Effects of Experience in Farrowing Crate on the Behavior and Physiological Indexes of Farrowing Sows

PurposeTo study the effects of different early farrowing crate’s experience on the behavior and physiological indexes of farrowing sows.

MethodA total of 168 Large White sows were divided into three types: first farrowing sows (0 time), multiparity farrowing sows 1-3 times, and multiparity farrowing sows 4-6 times. Under the same delivery room conditions and the same specifications of the farrowing crate sows of different types entered the farrowing crate on the first seven days before farrowing, tracking the behavior and physiological parameters of seven parities of sows continuously.

ResultSows were quieter in farrowing crate by increasing the time of farrowing in farrowing crate, the movement steps in unfamiliar farrowing environment was significantly decreased (P<0.05), and the time of lateral lying was significantly prolonged (P<0.05). The times of occurrence and duration of abnormal behaviors such as sitting, kneeling, false chewing and bar-biting were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, compared with the first sow, sows of multiparity 1-3 times and multiparity 4-6 times had lower body surface temperature during the same measurement period (P>0.05 or P<0.05), and slower heart rate (P<0.05 or P<0.01), blood oxygen saturation was also increased in general (P<0.05).

ConclusionWith the increase of the experience in farrowing crate, sows can adapt to the unfamiliar farrowing environment better by regulating their own behavior and physiological processes.