One of the main reasons for the high mortality rate is the crushing of piglets – it is estimated to account for 45% of live born piglet deaths. Crushing usually occurs within the first three days after birth.
The piglets considered to be the most at risk are the smallest ones. However, large piglets also fall victim; about 70% of crushing mortality happens to healthy piglets.
Farrowing crates were invented to provide piglet protection from crushing by restraining the sow. Unfortunately, even within farrowing crate systems there is large variation in the amount of crushing that occurs.
The biggest cause of crushing of piglets is when the sow moves from standing to lying, or when she rolls over while already lying. It is the speed at which a sow lies down that is likely most related to risk of crushing. If the sow flops down, by dropping her hindquarters quickly to the floor, piglets may not have a chance to run away.
Rolling
Studies carried out in Denmark found that providing nesting materials reduced crushing by rolling on the third day after birth. Although there was no difference in the amount of rolling, 60% of sows without nest materials crushed piglets by rolling as opposed to 0–14% of sows with access to sand and/or straw.
Sows with overgrown hooves are also more likely to show a lying behaviour that differs from the normal lying-down behaviour sequence. Therefore management practices to reduce lameness and promote good hoof health will not only improve the welfare of the sow, but optimise her ability to wean a high percentage of piglets.
Summary
Sows should be monitored closely during farrowing and immediately after birth, to identify piglets at risk of crushing.A quiet, non-stressful environment is important to reduce sow stress levels and standing and lying transitions. Some sows do not perform mothering behaviour as well as others. Records of crushing over several lactations should be monitored.Keeping lameness to a minimum will help the sow to perform careful lying movements and reduce crushing.To read more about pigs seehere
One of the main reasons for the high mortality rate is the crushing of piglets – it is estimated to account for 45% of live born piglet deaths. Crushing usually occurs within the first three days after birth.
The piglets considered to be the most at risk are the smallest ones. However, large piglets also fall victim; about 70% of crushing mortality happens to healthy piglets.
Farrowing crates were invented to provide piglet protection from crushing by restraining the sow. Unfortunately, even within farrowing crate systems there is large variation in the amount of crushing that occurs.
The biggest cause of crushing of piglets is when the sow moves from standing to lying, or when she rolls over while already lying. It is the speed at which a sow lies down that is likely most related to risk of crushing. If the sow flops down, by dropping her hindquarters quickly to the floor, piglets may not have a chance to run away.
Rolling
Studies carried out in Denmark found that providing nesting materials reduced crushing by rolling on the third day after birth. Although there was no difference in the amount of rolling, 60% of sows without nest materials crushed piglets by rolling as opposed to 0–14% of sows with access to sand and/or straw.
Sows with overgrown hooves are also more likely to show a lying behaviour that differs from the normal lying-down behaviour sequence. Therefore management practices to reduce lameness and promote good hoof health will not only improve the welfare of the sow, but optimise her ability to wean a high percentage of piglets.
Summary
Sows should be monitored closely during farrowing and immediately after birth, to identify piglets at risk of crushing.A quiet, non-stressful environment is important to reduce sow stress levels and standing and lying transitions. Some sows do not perform mothering behaviour as well as others. Records of crushing over several lactations should be monitored.Keeping lameness to a minimum will help the sow to perform careful lying movements and reduce crushing.To read more about pigs seehere
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