Floor Slat Direction is Related to Severity of Superficial Claw Lesions on Hind Limbs in Gestating Sows, but not Reproductive Performance and Behavior

摘要

The objectives of the present study were to compare the occurrence of claw lesions, behavior and reproductive performance of pregnant sows housed on either parallel (PRL) or perpendicular slatted floors (PPD). A farrow-to-finish farm was visited threetimes in 2008 to observe hind claw lesions and behavior of pregnant sows. Sows were housed in a gestation barn with stalls fitted with either PRL or PPD concrete floor slats. Lesions were scored using a five-point score method (0-4) for each of the sixclaw areas in each sow's four hind claws and overgrown heel was additionally scored. Assessments of lesion scores included total claw lesion score (TCLS) and the highest claw lesion score (HCLS) for each sow and claw area, respectively. TCLS for each sowwas obtained by summing the scores of the six areas of the four claws and TCLS for each claw area was the sum of that areas scores for the four hind claws. The respective HCLS were the highest scores for any claw area, and that for each specific claw area. We also recorded relative frequency (%) of postural behavior and stereotypies by point sampling at15-minute intervals over a six hour period. Reproductive performance data were collected for each sow on the different slatted floors. Linear mixed-effects models were used for comparisons. The mean (+ - SEM) TCLS for the162 sows was 9.5 士 0.44, and proportions of sows with HCLS 0，1,2, 3 and 4 were 1.2, 39.4， 54.5, 4.3 and 0.6%, respectively. Sows on the PPD floors had higher TCLS for the heel area than those on the PRL floors (Pく0.05). No differences were found between the PPD and PRL slats for TCLS for each sow or for any claw area of sows (P>0.10). Sows on the PPD floor had higher proportions of HCLS >=1 in wall and heel areas than those on thePRL floor (P < 0.05). However, no differences were found between the PPD and PRL slats for the proportions of sows with HCLS > 2 and > 3 in any area (P>0.10). There were no differences in behavior or reproductive performance indicators between the PRL and PPD floors (P>0.10). In conclusion, PPD floor slats tended to increase superncial claw lesions, but there was no relationship between floor slat direction and either behavior or reproductive performance in pregnant sows.