Publication Date: February 8, 2012
Reference: livestockwelfare.com Research Watch 2012
Country: Canada
Summary:
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Research in Denmark found that sows in loose housing can benefit from getting familiar with the person treating them. Repeated visits leading up to farrowing, giving feed or straw to the sow and letting the sow get to know a persons voice, will help in post farrowing visits. A problem in loose housing systems is when a sow lies down or rolls over piglets are crushed and killed. Restlessness causes sows to roll unnecessarily increasing piglet mortality.