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The development of skin, claw and teat lesions in sows and piglets in farrowing crates with two concrete flooring materials

The development of skin, claw and teat lesions in sows and piglets in farrowing crates with two... Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate lesions in sows and their piglets kept on two flooring materials – bare concrete and concrete coated with polyurethane containing sand. In total, 13 lactations on concrete and 11 on polyurethane were evaluated. The severity of skin lesions was scored and teat and claw lesions were recorded. The sand-filled coating was rougher compared to the concrete floor. Larger litter sizes were associated with a higher proportion of wounded teats in sows. Only seven of the 230 piglets had no skin lesions. The piglet skin lesions generally healed, since the number of more severe lesions decreased (p<0.001) and the number of less severe lesions (p<0.001) increased over time. Piglet lesions were associated with daily weight gain and litter size. The number of skin lesions on sows and piglets did not differ between animals kept on concrete and polyurethane-covered flooring. However, piglets kept on the latter flooring had more frequent claw lesions. On both types of flooring the majority of the piglets had skin lesions. Piglets had more claw lesions on polyurethane coating due to its roughness. In addition to the possibility of lower weight gains in piglets due to severe lesions, pig skin lesions are themselves a severe welfare problem in this type of housing system. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Acta Agri Scand A Animal Sci Taylor & Francis

The development of skin, claw and teat lesions in sows and piglets in farrowing crates with two concrete flooring materials

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The development of skin, claw and teat lesions in sows and piglets in farrowing crates with two concrete flooring materials

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate lesions in sows and their piglets kept on two flooring materials – bare concrete and concrete coated with polyurethane containing sand. In total, 13 lactations on concrete and 11 on polyurethane were evaluated. The severity of skin lesions was scored and teat and claw lesions were recorded. The sand-filled coating was rougher compared to the concrete floor. Larger litter sizes were associated with a higher proportion of wounded teats in...
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Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Copyright
Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
ISSN
1651-1972
eISSN
0906-4702
DOI
10.1080/09064700701285065
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate lesions in sows and their piglets kept on two flooring materials – bare concrete and concrete coated with polyurethane containing sand. In total, 13 lactations on concrete and 11 on polyurethane were evaluated. The severity of skin lesions was scored and teat and claw lesions were recorded. The sand-filled coating was rougher compared to the concrete floor. Larger litter sizes were associated with a higher proportion of wounded teats in sows. Only seven of the 230 piglets had no skin lesions. The piglet skin lesions generally healed, since the number of more severe lesions decreased (p<0.001) and the number of less severe lesions (p<0.001) increased over time. Piglet lesions were associated with daily weight gain and litter size. The number of skin lesions on sows and piglets did not differ between animals kept on concrete and polyurethane-covered flooring. However, piglets kept on the latter flooring had more frequent claw lesions. On both types of flooring the majority of the piglets had skin lesions. Piglets had more claw lesions on polyurethane coating due to its roughness. In addition to the possibility of lower weight gains in piglets due to severe lesions, pig skin lesions are themselves a severe welfare problem in this type of housing system.

Journal

Acta Agri Scand A Animal Sci – Taylor & Francis

Published: Dec 1, 2006

Keywords: Abrasiveness; farrowing; growth; nursing period; pig; roughness; wound

References

  • Leg injuries of piglets: a comparative study using three different floor types
  • Relationship between growth and non-nutritive massage in suckling pigs