Jeong Yongdae, Choi Yohan, Kim Doowan, Kim Joeun, Min Yejin, Jung Hyunjung, Kim Younghwa
Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Cheonan 31000, Korea.
J Anim Sci Technol. 2020 Nov;62(6):875-883. doi: 10.5187/jast.2020.62.6.875. Epub 2020 Nov 30.
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of group-housing facility (GHF), compared to an individual confinement stall (CON), on the reproductive performance, behavior, and stress hormones of gestating sows. A total of 50 primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allocated into either CON (n = 25) or GHF (n = 25) during the gestation period. One week before parturition, the sows were transferred into conventional farrowing crates, and cross-fostering was conducted within 1 d of delivery. Blood was collected for analyses of stress indices at 75 d of gestation and postpartum. Reproductive performance was estimated during the period of birth to weaning. Behavior patterns were identified at 90 d of gestation. Litter size was not different between the CON and GHF treatments. Weaning to estrus interval, however, tended to be lower in the GHF than in the CON ( < 0.1). Activity, treating, belly nosing, and exploring behaviors were observed only in the GHF group, whereas rubbing was shown only with the CON. Serum cortisol concentration was lower in the GHF than in the CON at 75 d of gestation ( < 0.05). Sows housed in the GHF showed lower epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations than those housed in the CON at postpartum ( < 0.05). The GHF sows demonstrated more natural behavior characteristics associated with stress relief than the CON sows with no adverse effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, these results suggest that GHF could be applied as an alternative housing facility to improve animal welfare on swine farms.
本研究旨在调查与个体限位栏（CON）相比，群养设施（GHF）对妊娠母猪繁殖性能、行为和应激激素的影响。在妊娠期，将总共50头初产母猪（长白猪×约克夏猪）随机分为CON组（n = 25）或GHF组（n = 25）。分娩前一周，将母猪转移到传统的产仔箱中，并在分娩后1天内进行仔猪交叉寄养。在妊娠75天和产后采集血液用于应激指标分析。在出生至断奶期间评估繁殖性能。在妊娠90天时识别行为模式。CON组和GHF组的产仔数没有差异。然而，GHF组的断奶至发情间隔往往低于CON组（<0.1）。仅在GHF组观察到活动、啃咬、拱腹和探索行为，而仅在CON组观察到蹭痒行为。妊娠75天时，GHF组的血清皮质醇浓度低于CON组（<0.05）。产后，GHF组母猪的肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素浓度低于CON组（<0.05）。与CON组母猪相比，GHF组母猪表现出更多与缓解应激相关的自然行为特征，且对繁殖性能没有不利影响。因此，这些结果表明，GHF可作为一种替代饲养设施应用于猪场，以改善动物福利。
