The effects of modifying the farrowing environment on sow behaviour and survival and growth of piglets

The effect of modifying the farrowing environment on maternal behaviour of sows and survival and growth of piglets was studied. Sixteen sows farrowed in standard crates (CC) or in the same crates modified (MC) by addition of straw on the floor and a hessian cover over the farrowing stall. About 6 h after farrowing was completed, the environments were made similar by removing the hessian cover in the MC treatment and adding straw to the CC treatment. The MC sows performed more (P<0.05) nesting behaviour before farrowing, were more (P<0.05) responsive to the distress vocalizations of their piglets throughout lactation and tended to perform more (P<0.07) piglet-directed investigation/vocalization than CC sows. The incidence of piglet mortality was lower (P<0.01) in the MC than CC treatment. It was concluded that modifications to the farrowing environment can affect maternal behaviour, with apparent consequent advantages for piglet survival.