Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Further investigation on the use of remote devices, such as thermo-cameras, is needed to
rapidly and successfully check the body temperature of piglets and sows.
10.10 Conclusions
Recent results on technologies applied to farrowing surveillance, may encourage farmers
to view farrowing more from the perspective of the sow and piglets. Benefits of using open
crates for farrowing are significant and denote how welfare of the animals often correlates
positively with economic benefit, as demonstrated by the lower number of stillborn piglets
in this type of housing. In many circumstances, it is possible to allow sows to farrow
in an open crate so that they can better express their nest-building behaviour, and only
after farrowing, to close the crate to protect the piglets from crushing. Adding roughage
a few days before farrowing would provide the sow with a substrate to better express
nest-building behaviour and, in the case of straw, would also provide a source of fibre
which can alleviate the state of constipation that arises around farrowing. Management of
farrowing in terms of pharmacological interventions should be carefully considered and
planned. Use of hormone preparations such as prostaglandins and oxytocin may have
adverse effects that need to be taken into account, therefore routine use of these hormones
and their analogues is not a wise strategy. Pain management, however, often appears as a
forgotten element in the management of farrowing and there is room for improvement.
Whenever abnormal nursing behaviour or refusal to nurse is observed, pain should be
considered as a potential cause and pain medication may be indicated. Constipation at
farrowing should be of greater concern to farmers, and results support the importance
of its prevention by increasing the use of dietary fibre during late pregnancy. Looking
more carefully for signs of constipation in the herd can be facilitated with individual daily
screening according to a qualitative faecal scoring. In the farrowing unit, daily evaluation
of the sow's faeces, especially recording days with absence of faeces, can provide the farmer
and veterinarian with a clear picture of the individual sow's state of constipation and allow
to correct it in a timely fashion. The sow's water intake in very late pregnancy, farrowing
and lactation is also a very important issue. Recent findings showed that sows fed a high-
fibre diet drank more water and reared heavier piglets during their first week after birth,
confirming how the adequate availability of water during this period is essential.
References
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Andersen, I., Haukvik, I. and Bøe, K., 2009. Drying and warming immediately after birth may
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