Integrated production of tree biomass and piglets - Effect of paddock design on sow excretory behaviour

摘要

In systems with an integrated production of trees and piglets it is important that the lactating sows are motivated to urinate and defecate adjacent to the trees to reduce nutrient losses. Adding poplar trees in one end of individual pasture-based paddocks did not motivate the sows to choose the area with trees for elimination independent of paddock design. The location of feed and hut influenced the sows’ excretory behaviour and the effect differed between the different combination of feed and hut location. Future work should focus further on overall paddock design to optimize nutrient uptake and to ensure an outdoor system that from both a welfare- and environmentally point of view is sustainable.