Effects of Mixed and Uniform Parity Groups on Feeding Behaviour, Welfare and Productivity of Sows in ESF Housing

Posted in: Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on August 4, 2016

Author: Y.M. Seddon, F.C. Rioja-Lang and J.A. Brown

Reference: Western Hog Journal Summer 2015

Sow group housing is beneficial in relation to increased fitness and freedom of movement. However, sows can experience increased aggression and reduced access to feed. ESF systems are beneficial in that they can control individual feed levels and reduce aggression due to feed competition. Although ESF are beneficial, young or subordinate sows may still experience competition for access to the feeders. The objectives of this study were to determine if gestating young sows (parity 1 or 2) experience reduced aggression when housed in uniform parity groups as opposed to mixed parity groups and how this effects production, and to observe the differences in feeding behavior, welfare, and productivity among mixed and uniform parity grouped sows.

Sows were grouped into one of four groups: Uniform low parity (parity 2), uniform medium parity (parity 3 to 4), uniform high parity (parity 5 and over), and mixed parity (parity 2 to 8). At 5 weeks gestation, sows were placed into a mixing pen for 1 week and then moved into gestation pens until farrowing. An ESF feeding system recorded feeding behavior. Measurements of body condition score, sow weights, skin lesions, gait scores, and backfat thickness were taken periodically. Regular litter data was collected at farrowing as well as litter weights.

Productivity between uniform and mixed groups was not significantly different. Results showed that uniform grouping reduced lameness and increased backfat thickness for young sows. It appears that parity 1 and 2 sows may benefit from uniform sow grouping in terms of decreased aggression and competition for feed.

Mixed Uniform Parities Seddon

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