Housing and feeding systems for sows and their reproductive traits [influence of very limited movement of gilts]

The influence of limited moving of gilts on the productive and reproductive properties was investigated. Swedish Landrace gilts raised under standard conditions were used in the investigation. Two uniform groups were formed at the weight of 100 kg and the age of 200 days. After 10 days' preparatory period the service, lasting 25 days, started. After the service the experimental group gilts were wedged in 0.60x2.0 m of size, where they remained until the 110 th pregnancy day. After weaning of 42-day-old piglets they were wedged again. Service for the 2 nd farrowing was in the boar stalls. The average weight of the experimental group gilts was larger in all stages during both farrowings. The differences were 2.6-13.6 kg and the final value of the weight of gilts at 90 pregnancy days was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Out of the starting number of gilts, 5 in the experimental and 2 in the control group were not mated. Out of the number of mated gilts in the control group, the 1 st litter had 81.0% and the 2 nd one 38.1% sows. In the experimental group the 1 st litter had 62.5% and in the 2 nd farrowing there were 56.3%. Separate keeping with limited moving and limited feeding of gilts after the 1st service did not influence negatively the length of using sows. A larger number of liveborn and a smaller number of still-born piglets and a larger number of raised piglets (at the age of 28-42 days) was found in both farrowings in the experimental group. Duel to a small sample, the great differences are not statistically important. Piglets of the experimental group sows were lighter in both farrowings, but the difference was not statistically significant, because of the small sample. On the basis of the results obtained it is concluded that limited moving affects the reduction of the milk capacity of sows.