected by lamb line. The results of this study suggest that, although ewe maternal behaviour has not been significantly affected by selection for lean growth, the activity of the neonatal lambs has been affected.

Effects of different sucking systems on milk production, udder health, reproduction, calf growth and some bavioural aspects in high producing dairy cows a

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This article discusses the consequences of different suckling systems in the industrial countries for the milk production, udder health, reproduction and behaviour of high producing dairy cows and the effects on the gain, health and behaviour of the calves. The suckling systems are divided into three different categories depending on the purpose and duration of the suckling period. Long-term suckling with or without additional milking covering the period where the calf has a nutritional need for milk, and short-term suckling, where cow and calf are kept together in the colostrums period only. Long-term suckling without additional milking in early lactation can in some situations stimulate the subsequent milk production to a greater extent than milking alone. No clear or significant differences can be found between restricted and free suckling systems. Most experiments show that suckling decreases the risk of mastitis in the suckling period and in some cases even for some time after the suckling has been terminated. Suckling and milking during the same period is not advantageous in production turns because of a very poor ejection of milk. Long-term suckling can increase the post-partum interval until first heat, in some cases until the end of the suckling period. However, as the cows appear to be more fertile, the net effect on reproduction is small. The suckled calves are usually health with a high daily gain. Short-term suckling have more advantages than disadvantages on production, health and behaviour of both the cow and the calf compared to an immediate separation after birth.

Farm animal welfare in the context of other society issues: Toward sustainable systems

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Animal welfare is difficult to define. Overall, the issue will be driven by public opinion. However, the lack of a definition has not impeded the government from imposing legislation on some animal welfare issues. Measuring animal welfare needs to be a multidisciplinary approach; measures should include: level of productivity, behaviour, physiology, health and immunity, and anatomy. Important societal issues, that affect which production systems are considered acceptable, also need to be taken into account. Some issues include the environmental impact, worker health and safety, consumer economics, public perceptions, community interactions, etc. Sustainable systems tie the most important issues together. The systems that do not negatively impact the environment, the workers, the animals and the community and are efficient and economically competitive, are sustainable. The US and Europe are investing in multidisciplinary approaches to evaluate whole-system impacts. If society demands higher standards of animal welfare or other assurances, the consumer must be willing to pay the added cost. If consumers are not willing to pay, some producers will go out of business. This would also have negative consequences for the community. In the case of international trade, if the domestic product is more expensive because the animals were raised according to higher welfare standards, but consumers can still buy a cheaper product from another country, which was raised with lower welfare standards, then the producers of the domestic product will suffer. In some cases, animal welfare and environmental protection are in conflict. Feeding sows high fiber diets to help them feel full, can increase the effluent. This hinders their ability to meet environmental standards. Another example is with pigs raised outside. To reduce environmental pollution in wet climates, outdoor sows must wear nose rings. The study of animal welfare needs to be a multidisciplinary approach, such that scientists and the public can agree the concept of animal welfare. Also, the effects that higher welfare standards have on other societal issues need to be considered, to ensure the sustainability of animal agriculture.

Reduction in cross-sucking in calves by the use of a modified automatic teat feeder.

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Cross-sucking, the sucking of various body parts of neighbouring calves, is a behavioural problem associated with calves being separated from their mothers early but still being fed milk. This study examined cross-suckling behaviour in calves feed by a typical open feeder stall with an artificial teat versus a modified feeder in which a gate closes behind the calf upon entry. The behaviours were recorded over a 9-week period. It was determined that calves that are provided protection (the gate closing behind them upon entry) would remain in the feeder from longer periods of time after they finished consuming their milk and during this time would suck of the teat even though it provided no milk. In the 15-minute period following milk ingestion, the calves fed via a feeder with a rear gate showed a decreased rate of cross suckling. The remainder of day (following the 15 min period immediately following feeding) there was not a difference in the rate of cross-sucking between the two different feeder groups. Even so by installing a gate that closes upon the calf’s entrance into the feeder, it successfully reduces cross suckling when it is most commonly seen, immediately following the completion of a meal.

Design and Operation of a Prototype Mechanical Ventilation System for Livestock Transport Vehicles

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Antimicrobial Drug Use and Veterinary Costs in U.S. Livestock Production

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