November 2001

The Alternative Swine Production Systems Program has got off to a good start studying a diverse range of topics. Below is a summary of the research in progress. If you would like further information please contact Rebecca Morrison.

Toxoplasmosis study

This study was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary PathoBiology at the University of Minnesota. We studied the dynamics of a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii, which is an organism that may be a major health problem, particularly to pregnant women and individuals who are immuno compromised (i.e. HIV or chemotherapy). The resulting disease can cause abortion or death, respectively. Among food animals, pigs are considered the major source of human infection. A source of infection is pork, particularly from pigs exposed to cats. We studied the prevalence of swine toxoplasmosis in alternative and confinement housing systems. This will allow us to try and determine the possible sources of infection, and hopefully identify the source or at least determine what risk factors for the transmission of toxoplasmosis are present. With this information it may be possible to alter husbandry practices to prevent infection. The blood samples from this study are currently being analyzed.

Exploratory behavior and fearfulness of growing pigs in a deep-litter, group housing system.

Efficient methods for handling and sorting pigs raised in deep-litter, group housing systems need to be developed. Studying the exploratory behavior and fearfulness of pigs will assist us in designing appropriate handling facilities. Temperamental characteristics of the animal are extremely important when designing animal handling facilities and when handling pigs. Temperamental characteristics such as fearfulness and learning ability are affected by environmental enrichment. Animals raised in barren environments may be more fearful during challenging situations than those housed in an enriched environment, such as a deep-litter group housing system. Anecdotal evidence suggests that pigs raised in deep-litter, group housing systems are less fearful of humans and novel objects and are easier to handle and load out when they go to market. Motivation for exploratory behaviors and fearfulness was tested using a standard human/novel test where the time taken to interact and number of interactions with a human/novel object were recorded. The first replication from this experiment has been completed, and the second replication will be conducted early next year.

Data on the growth performance, straw use and labor requirements of swine in deep-litter, group housing systems was also recorded. We will continue to record this data for each group of pigs through the hoop. In the current study we started with 185 pigs. The pigs were moved from a conventional confinement nursery to the hoop when they were 9 weeks of age. The first load of pigs (40 pigs) were sold when they were approximately 22 weeks of age. At this time all 185 pigs were weighed. Approximately 2 weeks later, 86 pigs were sold, and finally 3 weeks later the hoop was cleared out.

Growth performance, straw use and labor use for 185 pigs in a deep-litter, group housing system from 9 weeks of age to market.

Gestating sows…on deep-litter!!

The West Central Research and Outreach Center swine unit now has gestating sows in the gestation hoop. The gestation hoop replaces the existing conventional confinement housing for our pregnant sows. The hoop will allow sows to be housed in groups of 15 on deep litter (60 sows in total). This housing system has perceived welfare benefits in terms of the ability for locomotory behavior and social and physical interactions with other sows and the bedding. The welfare of gestating sows in confinement systems, in particular gestation stalls, is generating considerable interest from all realms of the pork industry. Public perceptions, in particular misconceptions, of animal welfare, have the potential to markedly affect the pork industry in Minnesota. Governments, industries or consumers may react to animal welfare issues, without factual scientific information, which may ultimately result in banning a housing system without scientific basis. Deep-litter, group housing systems have been developed as an alternative to confinement stalls for gestating sows. These systems provide approximately 45 ft2 floor space per sow, include a floor base of deep litter and house sows in groups between 15 to 60. Deep-litter, group housing systems allow social contact between sows, provide an enriched environment via the deep-litter and allow the sow to perform locomotory behaviors. These alternative systems are perceived as being welfare friendly, however there is limited scientific literature on the welfare of sows in deep-litter, group housing systems versus confinement gestation stalls. Therefore, it is essential to conduct controlled experiments comparing the welfare and reproductive performance of gestating sows in deep-litter, group housing systems versus confinement gestation stalls. We have received funding from the Minnesota Pork Producers (MPPA) for this research, which is to be conducted in collaboration with John Deen (Director-Swine Center, University of Minnesota) and Sam Baidoo (Southern Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota). This research will contribute to our knowledge on the welfare of sows in deep-litter, group housing systems and conventional confinement systems. Ultimately, this will ensure that decisions made on welfare impacts of gestating sow housing systems will be based on scientific knowledge, and not public perception or emotion.