Original Source

Locomotion Disorders and Skin and Claw Lesions in Gestating Sows Housed in Dynamic versus Static Groups

PLoS ONE

Volume: 11: e0163625. Issue: 9

28 SEP 2016

Bos, E-.J., Maes, D., van Riet, M. M. J., Millet, S., Ampe, B., Janssens, G. P. J., et al.

9

Yes

From the source: "This study was funded by the Institute for Promotion of Innovation through Science and Technology in Flanders, Belgium (IWT, Grant Number 090938) and co-funded by Orffa, VDV Beton, Boerenbond, AVEVE, INVE, and Boehringer Ingelheim. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript."

From the source: "The authors have declared that no competing interests exist."
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Summary

This study evaluated the effect of static and dynamic grouping on lameness, skin & claw incidence in gestating sows. The dynamic group is characterized by possible bouts of mixing of sows while the static group remains the same, except when there is cause for removal which occurs without replacing the removed sow. The result showed that new problems with locomotion and new skin lesions were highest after moving from individual to group housing, for both the static and dynamic conditions. At the end of the housing periods, the static group had fewer locomotion problems, fewer skin lesions, and fewer new incidences of lameness (compared to pre-study) than the dynamic group. There was no difference between the groups on the presence of claw lesions, and a majority of sows (75.5%), regardless of group, displayed these issues. A strength of this study was the relatively long observation period (three consecutive reproductive cycles), allowing for patterns of behavior to develop. A limitation of this study is the possible variations in practices at the different farms where pigs were housed. This study implies that the first three days of grouping sows have the highest risk for lameness and skin lesions.

Lameness and lesions to the skin and claws of sows in group housing are commonly occurring indicators of reduced welfare. Typically, these problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Group management type (dynamic versus static) and stage of gestation influence the behavior of the animals, which in turn influences the occurrence of these problems. The present study compared prevalence, incidence and mean scores of lameness and skin and claw lesions in static versus dynamic group housed sows at different stages of gestation during three consecutive reproductive cycles. A total of 10 Belgian sow herds were monitored; 5 in which dynamic groups and 5 in which static groups were utilized. All sows were visually assessed for lameness and skin lesions three times per cycle and the claws of the hind limbs were assessed once per cycle. Lameness and claw lesions were assessed using visual analogue scales. Static groups, in comparison with dynamic groups, demonstrated lower lameness scores (P<0.05) and decreased skin lesion prevalence (24.9 vs. 47.3%, P<0.05) at the end of gestation. There was no difference between treatment group regarding claw lesion prevalence with 75.5% of sows demonstrating claw lesions regardless of group management. Prevalences of lameness (22.4 vs. 8.9%, P<0.05) and skin lesions (46.6 vs. 4.4%, P<0.05) were highest during the group-housed phase compared to the individually housed phases. Although the prevalence of lameness and skin lesions did not differ three days after grouping versus at the end of the group-housing phase, their incidence peaked during the first three days after moving from the insemination stalls to the group. In conclusion, the first three days after grouping was the most risky period for lameness incidence, but there was no significant difference between static or dynamic group management.