Abstract
Newborn piglets on organic pig farms have a lower chance to survive their first week than conventional piglets. Poorer climatic conditions, a loose housed mother, large litters with low birth weights are some of the causes. In a series of experiments the effect of housing and climate measures were investigated. Additional floor heating around farrowing to increase vitality did not reduce piglet mortality. Enlargement of the solid floor to facilitate maternal behaviour also didn’t show a lower mortality. In the third experiment the amount of straw didn’t give a lower mortality, but longer flaps in the opening of the piglet nest tended to reduce mortality.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Proceedings of the Second Scientific Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), Modena, Italy, 18 - 20 June, 2008 |
Publisher | Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) |
Pages | 118-121 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783037360279 |
Publication status | Published - 2008 |
Event | 2nd ISOFAR Scientific Conference - Duration: 18 Jun 2008 → 20 Jun 2008 |
Conference/symposium
Conference/symposium | 2nd ISOFAR Scientific Conference |
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Period | 18/06/08 → 20/06/08 |
Keywords
- farrowing pens
- farrowing
- organic farming
- pig farming
- mortality
- animal housing