Multiple risk factors for return to oestrus in group housed sows; a case study

T.J. Tobias, R E W van Eijndhoven, Fokko Klip, Elise Wessels, A. van Nes

    Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractOther research output

    Abstract

    Background: For three years in a row, a 600 head sow farm encountered many sows that irregularly returned to oestrus (15% average (range (0 – 50% per week group) at median 31 days after insemination. Sows are housed in small stable groups (30 sows) with one electronic sow feeder per group. Methods: We analysed the computerised data, inspected the housing, feed(ing) and the sows. Additionally gestating sow behaviour was analysed from video recordings. Results: Data analyses: For return to heat, there were no associations with season, sow parity and total born piglets in previous litter. Sows with >13 weaned pigs had higher odds to return to oestrus during next breeding. The number of total born piglets of the second parity sows was too low. Animal inspection: Lactating sows showed more than 4 mm loss in back fat during lactation, known to be associated with return to oestrus (1). Data analyses suggested that some sows are inseminated while not being in heat, which was confirmed during inspection of insemination. Housing analyses: Overcrowding (<143%) was observed in some groups (2). Video analyses showed that sows expressed a great deal of distress around feeding stations. The entry gates of some feeding stations malfunctioned, resulting in sows being chased out of the feeding box by the next sow before their portion was eaten. Finally, aerial ammonia levels between gestating sows were found up to 84 ppm (2). Analyses of feed management: 84% of lactating sows were fed below the recommended energy intake levels. Too many sows were observed with mastitis post-partum and also ambient temperature of the farrowing unit was too high (>24°C). Environmental heat and low feed intake in early lactation are known to reduce embryonic survival after next breeding (3). Finally, gilt feeding was suboptimal, resulting in too low body weight and condition at first insemination (1). Discussion and conclusion: Multiple management related risk factors for increased return to heat were detected on one farm. These factors may induce chronic stress which is known to be a major risk factor for loss of pregnancy in sows (2). When sows do not express clinical signs of disease during early gestation, these management factors should be thoroughly investigated first, before considering infectious pathogens as a cause. Whereas it is debated whether group housing is a risk for abortions and return to heat due to ingestion of placental material, this case shows that many other risk factors should be investigated and improved first. A follow-up on this case will be presented. (1) Whittemore; Livestock Prod. Sci. 1996 (2) Spoolder et al.; Livestock Sci. 2009 (3) Kirkwood et al.; Can, Journ. An. Sci., 1987
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication statusPublished - 22 Apr 2015
    Event7th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management - Nantes, France
    Duration: 22 Apr 201524 Apr 2015

    Conference

    Conference7th European Symposium of Porcine Health Management
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    CityNantes
    Period22/04/1524/04/15

    Bibliographical note

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