Examining the links between temperature, piglet behaviour and survival during winter in outdoor housing in Australia
Amelia H Sofra, Lauren M Hemsworth, Megan E Lucas

TL;DR
Cold temperatures in outdoor pig housing in Australia increase piglet mortality and affect their behavior, highlighting welfare and productivity concerns.
Contribution
This study identifies the impact of hut temperature on piglet survival and behavior in outdoor systems, revealing increased mortality with colder conditions.
Findings
Lower hut temperatures correlated with increased pre-weaning piglet mortality in the first five days of life.
Cold temperatures led to increased shivering, huddling, and sow contact among piglets.
Proximity to the sow did not increase piglet mortality, contrary to expectations.
Abstract
Cold stress is a significant welfare concern for piglets, particularly in outdoor housing systems where the ambient climate cannot be controlled. To deal with cold stress, piglets engage in heat-inducing behaviours, such as maintaining proximity to the sow, however this is a major risk factor for overlays. This research examined the effect of outdoor farrowing hut temperature on piglet survival and behaviour and found that lowered hut temperatures led to increased pre-weaning mortality. Two hundred sows and their litters were studied over six time replicates during winter in Australia at a commercial outdoor piggery. As daily minimum hut temperature decreased, piglet mortality increased on the first day of life, and across days one to four of life, but not from five days onwards. As hut temperature decreased, piglets were more likely to be shivering, huddling in one group, and resting…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAnimal Behavior and Welfare Studies · Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock · Animal Nutrition and Physiology
