The Effect of Lift Crates on Piglet Survival Rate and Sow Stress Level during Farrowing

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In intensive farms, the mortality of newborn piglets during farrowing is a critical aspect that represents a significant cause of economic loss in pig production, and the deaths, representing 5–25% of newborn piglets, depend mainly on starvation and crushing. In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of lift farrowing crates on piglet mortality by crushing and on sow welfare. Eighty-four sows of the same genetics were observed over three sessions for one year. Twenty-eight sows per session were randomly assigned to a room equipped with conventional crates or lift crates. No primiparous sows were considered in the study to avoid sows unexperienced with the dynamics of lift crates. The farm’s veterinarian assessed the number of crushed piglets within 48 h, 72 h, and at weaning. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was measured at the entry and the exit from farrowing to evaluate stress level variation. Feet diseases and backfat thickness were evaluated to assess sows’ potential diseases induced by lift crates and metabolic problems. The results show that the number of crushed piglets per sow was higher in the conventional crate rooms than the lift crate ones. Mean values of HCC variation in sows during farrowing were significantly different in the two housing systems and higher for the lift crate-housed sows. No significant differences were detected for backfat variation and feet disease scoring. In conclusion, sows housed in the lift crates evidenced an increase in hair cortisol values during farrowing, probably reflecting a higher stress status induced by the lift crate. ABSTRACT: In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of lift farrowing crates on piglet mortality by crushing and on sow welfare. Eighty-four sows were considered in the one-year experiment in three monitoring sessions. In each session, 14 sows were housed in a room with conventional crates (CC), and 14 sows were lodged in a room equipped with lift crates (LC). The sows, of the same genetics, with parity ranging from 2 to 9, were randomly distributed in CC and LC rooms. No primiparous sows were considered in the study to avoid sows unexperienced with the dynamics of lift crates. The numbers of crushed piglets, assessed by the farm’s veterinarian, within 48 h, 72 h, and at weaning (28th day), were recorded. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was measured upon entry and exit from farrowing to evaluate stress level variation. Feet diseases and backfat thickness were evaluated to assess sows’ potential diseases induced by lift crates and metabolic problems. The results show that the number of crushed piglets per sow was higher in the CC rooms than in the LC rooms in the first two days after delivery (0.39 vs. 0.15, p < 0.05) and up to weaning (0.50 vs. 0.37; p < 0.05). Mean values of HCC variation in sows during farrowing were significantly different in the two housing systems and higher for the LC sows (0.53 pg/mg vs. 0.22 pg/mg; p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected for backfat variation and feet disease scoring between LC and CC sows. In conclusion, LC sows evidenced an increase in hair cortisol values during farrowing, probably caused by a higher stress status induced by the lift crate, along with the benefit of the higher survival rate of piglets before weaning.