title: Risk factors for development of lameness in gestating sows within the first days after moving to group housing.
abstract: Lameness in sows is an important welfare issue that is affected by housing conditions and is thought to be influenced by hierarchical fights within the first days after mixing sows in groups. A longitudinal study in 15 randomly selected herds was performed to investigate the incidence of sow lameness and possible risk factors within the first days of group housing. Each herd was visited just before and again 3-5 days after the sows were moved to group housing. The floor characteristics and dimensions of the group housing facilities were assessed. Locomotion ability, body condition, skin lesions and degree of faecal soiling were recorded for all sows. Additional information on housing and management was obtained using a questionnaire. Amongst the 810 sows included in the study, the mean lameness incidence was 13.1% (95% confidence interval 10.9-15.6%). Following binomial logistic regression analysis, sows with >10% of the body covered with faeces had an increased risk for development of lameness (odds ratio, OR = 2.33, P = 0.001). An increase in space allowance from 1.7 m2to 3.0 m2(OR = 0.40, P = 0.03) and of herd size from 144 to 750 sows per herd (OR = 0.71, P = 0.02) decreased the risk of development of lameness. Neither the degree of aggression, indicated by skin lesions, nor the floor characteristics influenced the development of lameness. These results indicate that sows can benefit from a larger floor area.
authors.affiliation: Technology and Food Sciences Unit, Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan 115 bus 1, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium; Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium.
authors.forename: Liesbet M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pluym
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominiek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Technology and Food Sciences Unit, Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan 115 bus 1, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Weyenberg
authors.affiliation: Technology and Food Sciences Unit, Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan 115 bus 1, Merelbeke 9820, Belgium. Electronic address: annelies.vannuffel@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Nuffel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D015994:Incidence; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Floor area; Group housing; Lameness; Risk factors; Sow