Effect of alternative farrowing pens with temporary crating on the performance of lactating sows and their litters

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of alternative farrowing pens (AFPs) with temporary crating on the performance and behavior of lactating sows and their litters. A total of 64 multiparous sows were randomly divided into two groups and were allocated to farrowing crates (FCs) and AFPs. AFPs contained a crate and support bars that could be folded to provide the sows with extra space on day 5 postpartum. Behavior was recorded by charge-coupled device cameras and digital video recorders, and the data were scanned every 2 min to obtain an instantaneous behavioral sample. Farrowing systems did not affect feed intake, back-fat thickness, weaning-to-estrus interval, piglet birth weight, or piglet weaning weight (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no differences in the number of crushed piglets between the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). The sows spent most of their time lying down during the lactating period, at about 80% lateral recumbency and 10–15% ventral recumbency. The only significant differences were in the feeding and drinking behavior between sows in the two farrowing systems (p < 0.05). FC sows displayed more feeding and drinking behavior than AFP sows, especially in the late lactating period (p < 0.05). Piglets in FCs tended to spend more time walking than piglets in AFPs (p < 0.05), whereas there were no differences in suckling and lying behavior between piglets in the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). It is thus concluded that AFPs did not negatively affect the performance and behavior of lactating sows and their litters compared to FCs. The AFPs also seem to be a feasible alternative farrowing system for commercial farms. However, more detailed research is needed to find suitable housing designs to maximize productivity and animal welfare.