Behavioral Insights Impacting Preweaning Mortality

Authors

Md Towfiqur Rahman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
G. A. Rohrer, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, United States Meat Animal Research Center
S. R. Sharma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Y. Shi, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
S. M. Leonard, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Tami M. Brown-Bandl, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

ORCID IDs

Rahman 0000-0001-9520-2753

Document Type

Abstract

Date of this Version

2025

Citation

Abstract

Animal Science Proceedings (2025) 16(4): 538-539

3rd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference (USPLF 2025), June 2-5, 2025, Lincoln, Nebraska

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Conclusions

This study investigated the average time spent on posture behaviors (lying, kneeling, sitting, standing) of sows by analyzing the effects of time segments, farrowing crate types, parity, heat lamp configurations, and mortality groups. Sow posture behaviors were significantly influenced by mortality, parity, crate type, heat lamps, and day category. High mortality sows spent less time lying and more time standing events. Parity 1, 2, 3 sows were more active, spending more time kneeling in transitions, lying, and sitting events. Sows in TSL crate had longer lateral right lying and standing events, while ESCSL crates sows had longer sitting events. Two heat lamp settings increased resting time in lying sternally, post-farrowing days had longer lateral lying, while pre-farrowing days had longer standing events. Kneeling remained consistent across all conditions. These findings highlight the importance of posture duration, frequency, and management factors in reducing piglet mortality. Future research should integrate these variables into a mothering ability index (MAI) to guide management strategies and improve sow and piglet welfare.