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Unpublished Paper
Piglet Mortality in an Outdoor Farrowing Hut: What Contributes to their Demise Over the First 72-h After Parturition?
Animal Industry Report
  • Jill Garvey, Iowa State University
  • Anna K. Johnson, Iowa State University
  • Larry J. Sadler, Iowa State University
  • Kenneth J. Stalder, Iowa State University
  • John McGlone, Texas Tech University
Extension Number
ASL R2463
Publication Date
2009
Disciplines
Topic
Swine
Summary and Implications

Pre-weaning mortality has been estimated to cost the industry over $100 million/yr and is a serious animal wellbeing concern. The objective of this study were to determine behavior (nursing) and postures, (active and inactive) for piglets over the first 72-h after parturition when housed in an outdoor farrowing hut. No differences were found for nursing (P = 0.69), active (P = 0.52), inactive (P = 0.59) or unknown (P = 0.78) for piglets that were killed or not killed over the first 72-h after parturition. In conclusion there were no differences in the behavioral repertoire performed by outdoor loose housed piglets that resulted in their death by crushing over the first 72-h after parturition. Therefore, finding few behavioral differences between treatments may indicate that variation among sow behavior is a more significant cause of piglet rushing than variation among piglet behaviors.

Copyright Holder
Iowa State University
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-715
Language
en
Citation Information
Jill Garvey, Anna K. Johnson, Larry J. Sadler, Kenneth J. Stalder, et al.. "Piglet Mortality in an Outdoor Farrowing Hut: What Contributes to their Demise Over the First 72-h After Parturition?" (2009)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/kenneth_stalder/13/