Effects of group housing on sow productivity and welfare: review

The welfare and productivity of dry sows in different group housing systems in New Zealand.

This research aimed to evaluate sow welfare and identify potential welfare compromise in specific group housing systems for sows in New Zealand. The relationship between overall welfare outcome on-farm and sow productivity was also investigated. Twenty commercial farms were chosen to represent the spectrum of layouts and management practices of New Zealand pork producers. During a farm visit, h...

Breeding sows better suited to group housing

Housing of pregnant sows is currently being revolutionised around the world. Group housing enhances opportunities for improved sow health and welfare through enabling exercise and social interactions. However, because it enables social interactions, group housing can also be detrimental to welfare and production, particularly if sow aggression occurs. Detrimental effects of adverse interactions...

Running Heading: Updated Review of Gestation Sow Housing Literature Review: updated scientific evidence on the welfare of gestating sows kept in different housing systems

Research on Group-Housing for Sows

Sow housing is a controversy issue in the swine industry. The conventional confinement housing system for sows, such as gestation stalls and farrowing crates have been used in the western countries for more than 30 years. Despite the advantages of confinement sow housing systems, concern over sow welfare due to restriction of movement has resulted in gestation stalls being banned in the Europea...

Management and Feeding of Group-Housed Gestating Sows

Moving pregnant sows from individual stalls to group housing will require many changes in management and feeding practices to maintain optimal biological performance and sow welfare. Dietary energy requirements of sows may change compared with stall housing but requirements for other nutrients are not likely to change significantly. Producers may need to consider feeding requirements to support...