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Space and Group Size Effects on the Welfare of Grouped Sows Day 8 Observations
14 Pages
1 Jul 0012
Author(s): Maxine Rice, Prof Paul Hemsworth
This project built on the previous Australian Pork Limited commissioned project 2007-2193 by allowing interpretation of video footage taken at/after day 8 after mixing. The results support the outcomes of the previous project i.e. sow welfare improves as floor space allowance increases. However, it is difficult to determine an adequate space allowance for sows, other than to indicate that a space alowance of 1.4 m2/sow is likely too small. In terms of risks to welfare and productivity, these results highlighted the importance of sufficient space to reduce aggression and stress at mixing and that the sow’s requirement for space appears to be less once the group is well established.
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