University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Florian Mayer
(2016):
Reaktion von Zuchtsauen auf die zeitlich begrenzte Fixierung im Abferkelstall
-Analyse physiologischer und ethologischer Indikatoren -.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften (NUWI),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 93.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- In order to evaluate the impact of temporary crating on animal welfare, heart rate variability (HRV) and behaviour of in total 63 sows housed in four different farrowing systems were measured. For this purpose, three different treatments were applied, which differ in the time point of crating: no crating (V0), crating one day before expected parturition (V4/V6) and crating after completion of parturition (V3). Each treatment was applied to one of in total four batches of 16 sows each. Irrespective of treatment, the mean heart rate (MeanHR) of all sows increased between “period 0” (36h-24h a.p.) and “period 1” (24h-12h a.p.) (p=0.005). At the same time, MeanRR (p=0.007) and STDRR decreased significantly (p=0.027). In the prepartal period, there was a significant interaction (period*treatment) with regard to the frequency domain HRV measures HF [nu] (p=0.013), LF [nu] (p=0.014) and LF/HF ratio (p=0.029). In crated sows, LF [nu] and the LF/HF ratio increased from period 0 to period 1, while HF [nu] decreased. After farrowing, heart rate variability did not differ between crated and non-crated sows. In terms of behavioural responses, non-crated sows showed more nestbuilding behaviour directed towards straw as opposed to pen equipment than crated sows (p=0.002). In crated sows, the proportion of such “adequate” nestbuilding behaviour out of all nestbuilding actitivites was also lower than in non-crated sows. The heart rate variability results indicate that crated sows had a higher sympathetic activity in the prepartal period, which can be interpreted as indicator for higher levels of stress than non-crated sows. It can be concluded, that crating before farrowing reduced aspects of sow welfare, whereas fixation after completion of farrowing did not lead to changes of investigated parameters within the period observed.
- Beurteilende(r): Winckler Christoph
- 1.Mitwirkender: Leeb Christine