The use of KNOP pens for suckling sows

Paska, I.; Mlynek, J.; Bullova, M.; Elias, S.

The use of KNOP pens for suckling sows

2001

Paska, I. | Mlynek, J. | Bullova, M. | Elias, S. (Slovenska Polnohospodarska Univ., Nitra (Slovak Republic))

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of some welfare elements and a regardful biological programme adopted in KNOP pens (pens for stressless pig breeding) for housing sows in farrow and suckling sows. Three pig reproduction breedings in three farms were entered into the test. The basic herds of sows were Slovak Large White sows and the boars of pietrain and hampshire (Pn x Ha) combination were used for production of pigs for slaughter. 265 litters were evaluated and at the Central Test Station [Slovak Agric. Univ.], 150 slaughter pigs up to 100 kg of live weight (60+42) and 48 pigs up to 130 kg of live weight were tested according to STN 46 6164 [Slovak Technical Standard - national standard system]. The results were statistically processed and some differences were verified using Student's T-test. The number of live-born piglets within the breedings tested ranged from 10.39 to 10.90 piglets and that of reared piglets on day 87 was between 8.60 and 9.61 heads. At a birth rate of 2.02-2.19 litters, a number of piglets produced by a sow per year was 18.83, 19.41 and 18.46 heads, respectively. Mean live weight of piglets at this age was 26.96, 27.73 and 25.8 kg, respectively (P0.05). In the process of fattening from 30-100) kg animals for slaughter achieved the mean daily live-weight gain of 0.705 and 0.7.9 kg, respectively and the food consumption per 1 kg gain was 3.56 and 3.48 kg, respectively. The lean content in carcass side was found to be higher in crossbreds - 58.7% than in purebred animals - 55.1% (P0.05). The differences in meet quality index were minimal, only BU breed pigs slaughtered at 130 kg had more cholesterol in 100 g meat - 70.9 mg than pigs slaughtered at 100 kg - 55.3 mg (BU) and 40.2 mg [BU x (Pn x Ha)], respectively (P0.05)

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