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Longitudinal study of the effect of rubber slat mats on locomotory ability, body, limb and claw lesions, and dirtiness of group housed sows
Calderon Diaz, Julia Fahey, A. G. KilBride, A. L. Green, L. E. Boyle, Laura A
Calderon Diaz, Julia
Fahey, A. G.
KilBride, A. L.
Green, L. E.
Boyle, Laura A
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2013-08-01
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Calderón Díaz JA, Fahey AG, Kilbride AL, Green LE, Boyle LA. Longitudinal study of the effect of rubber slat mats on locomotory ability, body, limb and claw lesions, and dirtiness of group housed sows. J Anim Sci. 2013;91(8):3940-3954. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-5913
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of
floor type on sow welfare with particular focus on
lameness, claw lesions (CL), and injuries. The study
used 164 gilts housed in groups of 8 from AI to 110 d of
pregnancy in pens with concrete (n = 84) slatted floor
left uncovered or covered by 10-mm rubber slat mats
(n = 80) through 2 parities. Lameness (0 = normal to 5 =
severe), limb (0 = normal to 6 = severe) and body (0 =
normal to 5 = severe) lesions, and manure on the body
(MOB; score 0 to 2) were recorded at AI, 24 to 72 h
postmixing, between 50 and 70 d of pregnancy, and 2 wk
before farrowing. Claw lesions (score 0 = normal to 3 =
severe) were recorded at AI and between 50 and 70 d of
pregnancy. The dirtiness and wetness of the floors was
scored weekly (score 0 = clean to 4 = >75% of the pen
soiled/wet). Data from the first and second parities were
analyzed separately. Sows were categorized as nonlame
(score ≤ 1) or lame (score ≥ 2). Median (Me) scores
were calculated for CL and body and limb lesions and
were classified as less than or equal to the median or
greater than the median lesion scores. Sows on rubber
slat mats had a reduced risk of lameness during both
parities (P < 0.01) compared with sows on concrete.
They also had an increased risk of scores greater than
the median for toe overgrowth (Me = 2 and Me = 3 in the
first and second parity, respectively) and heel sole crack
(HSC; Me = 3) during both parities (P < 0.01) and for
cracks in the wall (CW; Me = 4) and white line damage
(WL; Me = 4; P < 0.01) in the first and second parity,
respectively. There was a reduced risk of lameness in
sows with scores greater than the median for HSC (P =
0.05) in the first parity and WL (Me = 3; P < 0.01) and
CW (Me = 3; P < 0.05) in the second parity. Wounds
(Me = 3) and severe lesions (Me = 0) on the limbs with
scores greater than the median were associated with an
increased risk of lameness (P < 0.01) in the first and
second parity, respectively. Sows on rubber slat mats
had a reduced risk of scores greater than the median
for swellings (Me = 4) and wounds (P < 0.01) during
both parities. Pens with rubber slat mats were dirtier
than uncovered pens (P < 0.01); however, there was
no association between MOB and flooring type. There
was also no association between body lesion score and
flooring type. In this study, CL were not associated with
an increased risk of lameness. Therefore, even though
rubber slat mats were associated with an increased risk
of CL, they improved the welfare of group housed sows
by reducing the risk of lameness and limb lesions.