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Article
Effects of Farrowing Stall Layout and Number of Heat Lamps on Sow and Piglet Production Performance
Animals
  • Suzanne M. Leonard, Iowa State University
  • Hongwei Xin, Iowa State University and University of Tennessee, Knoxville
  • Tami M. Brown-Brandl, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Brett C. Ramirez, Iowa State University
  • Somak Dutta, Iowa State University
  • Gary A. Rohrer, United States Department of Agriculture
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
2-22-2020
DOI
10.3390/ani10020348
Abstract

Most farrowing facilities in the United States use stalls and heat lamps to improve sow and piglet productivity. This study investigated these factors by comparing production outcomes for three different farrowing stall layouts (traditional, expanded creep area, expanded sow area) and use of one or two heat lamps. Data were collected on 427 sows and their litters over one year. Results showed no statistical differences due to experimental treatment for any of the production metrics recorded, excluding percent stillborn. Parity one sows had fewer piglets born alive (p < 0.001), lower percent mortality (p = 0.001) and over-lay (p = 0.003), and a greater number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001) with lower average daily weight gain (ADG) (p < 0.001) and more uniform litters (p = 0.001) as compared to higher parity sows. Farrowing turn, associated with group/seasonal changes, had a significant impact on most of the production metrics measured. Number of piglets born influenced the percent stillborn (p < 0.001). Adjusted litter size had a significant impact on percent mortality (p < 0.001), percent over-lay (p < 0.001), and number of piglets weaned (p < 0.001). As the number of piglets weaned per litter increased, both piglet ADG and litter uniformity decreased (p < 0.001). This information can be used to guide producers in farrowing facility design.

Comments

This article is published as Leonard, Suzanne M., Hongwei Xin, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Brett C. Ramirez, Somak Dutta, and Gary A. Rohrer. "Effects of Farrowing Stall Layout and Number of Heat Lamps on Sow and Piglet Production Performance." Animals 10, no. 2 (2020): 348. DOI: 10.3390/ani10020348.

Access
Open
Rights
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Suzanne M. Leonard, Hongwei Xin, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Brett C. Ramirez, et al.. "Effects of Farrowing Stall Layout and Number of Heat Lamps on Sow and Piglet Production Performance" Animals Vol. 10 Iss. 2 (2020) p. 348
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brett-ramirez/32/