Effect of gestation housing on behaviour and skin lesions of sows in farrowing crates

Group housing systems for pregnant sows are set to become more popular, but there is evidence that this development could influence the welfare of sows in farrowing crates. A study was designed to assess the effect of gestation accommodation on behaviour, welfare and farrowing performance of sows in farrowing crates. Multiparous sows were housed loose [L] in groups of four with feeding stalls ( n =24) or individually in gestation stalls [S] ( n =24) from 1 month post-service. On day 110 of pregnancy, sows were moved to farrowing crates where they remained until 28 days post-partum. Behaviour was recorded on the first day in the crate and on day 10 of lactation. Posture changing frequency was recorded for 2 h prior to and for the duration of farrowing. Skin lesions were scored from 0 to 6 at 34 locations on the body the day before and the day after entry to the crate, post-farrowing, during weeks 2 and 3 of lactation and at weaning. On the first day in the crate S sows made significantly more attempts to lie down per lie down event than L sows ( P P P P P P