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Dry sow housing-induced anatomical differences and the effects on lying behaviour

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2017

J.N. Marchant  and
D.M. Broom
J.N. Marchant
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
D.M. Broom
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK
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Extract

Over the last few decades, the modern domestic pig has been genetically selected to maximise weight and length of back for meat production. Consequently, its body shape has changed and the physical acts of standing up and lying down have become difficult and relatively uncontrolled, even without any modification that housing systems may impose. Confined housing systems restrict the amount of exercise that locomotory muscles perform, and may affect muscular conformation and strength. It is possible, therefore, that confinement will decrease any element of muscular control during standing and lying, even further. The objective of this study was to determine any relationship between muscular conformation and time taken to lie down in sows housed in different dry sow systems.

Type
Pig Housing and Welfare
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1994 , March 1994 , pp. 185
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1994

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References

Baxter, M.R. & Schwaller, C. (1983) Space requirements for sows in confinement. In “Farm Animal Housing and Welfare” Curr. Top. Vet. Med. Anim.Sci. 24:181–195. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague.Google Scholar