Short-term fixation of sows in farrowing pens using different opening procedures

In the present study, short-term fixation of sows in farrowing pens for five days around farrowing (fixation of the sow from one day ante partum until three days post partum) was tested in comparison to sows in farrowing crates with permanent fixation with regard to reproductive traits. The aim was to investigate different farrowing crate opening procedures to determine whether the timing of the crate opening had an effect on piglet losses, particularly the crushing of piglets immediately after opening the farrowing crate. Therefore, the movable crates of the farrowing pens were opened three days post partum either at 6 am (AM: n = 107) or at 6 pm (PM: n = 108) respectively, or were closed full-time for conventional crated sows in the control group (CON: n = 88). All litters were standardized to 14 piglets within the first two days post partum. The number of piglets born alive, stillborn piglets, weaned piglets and piglet losses were recorded. Additionally, previous experience of sows in farrowing pens in their previous parity was documented. The results show that sows in the AM group had significantly higher total piglet losses compared to sows in the CON group with permanent fixation (p < 0.05). However, the total piglet losses did not differ between the AM and PM or the PM and CON groups. From the time period immediately after the crate opening until weaning the number of crushed piglets was significantly higher in the AM group compared to sows in the CON group (p < 0.05). Sows in the PM group achieved similar numbers of crushed piglets after the crate opening as sows with permanent fixation (CON). Hence, for short-term fixation of five days around farrowing on commercial farms, the farrowing crate should be opened in the evening.