K. H. Kim, A. Hosseindoust, S. H. Lee, Y. H. Choi and B. J. Chae
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gestation housing type and options on the reproductive performance and the behavior of sows. In this experiment, effects of group housing period were evaluated for their reproductive performance and the behavior of sows. 48 Crossbred sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to one of three treatments (n = 16) over two consecutive parities. For each block, sows were assigned to standard stall (Stall; control) and moved to a free-access stall and pen (Group housing) 5 and 9 weeks before farrowing. In this experiment, effects of group housing period and the duration of group housing before farrowing were evaluated for their reproductive performance and the behavior of sows. In Entire experimental period, Backfat thickness change was decreased in group housing sows (5 and 9 weeks) compared with sows in stalls(0 week). And group housing sows resulted in higher feed intake and weaning to estrus interval, however, no difference between 5 and 9 weeks.Number and body weight of piglets at weanling, growth rate and ADG were increased in group housing sows compared with 0 week. However, there was no difference between 5 and 9 weeks. There was no difference between first and second times in ventral lying, lateral lying, sitting, standing and drinking. Similarly, there was no effect in ventral lying, lateral lying, sitting, standing and drinking on comparison of control and 5 week, control and 9 week treatments in gestation, except for walking which improved with group housing. In lactation, there was no difference between first and second times. However, farrowing duration and eating was significantly increased in 5 and 9 week treatments. Both 5 and 9 weeks group housing before farrowing showed better reproductive performance than stalled sows, but 9 weeks period showed the best performance and more recommendable to apply in farms.
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