A comparison of temporary crating and farrowing crates on sow and piglet productivity

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12220%2F25%3A43911241" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12220/25:43911241 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

A comparison of temporary crating and farrowing crates on sow and piglet productivity

Original language description

Conventional farrowing crates (FC) are a mainstay in intensive pig production due to their efficacy in reducing piglet mortality. However, their design severely restricts sow movement and natural behaviours. Temporary crating (TC) systems, which confine sows only during farrowing and then provide freedom of movement, have been proposed as a welfare-friendly alternative; however, their impact on productivity under commercial conditions requires further evaluation.This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of a temporary crating system and conventional farrowing crates, focusing on the productivity outcomes of sows and piglets.The investigation was conducted on a commercial farm across six farrowing batches. A total of 47 sows were allocated to two treatment groups: 21 sows were housed in a TC system (confined from entry into the farrowing room until day 5 post-farrowing, after which the crates were opened), and 26 sows remained in FC for the entire lactation period. Data on reproductive performance and piglets productivity were collected and statistically analysed.Pre-weaning mortality (PWM%) was higher in the TC system (18.1%) compared to the FC system (14.7%) but not significantly different (p = 0.201), with crushing accounting for 9.68% of deaths in the TC system versus 4.03% in the FC system during the post-confinement period (from day 5 until weaning). Piglet weight at birth was significantly different in the FC group (1.33 kg) than in the TC group (1.21 kg) (p &lt; 0.001). However, this initial disparity did not persist through lactation. By weaning on day 25, no statistically significant difference in piglet weight was observed between the FC (6.23 kg) and TC (6.08 kg) groups (p = 0.207). All other parameters except parity were not significantly different. In conclusion, the TC did not result in a statistically significant increase in overall pre-weaning mortality compared to FC, despite a numerical rise. The similar piglet weights at weaning, despite initial weight differences, indicate that sows in the TC were able to adequately support litter growth once released from confinement.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

D - Article in proceedings

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40203 - Husbandry

Project

<a href="/en/project/QL24020161" target="_blank" >QL24020161: Economically and operationally suitable alternative housing for replacing cage technologies in farrowing sows while maintaining the viability of piglets</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Article name in the collection

Research in Pig Breeding – International Workshop

ISBN

978-80-7403-343-8

ISSN

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e-ISSN

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Number of pages

2

Pages from-to

7-8

Publisher name

Výzkumný ústav živočišné výroby, v.v.i., Praha Uhříněves

Place of publication

Praha

Event location

Kostelec nad Orlicí – Vrbice

Event date

Oct 9, 2025

Type of event by nationality

EUR - Evropská akce

UT code for WoS article

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