Naslov
Behaviour of breeding sows 24 hours before weaning

Autori
Krsnik, Boris ; Petak, Irena ; Konjević, Dean ; Balenović, Tomislav

Izvornik
Stočarstvo (0351-0832) 59 (2005), 1; 3-12

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
behaviour; sows; weaning

Sažetak
A number of 30 sows of different age and breed composition, accommodated in farrowing crates with piglets aged 27-28 days were observed, 24 hours before weaning. The partitions bars were removed from one side of the crate at 8th to 10th day after farrowing. Five sows' body positions were observed (lying on the left side, on the right side, on stomach, the sitting position and the standing position). Statistical analysis showed differences between the observed sow groups regarding the duration of the lying position on the right side (the 1st group differed from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, while there was none for the 5th and 6th group) and the sitting position (only group 2 and 3 differed). The sows were lying for a shorter period of time than sows with suckling piglets and spent longer time in the sitting and standing position. Sitting was the dominant position of all noted positions of all noted positions, while the remaining observed activities (drinking, urinating, sniffing, rooting, scratching) were only short and happened, mostly, before and after feeding. It would be convenient to enable the sows some premise where they can remove from the piglets when they wish to do so, improving thus to their welfare and, although, earlier return of the sow to estrus would, enable a more successful production.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Veterinarska medicina

POVEZANOST RADA