Biomedical subjects

T M Widowski

Publications and source records attributed to T M Widowski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of boar presence on agonistic behavior, shoulder scratches, and stress response of bred sows at mixing.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of boar presence on aggression, shoulder scratches, and salivary cortisol in group-housed sows during the period after mixing, which is when dominance hierarchies are formed. A total of 225 York-shire sows were used. Five groups of 15 sows were each exposed to 1 of 3 levels of boar presence (n = 15): physical (boar in pen with sows; 2.15 m2 per sow), fenceline (boar housed adjacent to sows; 2.3 m2 per sow), or control (no boar in the room; 2.3 m2 per sow). The experiment was divided into 2 phases. In phase 1, behavioral measurements were taken for 48 h after mixing and boar introduction. In phase 2, behavioral measurements were taken beginning on d 6 after mixing and included 24 h before and 48 h after boar removal. In phases 1 and 2, shoulder scratches were scored 24 h before and 24 h after mixing and boar removal, respectively. Saliva samples were collected each morning (0600 to 0700) and afternoon (1600 to 1700) during both phases. Frequencies of intersow aggressive contact (bite, body knock, and head knock) and threats as well as frequencies and durations of fighting bouts were determined from video recordings during daily feeding (49.6 +/- 1.4 min) and nonfeeding (21 +/- 0.2 h) periods. During phase 1, boar presence did not affect the frequency of threats during either the feeding or nonfeeding periods. Control groups had fewer aggressive contacts at feeding during the 25- to 48-h period compared with the fenceline groups (P = 0.01). Total duration of fighting and average fighting bout duration were unaffected by treatment. However, the number of fights occurring during feeding 25 to 48 h postmixing was lower in the physical groups than in the fenceline groups (P = 0.023); measures for the control groups were intermediate. Physical sows also received fewer shoulder scratches postmixing than did control sows (P = 0.048). After mixing, physical sows showed greater morning (P = 0.08) and afternoon (6 h postmixing, P = 0.01; 32 h postmixing, P = 0.08) salivary cortisol concentrations compared with fenceline sows, although they were only numerically greater than those for control sows. During phase 2, removing the boar did not increase fighting among sows or affect shoulder scratches or salivary cortisol concentrations. The presence of a boar was minimally effective at reducing fighting and scratches during the postmixing period, and sows showed a greater stress response in the presence of a boar.

Agonistic Behavior↗

PubMed2005

Effect of accommodating sucking and nosing on the behaviour of artificially reared piglets.

Neonatal piglets are often used in biomedical research applications that require artificial rearing. Social housing can be problematic because the piglets develop belly nosing, navel and ear sucking that can result in injury. Our objective was to determine the effectiveness of using feeding devices that provide various opportunities for sucking and nosing behaviour on reducing piglet-directed behaviour of group-housed laboratory piglets. Fifteen piglets were used in each of four trials. The piglets nursed their dam for approximately 72 h to obtain passive immunity before transfer to a laboratory facility where they were allotted, five per group, to one of three stainless steel isolator units. Each unit featured a different style of feeding system for the delivery of milk replacer: a plastic trough (T), a nipple (N) mounted on a smooth plexiglass wall, or a nipple mounted on a pliant bag of sterile water (artificial udder [AU]). Each system had five feeding spaces so that all piglets fed simultaneously. Milk was provided at 6-h intervals, and behaviour was recorded on alternate days for 12 days post-weaning. Although trough-fed piglets began to eat much sooner than those piglets fed from nipples, time spent nosing, chewing or sucking on pen-mates and belly nosing were markedly higher in T piglets than in either N or AU, overall (mean: P<0.05) and over time (quadratic: P<0.05). Over time, N piglets developed a stereotypic snout rubbing on the wall behind the nipples, while AU piglets massaged and often fell asleep in contact with the udder from day 2 of the trial. Resting patterns were also affected. N and AU piglets settled down to rest more quickly (P<0.01) and spent significantly more time resting in the hour following feeding than T piglets (P<0.05). A feeding device that accommodates both sucking and massage can significantly reduce piglet-directed behaviour and may facilitate social housing of artificially reared piglets.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2004

Effect of drinker type and sound stimuli on early-weaned pig performance and behavior.

Early-weaned pigs appear to be highly motivated to engage in motor patterns associated with nursing, which is thought to lead to the development of abnormal ingestive behaviors. If performance of these behaviors is related to sucking motivation, then the normal stimuli associated with nursing should stimulate pigs to perform these abnormal behaviors, specifically belly nosing. The goal of this study was to determine whether belly nosing could be affected by sow nursing vocalizations and whether the style of the drinker device influenced early-weaned pig behavior. Over six trials, 352 Yorkshire pigs were weaned at 15 d and assigned to pens (n = 44) of eight pigs based on litter, weight, and sex. Four pens in each of two rooms were outfitted with either a water nipple drinker or a drinker bowl. Rooms either had recorded sow vocalizations broadcast at hourly intervals or no sound (control). Pig behaviors were videotaped in a sample of pens (n = 32) on d 0, 1, 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, and 18 after weaning. On d 0 to 2, pigs were observed continuously for feeding and drinking behaviors. On d 5 to 18, pigs were observed by scan sampling every 5 min for time budgets. Pigs with drinker bowls had higher apparent feed intakes during the first 2 d after weaning (P = 0.024), whereas they spent less time engaged in drinking behavior (P = 0.001). This coincided with an overall lower water use (P = 0.001) than that of pigs with nipple drinkers. Pigs with bowl drinkers also spent less time belly nosing than those with access to a nipple drinker (P = 0.012). Pigs in the sow vocalization treatment tended to have a higher ADG (P = 0.075), whereas they spent less time performing feeding behavior (P = 0.064). However, there was no effect of sow nursing grunts on belly nosing. These results suggest that there is a complex relationship between feeding, drinking and sucking, and belly nosing is not controlled by the same external stimuli as sucking. Because drinker type and the motor patterns that it accommodates affect belly nosing, it may be that the internal stimuli associated with nursing, such as the actual act of sucking, play a large role in the development of abnormal oral-nasal behaviors.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2004

The effects of subacute ruminal acidosis on sodium bicarbonate-supplemented water intake for lactating dairy cows.

Four multiparous ruminally fistulated Holstein dairy cows were used in an 8-wk experiment utilizing a repeated measures block design to determine the effects of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on supplemented water intake. Animals were subjected to SARA, which was induced by replacing 25% of the ad libitum intake of the total mixed ration (dry matter basis) with 50:50 wheat:barley pellets utilizing a grain challenge model. Cows had free choice from 2 water bowls. One bowl contained water with sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplemented at 2.5 g/L. The other bowl contained unsupplemented water. Ruminal pH was monitored continuously during the trial using indwelling pH probes. The induction of SARA reduced daily mean ruminal pH and increased the duration when ruminal pH was below 6. The total mixed ration intake by the cows decreased during the SARA periods. The overall preference for SB-supplemented water did not change, as the preference ratio was similar during the control and SARA periods. During the period of greatest ruminal pH depression, total water intake was higher during the SARA periods than during the control periods. During SARA, there was no difference in the preference of a SB water source to unsupplemented water. During the period of day with the most severe ruminal pH depression, the lactating dairy cows subjected to SARA increased their total water intake.

Acidosis↗

PubMed2003

Exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone does not elicit a salt appetite in growing pigs.

In rodents, rabbits, and sheep, exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) leads to a marked increase in sodium appetite. It has been suggested that if pigs show a similar response to stress, an appetite for salt could increase their attraction to blood and contribute to the development of tail biting. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ACTH on salt appetite in growing pigs. Individually housed Yorkshire pigs (45 kg) were divided into three groups of four. Group 1 had free access to water, 0.5 M NaCl, and 0.5 M KCl solutions; Group 2 to water, 0.5, and 0.25 M NaCl solutions; Group 3 to water, 0.25, and 0.125 M NaCl solutions. Intramuscular injection of long-acting synthetic ACTH (50 IU twice daily for 5 days) did not elicit increases in intakes of any of the available salt solutions compared to pretreatment intakes. However, there was a 1.6-fold increase in both water and feed intake during ACTH treatment. ACTH treatment also stimulated significant increases in salivary cortisol concentrations. Although increases in salivary cortisol concentrations and in water and feed intake indicate that there were physiological responses to the treatment, exogenous ACTH given for 5 days did not elicit a sodium appetite in growing pigs. These findings do not support the notion that a stress-induced salt appetite serves as an underlying mechanism for tail biting.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2003

Short communication: Effects of subacute ruminal acidosis on free-choice intake of sodium bicarbonate in lactating dairy cows.

The effect of inducing subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) on the free-choice intake of sodium bicarbonate (SB) was investigated in four midlactation Holstein cows in a switchover experiment with four 1-wk periods. The SARA was induced by replacing 25% of the ad libitum intake of total mixed ration (TMR) with pellets containing 50% ground wheat and 50% ground barley and restricting access to TMR from 0700 to 1700 h. Control consisted of feeding TMR ad libitum. Powdered SB was provided for ad libitum consumption. Rumen pH was measured continuously using indwelling pH probes. Induction of SARA reduced (P < 0.05) the average daily rumen pH from 6.08 to 5.87, increased (P < 0.05) the average duration of rumen pH below 6 from 547 min x d(-1) to 916 min x d(-1), and increased (P < 0.05) the average duration of rumen pH below 5.6 from 132 min x d(-1) to 397 min x d(-1) (P < 0.05) but did not significantly affect SB intake. Average intake of SB was 26.8 g x d(-1) during SARA and 34.5 g x d(-1) during control. These low SB intakes must not have substantially affected rumen pH. Sodium bicarbonate intake differed significantly (P < 0.05) between cows. These data indicate that cows did not select SB in order to attenuate SARA.

Acidosis↗

PubMed2002

Effects of tail docking using a rubber ring with or without anesthetic on behavior and production of lactating cows.

Production and behavioral measures were recorded to determine the level of stress and pain associated with tail docking adult dairy cows with a rubber ring. The possible advantages of using an epidural anesthetic were also examined. Sixty-four lactating, mixed-parity, Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. The treatments were rubber ring docking with epidural anesthetic (RRA), rubber ring docking without anesthetic (RR), control with epidural anesthetic (CA), and control without anesthetic (C). Behavior was examined on d 0, +1, +2, and +6. Milk production and feed intake were monitored. Cows exhibited subtle behavioral changes following application of rubber rings, as well as after epidural administration on d 0 and tail amputation on d +6. After treatment on d 0, the RR, RRA, and CA groups displayed less tail shaking than the C group. The RR and RRA cows continued to exhibit less tail shaking on d +1, +2, and +6. Also on d 0, the RR and RRA groups held their tails in the raised position less than the C and CA groups. After amputation on d +6, the RR and RRA groups spent longer with their tails pressed to their bodies than the C and CA groups. No significant differences in milk production or feed intake were found. Results suggest that tail-docking adult dairy cattle with rubber rings causes, at most, mild discomfort and that there is no benefit in using an epidural anesthetic. However, long-term effects need to be investigated.

Amputation, Surgical↗

PubMed2002

Effects of a subacute ruminal acidosis model on the diet selection of dairy cows.

Two experiments were conducted to study the effects of a subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) model on diet choice in dairy cows. In the first experiment, 25% of the ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI) of the total mixed ration (TMR) was replaced with wheat-barley pellets (WBP, 50% ground wheat, 50% ground barley). Rumen pH was measured continuously via in-dwelling probes in 4 mid to late lactation cows. This diet change reduced rumen pH by 0.14 +/- 0.02 pH units (mean +/- SE) and increased time below pH 6.0, from 319 +/- 36 min(-1) to 641 +/- 36 min(-1). Hence, the nutritional model successfully induced SARA. The second experiment determined if inducing SARA increases the feed preference for long alfalfa hay compared with alfalfa pellets. The 2 wk of inducing SARA were separated by 1 control wk. Four cows on either SARA and control diets were given a choice of 2 feeds, 2 times per d, for 30 min. The preference ratios (PR = Amount of Hay consumed/Amount of Hay + Pellets consumed) for alfalfa hay during two SARA weeks was greater (0.85 +/- 0.03) compared with the control week (0.60 +/- 0.03). In SARA weeks, average rumen pH was 0.23 +/- 0.03 units lower, and time below pH 6.0 and 5.6 was higher compared to control. These results suggest that when given a choice of feeds, dairy cows alter their diet selection to attempt to attenuate SARA.

Acidosis↗

PubMed2001

Belly-nosing in early-weaned piglets is not influenced by diet quality or the presence of milk in the diet.

Early weaning of piglets can lead to an increase in belly-nosing and other oral-nasal behavior (nosing, chewing, or sucking other piglets), but the causative factors involved in these behavior patterns are largely unknown. Because these behavior patterns resemble massaging the udder and sucking, they may be associated with feeding. The objectives of this study were to determine any effect of diet quality or the presence of milk in the diet on belly-nosing behavior of piglets weaned at 14 to 18 d. During the first 2 wk after weaning, piglets were fed diets differing in quality and inclusion of milk products. Six replicates of eight piglets per replicate, blocked by initial body weight, (n = 192) were offered one of four dietary treatments: HQM: high quality, high in milk products; HQ: high quality, no milk products; PQ: poor quality, no milk products; HQ+MR: high quality, no milk products (as HQ) sprayed with milk replacer five times daily. Thereafter, the piglets were fed a standard nursery diet. Feed intake was measured daily for wk 1 and again at the end of wk 2. Behavior was recorded every 5 min during two 4-h periods on d 2 to 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 after weaning. Dietary treatment influenced ADFI and ADG during wk 1. Average daily feed intake (P < 0.05) and ADG (P < 0.05) of piglets on PQ were less than those of piglets on the other treatments. During wk 2, ADFI (P > 0.10) and ADG (P > 0.10) were the same across all treatments. Overall, ADFI was not influenced by the inclusion of milk products in the diet or the addition of milk replacer (P > 0.10); however, ADG was. Piglets on HQM had higher ADG than those on HQ during wk 2 (P < 0.05) and 3 after weaning (P < 0.05). However, milk replacer did not influence ADG (P > 0.10). Although the dietary treatments did affect ADFI and ADG, there were no effects on any behavior pattern recorded, including time spent at the feeder (P > 0.10). Lower weight-for-age piglets performed more oral-nasal behavior, in total, than higher weight-for-age piglets (P < 0.03). Neither feeding a poor-quality diet nor the presence of milk in the diet had an effect on belly-nosing or other oral-nasal behavior patterns during the first 3 wk after weaning. Belly-nosing does not seem to be associated with feeding.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2000

Male broiler breeder fowl display high levels of aggression toward females.

Commercial broiler breeder males are reported to display high levels of aggression, often injuring and sometimes killing females. Aggression toward females by mature male domestic fowl is rare and may be regarded as aberrant behavior. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of genetic strain and feed restriction on the sexual and aggressive behavior of male domestic fowl. A 3 x 2 factorial design was used to compare the behavior of three genetic strains (two broiler breeder strains and one commercial laying strain) on two feeding regimens (one restricted and one fed ad libitum) between 25 and 37 d of age. At 22 wk of age, pairs of same-strain males were penned with 20 females of a broiler breeder strain. Behavior was sampled from each pen for six 10-min periods during Weeks 25, 27, 29, 33, and 37. Broiler breeder males displayed significantly more male-to-male (P < 0.0197) and male-to-female aggression (P < 0.0005) than laying strain males. Broiler breeder males chased females (P < 0.0001), forced more copulations (P < 0.0003), and displayed little courtship behavior (P < 0.0001) compared with laying strain males. There were no behavioral differences between broiler breeder strains. It was expected that feed restriction would result in increased aggression. However, males fed ad libitum displayed the most male-to-male (P < 0.0035) and male-to-female (P < 0.0273) aggression. Sexual behavior was not affected by feeding regimen. In conclusion, broiler breeder males display aberrant sexual behavior and extremely high levels of aggression, which are associated with genetic differences, not feed restriction.

Aggression↗

PubMed1998

Rearing with males accelerates onset of sexual maturity in female domestic fowl.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of male presence on sexual maturation and sexual responses toward humans in laying strain females. In Experiment 1, two flocks of 50 medium-hybrid females were reared without males (separate-sex) and two flocks with males (mixed-sex) from 1 d of age. Mixed-sex females came into lay sooner and laid more eggs up to 22 wk of age than separate-sex females (P < 0.05). Comb size was also greater in mixed-sex females at 15 and 20 wk of age (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, six replicate groups per treatment with n = 10 females per group were reared in separate-sex, mixed-sex, or adjacent to mixed-sex groups. Rearing adjacent to mixed-sex groups, which allowed visual and auditory contact with males, was just as effective for accelerating sexual maturation as was rearing in mixed-sex groups. Females reared in and adjacent to mixed-sex groups began to lay earlier (P < 0.05) and had larger combs (P < 0.05) than separate-sex females. However, after 22 wk of age, egg production rates of separate-sex females surpassed those of mixed-sex and adjacent females, resulting in similar numbers of eggs produced through 30 wk of age (P > 0.10). During tests for sexual responsiveness to humans, over 80% of females in separate-sex and adjacent to mixed-sex groups assumed a sexual crouch, whereas less than 20% of females in mixed-sex groups crouched (P < 0.001, chi-square). The degree of contact with males during rearing affected the females' physiological measures of reproductive function differently than behavioral measures.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Effects of resistance to milk flow and the provision of hay on nonnutritive sucking by dairy calves.

This study examined effects of resistance to milk flow and the provision of hay on the duration of nutritive sucking and subsequent nonnutritive sucking by dairy calves. In a series of four experiments, 12 male Holstein calves were individually fed milk from an artificial teat. Resistance to milk flow was varied by adjusting the orifice size within the milk supply tube. Using a Latin square design, each calf was fed the same quantity of milk using four orifice sizes (one per day for 4 consecutive d). The duration of nutritive sucking (time required to finish the milk meal) was longer when calves were fed from the smallest orifice size (0.16-cm diameter) than when calves were fed from the largest orifice size (0.55-cm diameter). Calves compensated for resistance to milk flow in an attempt to maintain milk intake; however, changes in sucking rate alone were probably not responsible for observed differences in the rate of milk consumption from different orifice sizes. The duration of nonnutritive sucking (sucking of the teat following the milk meal) was significantly reduced when calves were fed from the smallest orifice compared with that when calves were fed from the largest orifice. Nonnutritive sucking was reduced but not eliminated even with the longest meal duration. The provision of hay to calves following the meal also significantly reduced the amount of nonnutritive sucking. Reduction in flow rate when calves drink milk through a teat and the provision of hay after the meal can reduce the incidence of nonnutritive sucking following the meal and may help to limit cross-sucking in group housing systems.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1990

Behavioral and endocrine responses of sows to prostaglandin F2 alpha and cloprostenol.

Behavioral and endocrine changes in the sow following injection with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or its analogue, cloprostenol (CLO), were monitored to identify endocrine correlates of prepartum activity (nest-building). On Day 112 postcoitum, within 15 min after injection with 10 mg PGF2 alpha, sows offered straw in pens engaged in intense prepartum activity, but few behavioral changes occurred during the first 2 h following administration of 175 micrograms CLO. The temporal pattern of prepartum activity, however, was affected by both prostaglandins. In control sows, most prepartum activity came during Hours 16-0 before delivery of first piglet (delivery). After CLO, sows engaged in nest-building more during Hours 32-17 and less during Hours 16-0. In another experiment, sows in farrowing crates were injected with saline, 175 micrograms CLO, or 10 mg PGF2 alpha on Day 112 and blood was collected 0, 15, 30, 60, and 90 min later. Another sample was collected when spontaneous prepartum activity was first observed. For approximately 90 min after PGF2 alpha treatment, sows rooted, pawed, and bit and rubbed faces on crate bars; after saline and CLO, this behavior was rarely observed. After prostaglandin treatment, plasma progesterone tended to decline, a 10-fold rise in relaxin came within 15 min, but estrone did not change. Plasma prolactin rose 10-fold within 30 min after PGF2 alpha treatment, and rose more gradually after CLO treatment. When sows exhibited spontaneous prepartum activity (approximately 7 h before delivery), endocrine status was characterized by low progesterone, high estrone:progesterone ratio, and high prolactin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Nursing does affect the duration of the post-partum to ovulation interval in cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus).

Reports on callitrichid monkeys have not revealed a significant effect of nursing on interbirth intervals or on post-partum to ovulation intervals. We examined 25 post-partum intervals in cotton-top tamarin females to determine whether nursing infants would affect the length of the post-partum to ovulation interval. Urinary LH/CG and oestrone conjugates were measured in urine samples collected in the 6 weeks after birth. The post-partum to ovulation interval is the number of days between parturition and the rise of urinary LH and oestrone conjugates associated with ovulation. There was an 84% conception rate post partum. Neither mother's parity nor sex of the infants influenced the length of the post-partum to ovulation interval. The post-partum to ovulation interval for females nursing 2 infants was twice as long as for those not nursing or nursing 1 infant (P less than 0.05). The range of post-partum to ovulation interval lengths was more variable in nursing than in non-nursing females (P less than 0.01). Females spent less than 50% of observed time in contact and less than 20% of observed time nursing their infants. Neither the number of tamarins within the family nor the amount of time the mother was in contact with infants correlated with the length of the post-partum to ovulation interval. However, there was a positive correlation between the percentage time that mothers nursed 1 infant at a time and the length of the post-partum to ovulation interval (r = 0.75, P less than 0.02). The underlying mechanisms of suckling-induced delay of ovulation are present in the cotton-top tamarin as in other primate species. However, these nursing effects do not cause the substantial delay in fertility post partum that is associated with non-callitrichid primates.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Behavioral responses of periparturient sows and juvenile pigs to prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Within minutes after prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) injection on d 112 postcoitum and again in the last few hours before delivery of the first piglet around 22 h later, sows in pens intensely rooted and pawed, which is typical prepartum nestbuilding behavior. Control sows engaged in most such typical prepartum activity (TPA) within 16 h before delivery. The overall frequencies and durations of TPA for the 48-h prepartum period were not influenced by injection, but injection of PGF2 alpha did alter the temporal pattern of behavior and resulted in a bimodal profile of activity. The PGF2 alpha injected 24 h postpartum immediately induced TPA in sows, but it was less intense and shorter than prepartum TPA. Postpartum only, some PGF2 alpha sows rubbed or kicked at their abdomens and seemed to experience discomfort. Because PGF2 alpha elicited TPA both pre- and postpartum, TPA probably was not directly triggered by changes in plasma progesterone concentration or in the estrogen:progesterone ratio. After injection of .5 or 1 mg PGF2 alpha, prepubertal pigs (approximately 10 kg) lay more but also changed posture more often. After PGF2 alpha, slight or no TPA was seen, but pigs pawed more often, showed signs of abdominal discomfort, defecated more often, stretched and arched their backs and scratched or kicked at their sides or abdomens. Most PGF2 alpha-induced TPA by prepartum sows probably is not caused by some general peripheral effect, but rather by some neural or endocrine change that stimulates nestbuilding specifically in animals primed by the endogenous endocrine environment of late pregnancy.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effects of sow-crate design on health and performance of sows and piglets.

The effects of sow-crate design on certain health and performance traits of 211 sows and their piglets were evaluated with a 2 X 2 X 4 factorial arrangement of crate width (narrow [N = 55 cm] or wide [W = 64] between lowest horizontal pipes), length (short [S = 183 cm] or long [L = 198] from rump stop to front gate) and side type (lower side of sow crate "fingered" [F], "bowed" bottom bar--marking the sow zone 19.3 cm wider at the bottom--20 cm above the floor [B], or straight bottom bar 20 cm [S20] or 25 cm above the floor [S25]). Between d 107 to 110 postcoitum and d 21 postpartum, no crate design variable affected the sow's body-weight change, but side type tended to affect the most prominent head-neck and leg integumentary lesions. Number of stillborn piglets/litter was greater with W crates than with N, except with crates having S20 sides, and was greater with L crates than with S. More piglets were crushed to death in W crates than N crates, and stillbirth frequency was greater in L crates than in S, but overall preweaning piglet mortality was affected by no crate-design feature. At both 7 and 21 d of age, piglets' knee lesions were most severe with S20 crates and least with S25, whereas face-lesion score was unaffected by crate design. Piglet body weight at age 21 d was least with S20 crates and greatest with F and S25. No crate-design variable affected within-litter variation in piglet growth rate. Sow-crate design affected important health and performance traits of piglets through postnatal d 21.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1988

Footing and gait of pigs on different concrete surfaces.

Because pigs frequently lose their footing and slip, it is important to understand slipping and its relation to different floor surfaces. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the gait and footing of young pigs walking on concrete floor surfaces having known friction characteristics and to determine critical skid resistance values in terms of the fitness of a concrete surface for flooring in pig quarters. Barrows were cinematographed with a high-speed 16-mm camera as they walked on various surfaces, and gait and footing were subsequently analyzed in motion studies. The six concrete floor test pads with different surface treatments (fine and coarse sand, fine and coarse broom, wood float and steel trowel) were evaluated for friction coefficient (skid resistance value) using a British pendulum tester both before and after pig tests. Leg angle, pastern angle and time variables were not related with average skid resistance value of the different floors. However, slip variables during a stride's stance phase per se were well related to surface-treatment differences in average skid resistance. Thus, the average skid resistance value generated by the British pendulum tester yielded one piece of objective information useful in assessing the fitness of concrete surfaces for floors in pig quarters. All the surfaces except the steel trowel surface had average skid resistance value of greater than 65 British pendulum number, and they all reduced a pig's chance of slipping relative to the steel trowel (less than 60 British pendulum number). The front leg was a more sensitive indicator than the rear of a floor's effect on the pig's gait and footing.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Prepartum behavior of gilts in three farrowing environments.

To determine effects of the farrowing environment on prepartum behavior, five gilts were monitored continuously for 48 h prior to parturition in each of three farrowing systems: 1) an open farrowing pen (2.1 x 1.5 m); 2) a turn-around farrowing pen, which allowed the gilt to turn around (2.4 m long; 1.8 m wide at back, .6 at front) and 3) a straight farrowing crate (sow zone = .6 x 2.1 m). Videorecords were summarized as three 16-h segments (Period A = 48 to 32 h before the first piglet was delivered, B = 32 to 16 h and C = 16 to 0 h) for analysis of activity over time. In all systems, frequencies of postural changes and oral-nasal activities directed at the floor or wall increased as farrowing was approached, the highest frequencies occurring in Period C. Respective times spent standing, sitting and engaged in oral-nasal activities directed at floor or wall also increased over time. Pawing occurred almost exclusively in Period C. Lying upright (ventral posture) occupied a greater portion of lying time as the gilt's activity increased over time, whereas feeding and drinking behaviors did not change over time. The only behavior affected by the experimental environments was the frequency of 90 degree turns. Gilts in both open and turn-around pens showed an increasing turning frequency over time, and they turned more often in the open pen than in the turn-around pen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗