Behavior and performance of sows fed different levels of fiber and reared in individual cages or collective pens

Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências

FÁbio E.l. BudiÑo¹  Renata F.n. Vieira¹  Silvio P. Mello¹  Keila M.r. Duarte¹ 

关键词: swine;    animal welfare;    environmental enrichment;    housing systems;    suíno;    bem-estar animal;    enriquecimento ambiental;    sistemas de criação;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0001-3765201420140301

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Sixteen pregnant sows were used. The experimental design was completely randomized with a 2x2 factorial scheme consisting of two housing systems (individual cages and collective pens) and two diets (low [2.67%] and high [13.14%] level of crude fiber). Physiological, behavioral, environmental, and hormonal parameters were studied. In addition, the following productive and reproductive parameters were evaluated: weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion of the sow and piglets, number of piglets born dead and alive, number and weight at weaning, and backfat thickness of sows. Pregnant sows reared in collective pens and fed a high-fiber diet exhibited better physiological responses, indicating greater comfort and better animal welfare. The environmental variables were close to the comfort zone of the animals. In addition to providing a more comfortable environment, housing pigs in collective pens reduced stereotypy, permitting the sows to express a more natural behavior. The high-fiber diet did not interfere with female productive performance. Tifton hay can therefore be indicated as an alternative for the formulation of sow diets to improve animal welfare.

【 授权许可】

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