• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권10호
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• pp.1512-1518
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• 2015

This experiment was conducted to assess the welfare and productivity of gestating gilts in groups with the electronic sow feeding (ESF) system compared to conventional stalls. A total of 83 gilts ($Yorkshire{\times}Landrace$) were housed into individual stalls to be artificially inseminated. Gilts confirmed pregnant were introduced to their treatment, conventional stalls (ST) or groups with the ESF system. All gilts were taken to the farrowing crates one week prior to their expected farrowing date. In the gestation period, there were no significant differences between gilts allocated to ST and ESF on growth performance. However, backfat thickness gain (p = 0.08) and body condition score (BCS) at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.10) tended to be higher in ESF gilts than ST. Likewise, gilts housed in group showed significantly higher estimated body muscle contents at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.02) and body muscle change during gestation (p = 0.01). There was a trend for a shorter parturition time in ESF gilts (p = 0.07). In the lactation period, group housed gilts showed a tendency to increased BCS changes (p = 0.06). Reproductive performance did not differ with the exception of piglet mortality (ST = 0.2 no. of piglets vs ESF = 0.4 no. of piglets; p = 0.01). In blood profiles, ST gilts showed a higher cortisol level at 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Weaning to estrus interval was shorter in gilts housed in ESF than ST (p = 0.01). In locomotory behaviors, ESF gilts recorded a tendency to elevate locomotion score at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.07, p = 0.06, and p = 0.06, respectively). Similarly, ESF gilts showed significantly higher incidence of scratches at 36, 70, and 110 days of gestation (p = 0.01). Moreover, farrowing rates were higher in stall treatment (97.6%) compare to group housing treatment (95.2%). In conclusion, while group housed gilts with ESF system positively affected welfare status in combination with less physiologically stressful environments and activity, it negatively effects piglet mortality, farrowing rates and injuries of gilts.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제59권4호
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• pp.181-185
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• 2019

The traditional calculation of gestation length (GL) in Holstein cows relies solely on the insemination day and has a high error rate for actual calving dates. The present study was conducted to develop a more accurate method of estimating GL. Among 3,578 Holstein cows, the number of fetuses had a significant (p < 0.05) effect, with GLs of 282.4 ± 2.5 days for singletons and 276.0 ± 1.6 days for twins. Within the singleton group, the GLs were 284.6 ± 1.9 days for males and 280.3 ± 1.5 days for females, a significant difference (p < 0.05). However, within the twin group, there was no difference in GLs among twin males, twin females, or twins of both sexes. Gestation was significantly shorter for singleton males born from June to August but significantly longer for twin males born in the May to June period (p < 0.05). Neither parity nor housing type was associated with any significant difference in GL. In order to predict the calving dates of Holstein cows accurately and improve their management, calculations should consider the number and sex of fetuses as well as the insemination season.

• 한국축산시설환경학회지
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the housing design on the feeding behaviors of group housed pregnant sows. A total of 65 sows (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) were employed into 2 experimental sow housing with different housing design. Lying area of one of sow housing was designed with concrete fence to give the shelter for weak sows. The other was floor type without any obstacles. Group housed sows were fed using electronic sow feeder (ESF) during gestation. Daily feeding pattern of sows was automatically recorded in ESF feeder program. Most sows ate all feed during night. Daily visiting frequency to ESF of sows in pig pen with the shelter was significantly lowered than sows in floor type pen. This study showed that the housing design of group housed sow pen could fairly impact ESF utilization of sow.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.644-649
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• 2003

The effects of housing and nutrition on the performance of first lactation sows of the Nepalese Pakhribas breed were investigated. A total of 36 sows, from a previous experiment on nutrition during gilt rearing, were allocated according to a factorial design with 2 levels of nutrition, 60 or 80% of the calculated lactation requirement, and two types of housing, traditional or improved. The mean live weight loss of sows during lactation was reduced to a slightly greater extent by improved housing (p<0.05) than by better nutrition (p<0.10). There was also a significantly lower loss of $P_2$ backfat thickness (p<0.05) and mean body condition score (p<0.05) for sows on the higher plane of nutrition. Piglet weight gain in early and mid lactation was influenced by gestation feeding of the gilt (p<0.10) and by housing (p<0.05). Late lactation gain was influenced only by lactation feeding (p<0.05). In consequence, piglet weight at 42 day weaning was increased to a similar extent by improved housing (p<0.05) and better lactation nutrition (p<0.01). Significantly more sows were remated by day 10 after weaning from a higher level of rearing nutrition ($x^2=13.57$, p=0.001), and from improved housing and improved lactation (both $x^2=4.57$, p=0.033). It is concluded that, under Nepalese village conditions, improvements in housing may be a more cost effective way of improving sow performance than expenditure on additional feed resources.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제35권12호
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• pp.1817-1826
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• 2022

Public concern on the methods of raising food-producing animals has increased, especially in the last two decades, leading to voluntary and mandated changes in the animal production methods. The primary objective of these changes is to improve the welfare of farm animals. The use of gestational stalls is currently a major welfare issue in swine production. Several studies assessed the welfare of alternative housing systems for gestating sows. A comparative study was performed with gestating sows housed in either individual stalls or in groups in a pen with an electronic sow feeder. This review assessed the welfare of each housing system using physiological, behavioral, and reproductive performance criteria. The current review identified clear advantages and disadvantages of each housing system. Individual stall housing allowed each sow to be given an individually tailored diet without competition, but the sows had behavioral restrictions and showed stereotypical behaviors (e.g., bar biting, nosing, palate grinding, etc.). Group-housed sows had increased opportunities to display such behavior (e.g., ability to move around and social interactions); however, a higher prevalence of aggressive behavior, especially first mixing in static group type, caused a negative impact on longevity (more body lesions, scratch and bite injuries, and lameness, especially in subordinate sows). Conclusively, a more segmented and diversified welfare assessment could be beneficial for a precise evaluation of each housing system for sows. Further efforts should be made to reduce aggression-driven injuries and design housing systems (feeding regimen, floor, bedding, etc.) to improve the welfare of group-housed sows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제62권2호
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• pp.218-226
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• 2020

The present study investigated the effects of loose farrowing type during gestation and after farrowing on reproductive performance and of lactating sows. A total of 22 primiparous sows (Landrace; average initial body weights [BW], 228.54 ± 12.79 kg) were allotted to one of two treatments on the basis of body weight. Sows were divided into two experimental groups, conventional farrowing crates (CON), and loosed-farrowing pens (LFP). The experiment duration was around 38 days ranging from 10 days before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Gestating sows at the age of 105 d were placed in gestational stalls (group housing). All the sows were fed a common diet according to the National Research Council requirements for lactation. Cross-fostering was performed within 1 day of parturition. From 1 day after weaning, estrus detection was performed twice-daily (0900 and 1730 h) for 10 min by boar exposure. There were significant effects of LFP housing type on the farrowing duration, and farrowing interval. At the farrowing time, none of the litter parameters including total born, stillborn, mummy, born alive piglets and total litter weight and piglet weight were affected. There were no effects of housing type on the mortality of piglets at d 1, 3, 7, 21, and 28. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that there is no performance difference between the crated or LFP sows, which indicate that the LFP housing has the potential to be used as an alternative to the crated house without any detrimental effects in reproduction performance of lactating sows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.199-210
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• 2021

A number of management issues can be used as drivers for change in order to improve animal welfare and nursing capacity of the hyperprolific sow. Group housing of sows during gestation is a recommended practice from the perspective of animal welfare. Related health issues include reproductive health and the locomotor system. It appears that management of pregnant sows in groups is challenging for a producer and considerable skill is required. We explored the benefits and challenges of group housing, including feeding issues. Increasing litter size requires additional attention to the mammary gland and its ability to provide sufficient nursing for the growing litter. We discuss the fundamentals of mammary development and the specific challenges related to the hyperprolific sow. We also address challenges with the farrowing environment. It appears that the old-fashioned farrowing crate is not only outdated in terms of welfare from the public's perspective, but also fails to provide the environment that the sow needs to support her physiology of farrowing, nursing, and maternal behaviour. Studies from our group and others indicate that providing the sow with a loose housing system adequate in space and nesting material, along with reasonable chance for isolation, can be considered as fundamental for successful farrowing of the hyperprolific sow. It has also been shown that management strategies, such as split suckling and cross fostering, are necessary to ensure proper colostrum intake for all piglets born alive in a large litter. We thus conclude that welfare and nursing capacity of the sow can be improved by management. However, current megatrends such as the climate change may change sow management and force the industry to rethink goals of breeding and, for instance, breeding for better resilience may need to be included as goals for the future.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.769-773
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• 1998

Genetic advances, changes in housing systems and new management strategies have made it necessary to thoroughly review conventional nutritional programs. The approach has changed from one of feeding to permit gradual depletion of fat and protein tissues to one of feeding to maintain long-term nutritional balance. Increasingly the sow is viewed as a dynamic system that can be described by a mathematical model. There is opportunity to improve the initial models through research to provide a better understanding of metabolism and key physiological events in the sow's reproductive life. Direct experimentation remains a very important tool for defining nutritional requirements. Recent data supports increases in amino acid recommendations during lactation. Voluntary feed intake remains an intractable problem during lactation.

• 농업생명과학연구
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.163-168
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• 2012

본 연구의 목적은 강제환기가 적용되는 슬러리 돈사를 대상으로 돼지 생육 단계별 돈방 유형 측면과 계절적 조건에 따른 암모니아와 황화수소의 실내 농도를 측정 분석하여 정량화하는 데 있다. 임신/분만 돈방의 경우 봄철은 5.60(${\pm}2.48$) ppm과 178.4(${\pm}204.8$) ppb, 여름철은 2.51(${\pm}3.08$) ppm과 86.6(${\pm}112.5$) ppb, 가을철은 4.96(${\pm}2.84$) ppm과 182.3(${\pm}242.6$) ppb, 겨울철은 6.82(${\pm}3.42$) ppm과 206.3(${\pm}356.8$) ppb로, 자돈방의 경우 봄철은 7.18(${\pm}3.26$) ppm과 486.0(${\pm}190.2$) ppb, 여름철은 4.23(${\pm}2.95$) ppm과 206.4(${\pm}186.9$) ppb, 가을철은 7.02(${\pm}2.65$) ppm과 465.4(${\pm}156.8$) ppb, 겨울철은 9.25(${\pm}3.68$) ppm과 618.4(${\pm}298.3$) ppb로, 육성/비육 돈방의 경우 봄철은 9.26(${\pm}3.02$) ppm과 604.4(${\pm}186.8$) ppb, 여름철은 6.78(${\pm}3.88$) ppm과 312.5(${\pm}215.4$) ppb, 가을철은 9.34(${\pm}2.14$) ppm과 578.2(${\pm}248.1$) ppb, 겨울철은 14.65(${\pm}3.15$) ppm과 825.3(${\pm}316.9$) ppb로 분석되었다. 측정 결과 암모니아와 황화수소 모두 돼지 생육 단계별 돈사 유형 측면에서는 육성/비육 돈사>자돈사>임신/분만 돈사의 순서로 나타났고(p<0.05), 계절적 측면에서는 겨울>봄>가을>여름 순서로 조사되었으나 봄철과 가을철 데이터 간의 차이는 통계적으로 입증되지 않았다(p>0.05).