Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Agribusiness
Sow Preference For Farrowing-Crate Width, P. A. Phillips, David Fraser, B. K. Thompson
Sow Preference For Farrowing-Crate Width, P. A. Phillips, David Fraser, B. K. Thompson
Housing and Confinement of Farm Animals Collection
A preference-testing apparatus was designed to provide sows with continuous access to three farrowing crates of different widths. The crates radiated from a central hub area sufficiently large for sows to enter or leave any crate freely. In exp. 1, nine sows were offered crates of 450-, 600- and 750-mm width at standing height. In exp. 2, 12 sows were offered widths of 450, 750 and 1200 mm, the largest being of sufficient width for the sow to turn around. Video recording was used to determine sow position from 3 d before to 6 d after farrowing. In exp. 1, …