STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF MODIFIED FARROWING FACILITIES ON PIGLET MORTALITY & SOW WELFARE IN LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE PIGS
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Date
2024
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Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the efficiency of different farrowing facilities. viz. Conventional farrowing crate. Guard rail model and a Modified farrowing crate on piglet mortality and welfare of sows. Eighteen Large White Yorkshire sows of different parity were selected and six sows each were placed in one of the farrowing facilities as they are near parturition. There was significant effect (P<0.0l) of farrowing facility on the litter size. number of piglets born alive and the weight of piglet at birth. The litter size at weaning was highest in modified farrowing crate (9 i 0.54) followed by conventional farrowing crate (7.6 ± 0.11) and guard rail model (5.7 ± 0.25) of farrowing facility. However, the average daily weight gain of piglets remained the same. The different body postures viz., standing. sitting, sternal lie and lateral lie by the sow during the last three days of gestation varied significantly. The overall pre weaning mortality of piglets in this study was 15.82 per cent with highest mortality seen in the first week after birth. The highest pre weaning mortality was seen in guard rail model (71.43 per cent) followed by conventional farrowing crate (17.86 percent) followed by modified farrowing crate (10.71 per cent). Faecal samples were collected from the sows at various stages when placed in the farrowing facilities. No significant difference (P>0.0S) was found in modified farrowing crate regarding the faecal cortisol concentration of sows indicating that not much stress was experienced by the sows with respect to the farrowing facility. The results indicated that the modified farrowing crate with hinged sides and nest box helped in reducing the mortality of piglets due to crushing and at the same time provided better comfort to the sows as well.