The development of unrestricted, group farrowing systems for sows
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| Title: | The development of unrestricted, group farrowing systems for sows |
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| Authors: | Burke, Jean |
| Summary: | This thesis examines the activities of four groups of four sows, allocated to one of two space allocations, in a novel farrowing system design, over parturition and during lactation. The two pen configurations provided 13.4m² (L) and 8.6m² (S) per sow, respectively. A lactation diet providing 14MJ/kg DE and 18% CP was supplied ad libitum via a sow operated feeder, adapted to facilitate the calculation of individual feed intakes. The influence of environmental, physical, management and production factors upon the way in which sows allocated their time to different activities, suckling behaviour, feed intakes and feeding and drinking strategies was investigated. Sows in the small pen area were generally less active than those housed in the large pen configuration. During the first week of lactation, significantly more time was spent lying down (P |
| URL: | https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245746 |
| Database: | OpenDissertations |
| Abstract: | This thesis examines the activities of four groups of four sows, allocated to one of two space allocations, in a novel farrowing system design, over parturition and during lactation. The two pen configurations provided 13.4m² (L) and 8.6m² (S) per sow, respectively. A lactation diet providing 14MJ/kg DE and 18% CP was supplied ad libitum via a sow operated feeder, adapted to facilitate the calculation of individual feed intakes. The influence of environmental, physical, management and production factors upon the way in which sows allocated their time to different activities, suckling behaviour, feed intakes and feeding and drinking strategies was investigated. Sows in the small pen area were generally less active than those housed in the large pen configuration. During the first week of lactation, significantly more time was spent lying down (P |
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