Effect of rubber slat mats on the behaviour and welfare of group housed pregnant sows
This study evaluated the effect of flooring, lameness, body and limb lesion scores on postural and spatial behaviour of gestating sows. Sixty-four sows were kept in groups of four in pens with four solid concrete floored feeding stalls and a concrete fully slatted group area from 4 weeks after service. The slats were either left […]
The effect of overgrown claws on behaviour and claw abnormalities of sows in farrowing crates
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of overgrowth of the weight bearing claws on the behaviour of sows in farrowing crates. The study used 24 multiparous lactating sows, 13 with overgrown (OG) rear claws and 11 controls. Sows were video recorded continuously from approximately 12 h before farrowing in order to […]