The influence of sequential and simultaneous feeding and the availability of straw on the behaviour of gilts in group housing

Authors

  • M. Krause
  • C.E. Van 'T Klooster
  • R.G. Bure
  • J.H.M. Metz
  • H.H. Sambraus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v45i1.524

Abstract

Effects of 2 feeding systems and the unlimited availability of straw in a rack on behaviour of 240 gilts, 6 months old, 110 kg liveweight, in group housing were studied. Four treatments were compared in triplicate; electronic feeding station for sequential feeding of sows with or without access to straw in a separate feeding rack (ESF with straw and ESF without straw, respectively), electronically controlled simultaneous feeding in boxes with or without straw available (FB with straw and FB without straw, respectively). Sows were active for 13.7, 13.5, 17.1 and 13.9% of their time in ESF with straw, ESF without straw, FB with straw and FB without straw, respectively, the interaction between feeding system and availability of straw being significant (P<0.01). Sows visited the feeding system 6, 6, 13 and 15 times daily in ESF with straw, ESF without straw, FB with straw and FB without straw, respectively. Synchronized eating of straw was higher in the FB system while synchronized use of the concentrate feeder was higher in the ESF system. There were more injuries on the hindquarters of sows in ESF treatments, the availability of straw having no effect. It is concluded the sequential feeding of group-housed juvenile pigs with an ESF causes serious behavioural problems.

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Published

1997-07-01

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 1 (1997)

Section

Papers

License

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