The study was designed to analyze reproductive performance, piglet losses and growth, and sow health according to the duration of confinement in farrowing pens.
Materials and Methods: 5 groups of sows were assigned to the experiment (n = 24 per group). Group A was left unconfined throughout the entire period in the farrowing crate. Group B was confined from gestation day 115 until 2 days after farrowing. Group C was confined from gestation day 115 until 4 days after farrowing. Group D was confined from gestation day 115 until 6 days after farrowing. Group E was kept in a crate for the entire time spent in the farrowing pen.
Results: Reproductive performance parameters were not affected by the duration of confinement. The duration of confinement had a significant effect (p < 0,05) on piglet crushing. Groups C, D, and E had the fewest piglets crushed by the sow. Most piglets were crushed within the first two days, more frequently in group A (p < 0,01).
The duration of sow confinement affected piglet growth. Weaning weight was found in group A (p < 0,01), litter weaning weight in groups A and B (p = 0,05), and the highest daily gain was recorded in the highest group, A (p < 0,001).
Conclusions: The assessment of sow health based on the evaluation of skin lesions, lameness and shoulder ulcers showed no effect of the duration of confinement. In conclusion, allowing sows to move freely in the farrowing pen increases piglet losses but improves piglet growth.
Weisbauerová, Eva, Jan Sečkář, Pavel Nevrkla, Drahomíra Čtvrtlíková Knitlová, Zdeněk Hadaš, Pavel Horký, Tomáš Kopec and Emmanuel Onosimuan Aidelomon. “Analysis of reproductive performance, losses and growth of piglets and sow health based on duration of confinement in farrowing crates.” Italian Journal of Animal Science (2026): n. pag.