Effects of Different Farrowing Environments on the Behavior of Sows and Piglets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The farrowing crate has long been a severe welfare problem of sows as its space restriction greatly impairs the behavioral expression of sows and induces long-term stress. We aimed to investigate the behavioral pattern of sows and piglets reared under different farrowing systems a farrowing crate and free farrowing pens with sloping walls with or without nest materials. Sows and piglets in free farrowing pens had a higher level of activity and lower level of performing abnormal behaviors. Providing nest material enhanced the beneficial effect of free farrowing system on the behavior of sows and piglets. These results encourage us to introduce the free farrowing systems to the pig industry and thus improve the welfare condition of farrowing sows. However, improved managements should be investigated as the piglet loss in the free farrowing systems tended to be higher than that in the farrowing crate system. ABSTRACT: We investigated the effect of different farrowing systems on the behavior of sows and piglets. In total, 22 hybrid sows (Yorkshire × Landrace) were randomly assigned into three farrowing systems, farrowing crate (FC), free farrowing pen with sloping walls (FFS), and free farrowing pen with sloping walls and nest materials (FFSN). The FFS and FFSN sows were more active, and exhibited less abnormal behaviors compared with the FC sows before and after parturition. FFS and FFSN piglets were more active compared with FC piglets. The increased activity of the FFS and FFSN sows might encourage the activity of their piglets, resulting in more proximity to sow behavior of their piglets. Providing nest materials improved the investigative behavior of sows and piglets. The total mortality of piglets in the free farrowing systems tended to be higher compared with the farrowing crate system. In conclusion, free farrowing system has beneficial effects on the behavior of sows and piglets but extra care in management needs to be taken to avoid piglet loss. Adding nest material in the farrowing pens is suggested to enrich the behavioral pattern of sows and piglets.