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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330115
Title: Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing

Author
item LAO, FENGDAN - China Agricultural University
item Brown-Brandl, Tami
item STINN, JOHN - Iowa Select Farms
item TENG, G - China Agricultural University
item LIU, KAI - Agricultural University Of China
item XIN, HONGWEI - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2016
Publication Date: 7/1/2016
Citation: Lao, F., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Stinn, J.P., Teng, G., Liu, K., Xin, H. 2016. Sow lying behaviors before, during and after farrowing. Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International (ASABE), July 17-20, 2016, Orlando, Florida. ASABE Paper No. 162461921. doi:10.13031/aim.20162461921.

Interpretive Summary: One major challenge for the swine industry is piglet pre-weaning mortality. The interaction between sows and piglets is critical for piglet survivability. Few studies have investigated the impact of sows posture changes over the farrowing cycle. A study was designed to investigate posture changes in sows before, during, and after farrowing and to understand the impact of adding a heat lamp on posture changes. Analysis of data with 15 sows thus far reveals the following preliminary observations. The sows do not seem to have a preference of lying on one side vs. the other before farrowing regardless of absence or presence of a heat lamp on the side. However, the heat lamp in the creep area did impact the sows’ lying side in the first 3 days after farrowing. Therefore, lactating sows preferred to have her back toward the heat lamp, such a behavior is not in the best interest of the piglets’ well-being. The presence of heat lamp during the lactation period seemed to have some carryover effect on the sow’s lying posture when the heat lamp was tuned off with older piglets. There is a change in time spent in each posture, lying, sitting, standing, and moving, over the farrowing cycle. In particular, sow’s behaviors change sharply 24 h prior to farrowing, making it is possible to predict farrowing time by analyzing the behavioral changes with the automatic tracking system. More data are being collected.

Technical Abstract: Piglet pre-weaning mortality remains a considerable challenge for the swine industry, representing one of the key areas where animal well-being and economical interest coincide. Sows and piglets carry out a complex series of behaviors during the farrowing/lactation period. These behaviors during the first few days after parturition are extremely important for piglet survival, and they can be greatly impacted by the farrowing system, environment, and/or management. The risk of sow crushing is much greater for piglets when the sow changes her postures. Limited studies have investigated the effects of environment on sow’s posture changes or basic understanding of sow’s lying or other behavior patterns. Using a computer vision and analysis system, this study aims to characterize sows’ postural behaviors before, during and after farrowing to ultimately reduce pre-weaning piglet mortality and to understand the relationship between placement of localized heat source (heat lamp) and its impact on sows’ lying preference, if any. Analysis of data with 15 sows thus far reveals the following preliminary observations. The sows do not seem to have a preference of lying on one side vs. the other before farrowing regardless of absence or presence of a heat lamp on the side. However, heat lamp in the creep area significantly affects the sows’ lying side in the first 3 days after farrowing. Interestingly, the lactating sows demonstrated the postural behavior of facing more of her backside toward the heat lamp relative to before farrowing. Such a behavior would not be in the best interest of the piglets’ well-being. The presence of heat lamp during the lactation period seemed to have some carryover effect on the sow’s lying posture when the heat lamp was tuned off with older piglets. Sows change their behaviors (lying, sitting, standing, and movement) over the farrowing cycle. In particular, sow’s behaviors change sharply 24 h prior to farrowing, making it is possible to predict farrowing time by analyzing the behavioral changes with the automatic tracking system. More data are being collected.