Body condition of pregnant sows housed in collective housing with different feeding systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v26i2.74117Keywords:
Animal welfare, matrices, swine, collective pens.Abstract
Landrace and Large White hybrid swine females were housed in collective pens during the gestation phase and submitted to different feeding systems. In one of the housing was used the manual feeding system, with feed provided directly on the floor. In the other, the electronic feeding system in a cage with free access Gestal 3G was installed. Two groups, composed of three matrices each, were separated by housing. The females were allocated according to their Body Condition Score (ECC) and birth order, seeking the homogeneity of the lots. The objective was to evaluate the variation of Body Weight (PC), ECC and Thickness of Bacon (ET) up to 107 days of gestation. For this purpose, CP and ECC measurements were performed every two weeks. ET was evaluated each 21 days. The data were submitted to descriptive and regression analysis over time. It was observed at the end of gestation that the group housed in the pens with an electronic feeding system showed less unevenness in relation to the PC and greater control of ECC. These results, added to the reduction of hierarchical disputes and for food competition, are important for maintaining the welfare of these females. Thus, automated feeding system proved to be important allies on the creation of pregnant swine matrices in collective pens.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors that wish to publish in AVS agree with the following conditions:
- To keep copyright of the article and allow the AVS to publish the first time. The article will be licensed by Creative Commons - Atribuição 4.0 Internacional allowing the sharing of their work.
- Authors may distribute their work by other channel of distribution (ex.: local or public repository).
- Authors have the permission to publish their work online, using different channels (similar to above), even before the final editorial process.











