Does housing influence maternal behaviour in sows?

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 2016
Authors:
 Charlotte G. E. Grimberg-Henrici, Kathrin Büttner, Christian Meyer, Joachim Krieter
Publication/Journal:
 Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Keywords:
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ISBN:
 0168-1591
Abstract:

Farrowing crates prevent sows during lactation from moving freely and interacting unrestrictedly with their piglets. The aim of this study was to compare sows during lactation in a group-housing system (GH; n = 23) and sows in a conventional single-housing system (SH; n = 24) with regard to their maternal behaviour. GH sows were only fixed in their pens three days ante partum until one day post partum. For the remaining amount of time they were able to choose between their home pen and a shared running area. Piglets were able to leave their pens on day five post partum. Data were collected in four batches with six sows in each housing system. All sows were observed in week 2 and week 4 of lactation in six successive tests concerning their maternal behaviour. The sows’ reaction to piglet distress calls, separation from and reunion with their piglets was tested both in their home pens and in a test arena for a maximum of five minutes. The test arena (3.9 m × 3.7 m) provided a piglet nest in a corner. The sows were only able to hear and smell their piglets. In the piglet scream test in the home pen, GH sows were more responsive to piglet screaming than SH sows. GH sows showed more body movements towards their screaming piglets and aggressiveness towards the experimenter (p < 0.05) as well as stronger postural reactions at the end of the test; i.e. standing (p < 0.05). However, in the piglet scream test in the test arena, SH sows remained near their handled piglet more frequently (p < 0.05) and vocalised more frequently (p < 0.05). Whereas, GH sows tended to explore the test arena more (p < 0.10). During the separation test in the home pen, no behavioural differences between GH and SH sows could be obtained. During the separation test in the test arena, all sows remained near the piglet nest with their piglets. Furthermore, SH sows walked more (p < 0.05), while GH sows explored the test arena more frequently (p < 0.05). In the reunion test in the home pen, GH sows tended to vocalise more frequently (p < 0.10). No behavioural differences could be found between GH and SH sows in the reunion test in the test arena. Regarding total piglet losses (e.g. crushing, underweight, runting, spay legs), GH sows had lower total losses compared to SH sows (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GH sows crushed fewer piglets than SH sows (p < 0.05). To conclude, GH sows showed stronger behavioural reactions in the home pen and SH sows in the test arena. Thus, the housing system has an effect on maternal behaviour. Further research is needed to obtain more information, if the significantly lower piglet losses of GH sows are related to the stronger maternal reactions in the home pens of these sows and to the housing conditions ante partum.

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