Resilient animals (NAPRO) (KB-29-007-009, KB-29-007-001)

Pigs in enriched housing have better disease resistance and resilience than conventional pigs in a barren environment. Conventional housing can be a cause of chronic stress, and this can have a direct impact on the immune system. Stress can also affect the composition of the microbiome in the gut, and thus indirectly affect health and disease resistance. The purpose of the project is to explore whether the housing system of piglets  (enriched versus conventional) has an effect on the composition of the microbiota in the intestine. In a large animal study we will look at the relationship between housing and various parameters related to disease resistance. This project relates this to the gut microbiome. Increasing disease resistance and resilience of farm animals helps in reducing antibiotic use in animal husbandry. This reduces the risk of resistance to antibiotics, which is important for society, government and industry.