Determining Effective Enrichments for Group Housed Sows
Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by Ken Engele on May 1, 2018
It was concluded that when enrichment was rotated (Rotation and Stimulus treatments) sows spent more time near enrichments and were more active than when Constant enrichment or Control treatments were provided. Based on this initial analysis the sound stimulus appeared to have no significant effect. Although the straw enrichment produced the greatest response, sows also made use of rope and wood on chain enrichments, and no adverse effects were found for sows or manure management indicating their suitability as enrichment materials for group-housed sows.
Determining Effective Enrichments Group Housed Sows