INFLUENCE OF ACCOMMODATION ON FARROWING BEHAVIOUR IN LARGE WHITE YORKSHIRE GILTS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to find out the different housing systems on the
reproductive behaviour of pigs. Twenty four Large White Yorkshire pigs in the age group of 5
months were selected and randomly divided into four groups consisting of 6 animals each.
Among these, two groups were reared under intensive system and two groups under semiintensive
system. From each system one group in individual housing and other group in
group housing. All pregnant gilts under group housing both from intensive and Semiintensive
system of management were transferred to farrowing crate, one week prior to
expected date of farrowing, whereas gilts under individual housing both from intensive and
semi-intensive system of management remained in the individual pen itself during farrowing
and lactation. Farrowing behaviors were recorded from 3 days prior to farrowing and
continued till the placenta was expelled. All the farrowing activities except straw were
performed for significantly (P<0.01) longer periods and more frequently by the gilts from
group housed in farrowing crate than those in individual pen.