Farrowing unit housing and management factors associated with diseases and disease signs of importance for feeder pig quality

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Housing and management were described in 114 randomly selected farrowing units. Associations between housing/management factors, enzootic pneumonia, erysipelas and disease signs of importance for feeder pig quality were investigated. Diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, joint infection and mange signs were scored and summed to create a total sign score. Factors increasing the risk of unfavorable outcomes included slatted pen floors, liquid manure management, restricted water, free access of cats and dogs into the piggery, pigs’ admission to dung alley, low relative humidity, creep feed serving on floor, existence of boar(s) in the herd and large herd size. Solid, concrete pen floors, straw bedding, solid manure management, nipple water and quarantine for replacement pigs decreased the risk of unfavorable outcomes.