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Behavioural characteristics of fatal piglet crushing events under outdoor conditions. Livest Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Liu K, Liu L, Tai M, Ding Q, Yao W, Shen M. Light from heat lamps affects sow behaviour and piglet salivary melatonin levels. Animal 2022; 16:100534. [PMID: 35561486 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The light environment regulates animal physiology and behaviour. As widely used supplementary heat sources in creep areas, the effect of visible light radiated by infrared heat lamps on pigs is worth investigating. To investigate the effects of light from heat lamps on the behaviour of sows and piglets and possible endocrine mechanisms, 24 primiparous sows were randomly assigned to three supplementary heat source treatments: (1) 250 W non-luminous ceramic heat lamps (CE, n = 8), (2) 175 W red heat lamps (RL, n = 8), and (3) 175 W transparent heat lamps (TL, n = 8). All heat lamps were turned off on Day 15 postpartum. Piglets were weighed on days 3 and 21 postpartum. The number and duration of suckling within 24 h were analysed via video recordings on days 4, 8, and 16 postpartum. Sow posture changes during the day and night were detected using the YOLOv4 target detection network model. One marked piglet from six litters randomly selected from each treatment was used for saliva collection. Saliva samples were collected at 0800, 1400, 2000, and 0200 (+1 d) on days 10 and 20 postpartum. The results showed that the mean postural change frequency of TL sows was higher than that of CE sows (P < 0.05), while that of RL sows was not different from that of CE and TL sows. However, the duration of the sows being in each posture was not affected by the treatment. The total suckling duration of TL piglets was significantly longer than that of CE piglets, but there was no significant difference in the performance of the piglets. The melatonin concentrations in the saliva of piglets at 10 and 20 days of age in the three treatments showed different diurnal rhythms, but there was no significant difference in the levels of melatonin in TL piglets between night and day. Differences in salivary cortisol levels only appeared between the CE and RL groups at 20 days of age. Based on the present results, the illuminance and spectrum of the transparent heat lamps were sufficient to stimulate sow activity and inhibit melatonin levels in piglets. However, the stimulating effect on suckling was not sufficient to significantly improve the performance of piglets. Exposure to red heat lamps, rather than ceramic lamps, resulted in the strongest circadian rhythm of salivary melatonin in piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China
| | - Longshen Liu
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China
| | - Meng Tai
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China
| | - Qi'an Ding
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China
| | - Wen Yao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China.
| | - Mingxia Shen
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China; Jiangsu Smart Animal Husbandry Equipment Technology Innovation Center, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210031, China
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Farmer C, Edwards SA. Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets. Animal 2022; 16 Suppl 2:100350. [PMID: 34801424 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Newborn piglets have a high incidence of preweaning mortality that is not only associated with low birth weights but also with the presence of intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) piglets. Such IUGR piglets are commonly seen in litters from hyperprolific sows as a result of insufficient placental transfer of nutrients. Nutritional strategies can be used prior to and during gestation to enhance foetal development and can also be implemented in the transition period to reduce the duration of farrowing and increase colostrum yield. Recent findings showed that the energy status of sows at the onset of farrowing is crucial to diminish stillbirth rate. Newborn piglets often fail to consume enough colostrum to promote thermostability and subsequent growth, and this is particularly problematic in very large litters when there are fewer available teats than the number of suckling piglets. One injection of 75 IU of oxytocin approximately 14 h after farrowing can prolong the colostral phase, hence increasing the supply of immunoglobulins to piglets. Nevertheless, assistance must be provided to piglets after birth in order to increase their chance of survival. Various approaches can be used, such as: (1) optimising the farrowing environment, (2) supervising farrowing and assisting newborn piglets, (3) using cross-fostering techniques, (4) providing nurse sows, and 5) providing artificial milk. Although research advances have been made in developing feeding and management strategies for sows that increase performance of their newborn piglets, much work still remains to be done to ensure that maximal outcomes are achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Farmer
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke R & D Centre, 2000 College St., Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada.
| | - S A Edwards
- Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
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Ramirez BC, Hayes MD, Condotta ICFS, Leonard SM. Impact of housing environment and management on pre-/post-weaning piglet productivity. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:6609155. [PMID: 35708591 PMCID: PMC9202573 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The complex environment surrounding young pigs reared in intensive housing systems directly influences their productivity and livelihood. Much of the seminal literature utilized housing and husbandry practices that have since drastically evolved through advances in genetic potential, nutrition, health, and technology. This review focuses on the environmental interaction and responses of pigs during the first 8 wk of life, separated into pre-weaning (creep areas) and post-weaning (nursery or wean-finish) phases. Further, a perspective on instrumentation and precision technologies for animal-based (physiological and behavioral) and environmental measures documents current approaches and future possibilities. A warm microclimate for piglets during the early days of life, especially the first 12 h, is critical. While caretaker interventions can mitigate the extent of hypothermia, low birth weight remains a dominant risk factor for mortality. Post-weaning, the thermoregulation capabilities have improved, but subsequent transportation, nutritional, and social stressors enhance the requisite need for a warm, low draft environment with the proper flooring. A better understanding of the individual environmental factors that affect young pigs as well as the creation of comprehensive environment indices or improved, non-contact sensing technology is needed to better evaluate and manage piglet environments. Such enhanced understanding and evaluation of pig–environment interaction could lead to innovative environmental control and husbandry interventions to foster healthy and productive pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett C Ramirez
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Morgan D Hayes
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Isabella C F S Condotta
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Suzanne M Leonard
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
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Götz S, Raoult CMC, Reiter K, Wensch-Dorendorf M, von Borell E. Lying, Feeding and Activity Preference of Weaned Piglets for LED-Illuminated vs. Dark Pen Compartments. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020202. [PMID: 35049824 PMCID: PMC8772733 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Knowledge about animal welfare-based lighting in pig farms is very limited, as there is little research on this topic. Legal requirements are often not scientifically supported and differ greatly among countries. However, negative effects of uncontrolled lighting on pig health and behaviour are known. In this study, the influence of different illuminance levels on the preference behaviour of pigs was determined. Piglets were given a free choice between two illuminance levels. We found that over time piglets preferred darker pen compartments to lie down and brightly lit ones to move around and defaecate. This knowledge could be used for future farm husbandry design and promotes the natural behaviour of pigs, thus reducing stress and promoting animal welfare. Abstract Little is known on the effect of light on pig behaviour. The choice behaviour of weaned piglets kept under two different light-emitting diode (LED) illuminance levels was investigated: 32 piglets (in two batches) were housed in a preference test room composed of two identical double pen units. One side of the pen unit was permanently illuminated with 600 lux, while the other was darkened to almost 0 lux (~0 lx); by using a passageway, piglets could move between the two sides. The “lying”, “eating” and “activity” behaviours were evaluated during three days in the first, third and fifth experimental week based on video recordings and a 5-min time sampling method. At first, piglets preferred to stay in the 600 lux illuminated compartments. Then, this preference decreased for the “eating” and “activity” behaviours and reversed for the “lying” behaviour, with the darkened compartments being preferred. The results also show that pen soiling was higher under 600 lux, but feed consumption was not affected by the illuminance. Since pigs choose between the two illuminance levels to perform specific behaviours, illuminance could be used to divide the pens into functional areas and, thus, help in meeting pigs’ behavioural needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Götz
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Ecology, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (E.v.B.); Tel.: +49-1629247587 (S.G.); +49-345-5522330 (E.v.B.)
| | - Camille M. C. Raoult
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Ecology, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Klaus Reiter
- Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Animal Husbandry, Prof.-Dürrwaechter-Platz 5, 85586 Poing, Germany;
| | - Monika Wensch-Dorendorf
- Department of Biometrics and Agricultural Informatics, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Karl-Freiherr-von-Fritsch-Str. 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Eberhard von Borell
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Ecology, Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Theodor-Lieser-Str. 11, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (S.G.); (E.v.B.); Tel.: +49-1629247587 (S.G.); +49-345-5522330 (E.v.B.)
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Higher light intensity and mat temperature attract piglets to creep areas in farrowing pens. Animal 2019; 13:1696-1703. [PMID: 30604656 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118003300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Loose farrowing pens have been considered as alternatives to crates to enhance sow welfare. A major concern with pen systems is often higher piglet pre-weaning mortality, especially due to crushing by the sow. An optimal management of light and mat surface temperature may promote greater piglet use of the creep, which has been associated with reduced piglet crushing. A total of 108 sows and their piglets were studied in sow welfare and piglet protection pens on a commercial piggery, across two replicates. Sows were randomly assigned to pens arranged within two creep treatments (bright creep: 300 lx v. dark creep: 4 lx), considering mat temperature as a covariate. Twelve sows and their litters in each treatment (24 in total) had their behaviour continuously recorded for 72-h postpartum (pp), and four focal piglets per litter were weighed on the first and third days pp. In situ behaviour observations were performed daily (from 0800 to 1700 h) on all sows and their litters, every 15 min over 72-h pp to record piglet time spent in the creep, latency to enter the creep for the first time, latency for the litter to remain in the creep for at least 10 min, and piglet and sow use of pen areas immediately in front of (A2) and farthest from the creep (A3). Piglets with access to bright creeps spent on average 7.2% more time (P<0.01) in the creeps than piglets in pens with Dark creeps. In addition, for each degree increase in mat temperature, piglets spent on average 2.1% more time (P<0.01) in the creep. Piglets in pens with bright creeps spent less time in A2 (P=0.04) and the least time in A3 (P=0.01). Light or mat temperature did not affect sow use of pen areas or piglet weight gain. Piglets with bright creeps tended (P=0.06) to take longer to enter the creep for the first time after birth, but the latency for 30.0% of the litter to remain clustered for 10 min tended (P=0.08) to be shorter in bright compared to dark creeps. Overall, piglet use of the creep increased with warm mat temperatures and brightness, which should be further investigated as potential strategies to promote piglet safety and reduce crushing in pen farrowing systems.
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Larsen M, Thodberg K, Pedersen L. Radiant heat increases piglets’ use of the heated creep area on the critical days after birth. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pedersen LJ, Larsen MLV, Malmkvist J. The ability of different thermal aids to reduce hypothermia in neonatal piglets. J Anim Sci 2017; 94:2151-9. [PMID: 27285711 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated whether hypothermia in newborn piglets could be reduced by applying different thermal aids. The experiment was performed on 150 newborn piglets from 24 sows. Right after birth, the piglets were moved to a wire mesh cage for the first 2 h of life where they experienced 1 of 7 different combinations of flooring (solid vs. slatted) and treatments: control, with no additional thermal aids on a solid floor ( = 26) or a slatted floor ( = 26); built-in floor heating ( = 31) or floor heating as a radiant floor plate on solid floor (FloorPlate; = 19); radiant heater above a solid floor (RadiantC; = 22) or a slatted floor (RadiantSlat; = 18); and provision of straw on a solid floor (Straw; = 8). Piglets' rectal temperature was measured both continuously and manually every 10 min for the first 2 h after birth using a thermal sensor inserted in the rectum of the piglets. The rectal temperature curve was analyzed for differences in the slope of the drop in rectal temperature and the deflection tangent of the curve. Furthermore, differences in average rectal temperature, minimum rectal temperature, rectal temperature 2 h after birth, and time with rectal temperature below 35°C were analyzed. All statistical analyses were performed using a mixed model. All thermal aids/heat solutions resulted in a less steep drop in rectal temperature, a faster recovery, and, for the smaller piglets, also a greater average rectal temperature (except for built-in floor heating) and less time with rectal temperature below 35°C. The most efficient thermal aids to reduce hypothermia in newborn piglets were Straw and RadiantC. Furthermore, Straw, RadiantC, and FloorPlate also eliminated the effect of birth weight on some of these indicators of thermoregulatory success. Otherwise, FloorPlate and RadiantSlat showed an intermediate outcome for most measures. With no heating, piglets on a solid floor experienced more severe hypothermia than piglets on a slatted floor. In conclusion, several types of thermal aids can reduce hypothermia in newborn piglets, but some are more efficient and can partly eliminate the effect of birth weight on hypothermia. These results are especially important in countries where breeding for large litter sizes has resulted in a reduction in average birth weight of the piglets and, thus, creates a greater demand for an early, adequate thermal environment to secure piglet viability.
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