Sensible experiences with loose-housed sows throughout mating – Articles

A survey of 38 farmers who flip sows free early in the course of the insemination interval and the primary weeks of gestation, generally known as “breed and launch,” was performed to establish crucial factors and keys to the success of this observe. The outcomes present that combining good productive efficiency, higher working situations, and animal welfare is feasible.

The difficulty of lowering or banning animal confinement is more and more distinguished in social debates associated to animal welfare. In France, as in the remainder of the European Union, the 2012 regulation require gestating sows to be housed free and in teams one month after synthetic insemination (AI) and as much as one week earlier than farrowing. Though there isn’t any laws regulating sows being free in lactation, there may be an growing pattern to implement free farrowing on farms.

Following an analogous logic, some farmers are lowering and even eliminating the interval of sow confinement in the course of the mating part. This technique, generally known as “free sows throughout breeding” or “breed and launch,” though nonetheless an unusual observe, is attracting rising curiosity. To establish the important thing elements for fulfillment in managing free sows throughout this part, the Brittany area’s Chamber of Agriculture surveyed 38 farmers who already do that. Farmers wishing to implement this observe on their farms can discover recommendation sheets (in French) from the Chamber of Agriculture concerning the variations in administration, reproductive efficiency, and housing varieties.

Three methods for the timing of sow launch

The outcomes of the surveys recognized three methods carried out by farmers the week after weaning (see diagram 1):

1. LIBIA: Sows are stored in normal stalls from weaning til the ultimate insemination. Then they’re launched and grouped inside six days of the ultimate insemination (15 out of 38 farms).
2. LIBSEVIA: Sows are housed free and in teams from weaning, then positioned in stalls in the course of the insemination interval, and launched into the group once more. Farmers clarify that they benefit from the stress generated by grouping them collectively to induce estrus and facilitate detection (sows mounting one another). Sows are within the stalls for a couple of week in the course of the insemination interval after which launched instantly or, on the newest, inside six days after the ultimate insemination (11 out of 38 farms).
3. LIBSEV: Sows are grouped from weaning and are within the stalls just for synthetic insemination, for a most of half a day. Due to this fact, the sows stay in a bunch for the whole breeding and gestation durations (12 farms out of 38).

Diagram 1. Abstract of practices and techniques of the surveyed farms.

Observe	Variety of farms	Sort of housing	Description
LIBIA Free after AI
	15	• 15/15 slat	Crated interval (as much as a most of six days after AI) for restoration of sow physique situation. Early switch to the gestation barn.
LIBSEV Free after weaning
	12	• 6 straw • 3 straw/slat • 3 slat	Crated solely throughout synthetic insemination, with a most of half a day per insemination. Hierarchy established from weaning Grouping stress: favors the onset of estrus. Speedy detection of estrus with sows in a bunch
LIBSEVIA Free after weaning, crated throughout AI, and free once more after AI
	11	• 3 straw/slat • 8 slat	Restricted crating (2-3 days, most 6 days after AI). Prevents sows mounting one another throughout estrus. Hierarchy established from weaning. Grouping stress: improves estrus onset. Speedy detection of estrus with sows in a bunch.

Precautions to take in the course of the grouping course of

Sow grouping is an important time to make sure success in such a administration. It’s particularly essential to keep away from grouping sows in the course of the highest danger part, between the twelfth and 18th day of gestation. Due to this fact, it is suggested to type teams earlier than this era, both instantly after weaning or simply after inseminations. On this means, aggressions associated to establishing hierarchy occur earlier. If aggressions happen at weaning, they take pleasure in stimulating the onset of estrus.

Concerning grouping methods, it’s preferable to type teams of homogeneous sows by way of physique situation, ideally by parity, and to keep away from mixing gilts with multiparous sows.

A lot of the farmers surveyed carry out synthetic inseminations with the sows crated. Three of them carry out inseminations with free sows. Ultrasound scans, for essentially the most half, are additionally carried out with free sows. It’s noteworthy that half of the respondents carry out ultrasounds with the sows free, whereas the opposite half crate them throughout this process.

Benefits and demanding factors to think about

The farmers surveyed highlighted quite a few advantages of free sow administration within the breeding part. Many emphasize the enjoyment of seeing sows work together in teams in addition to the optimistic affect on their animals’ welfare. Those that group sows from weaning report improved estrus onset, attributed to the stress generated throughout grouping.

Nonetheless, some farmers report aggressive conduct amongst sows, particularly when integrating gilts into the group. Regardless of this, 1 / 4 of the farmers think about that their sows are calmer and that this observe improves the connection between the farmer and the animals. A 3rd of the respondents additionally famous an enchancment of their working situations, due to the discount in transferring the animals and the time spent eradicating feces from the hall in the back of the stalls.

Then again, current amenities will be an impediment to implementing this administration, primarily because of designs that aren’t tailored to the system’s wants. Gestation with free sows doesn’t require using bedding nevertheless it doesn’t preclude it. Farmers who select to make use of straw report sows which are much less aggressive as a result of they’re busy rooting. Slatted amenities are chosen due to good sow hygiene; nevertheless, this flooring sort can turn out to be slippery in moist situations, growing the chance of falls and lameness. The design of the pens or rooms is one other crucial level (boar publicity, entry to pits, and so forth.).

Lastly, 25% of the respondents think about that their free sows present good manufacturing outcomes (see Desk 1). All of the farmers consulted had been glad with this administration and none contemplated returning to the earlier system.

Desk 1. Reproductive efficiency: Common outcomes of 12 farmers surveyed.

Whereas nonetheless not widespread, such a sow administration is about to achieve recognition as animal welfare laws evolves, as evidenced by reforms deliberate in Germany and Denmark for 2028 and 2035, respectively. As well as, an EFSA report printed in 2022 advisable eliminating using stalls within the mating part, which can function the scientific foundation for growing the subsequent regulation.

This research, performed between 2021 and 2024, was financially supported by PRDA, Porc Armor Evolution, Porélia, and Eureden, and benefited from the change of outcomes of a survey performed by Evel’Up. Thanks to the farmers who participated on this research for the standard of the exchanges and their confidence.