The effect of keeping suckling sows in groups on production performance

Kiss, Csilla – Vincze, Judit – Pászthy, György

Keywords: sow, aggregate keeping, dropping box, cost, income

The authors compared the production performance of sows kept singly after farrowing with experimental groups that were kept in twos right until the time of separation. The loss of suckling piglets in aggregate keeping significantly exceeded the loss in singly kept groups. This was because dropping boxes were not large enough for two sows and nothing protected the piglets against squashing. Dropping boxes would have to be enlarged and piglet protecting railings would have to be installed on two sides of each box. Piglet losses could be further reduced if the time of aggregate keeping would be delayed as long as possible. The income per sow for animals kept during nursing in aggregate groups was 8000HUF less than that in the control group. This is an enormous loss of income for a farm and reduces the chances of future technological development for solving the problem. Because of the small size of dropping boxes the technology in aggregate keeping is quickly amortised further increasing long term costs. Animals kept in twos are exposed to extra stress that endangers not only the piglets but also the sows. This can affect ovulation and lead eventually to reduced fertility.

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