Uso estratégico de palha como enriquecimento ambiental para porcas no pré-parto em cela parideira

Abstract

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effects of straw provision in the farrowing crates as environmental enrichment in the prepartum period, on the reproductive and behavioral parameters of the sows, and performance of piglets during lactation. Thirty-two multiparous sows distributed according to the parity order were used in two treatments (control and straw) with 16 replicates. In the control treatment the sows were kept in farrowing crates without environmental enrichment. In the straw treatment, straw was made available in the farrowing crate by means of 16 boxes made for this purpose, attached to the bars of the crates next to the sow. The straw was provided around 24 hours before the expected date of farrowing and removal after farrowing. The behaviors of 12 sows per treatment were recorded, uninterruptedly, from 12 hours before to the start farrowing until the 13th day of lactation. Data were collected on the reproductive indices (number of live births, stillbirths, duration of farrowing and interval between births) and body surface temperature of the sows. Five piglets of each sow were selected for performance evaluation and blood lactate levels. Sows housed in enriched crates had a higher frequency of nest-building behaviour, and a lower frequency of stereotyped behaviours and sitting posture (P <0.05). No differences were found in the behavioral frequencies during farrowing (P>0.05). The sows of the control treatment presented a greater number of changes of posture than the sows of the straw treatment (P=0.057). The frequency of nursing was higher in the sows that had access to straw (P <0.05). No differences were observed in the reproductive performance and the surface temperature of the sows (P>0.05). There were no effects of straw provision on performance, lactate levels and postnatal mortality of piglets (P>0.05). The availability of nesting material in the farrowing crate improves the welfare of sows, increasing the motivation to build the nest and reducing the frequency of stereotyped behaviours before farrowing. In addition, access to straw reduces the discomfort of sows during farrowing and stimulates maternal behaviour of nursing during lactation.