Facteurs influençant le comportement alimentaire et les performances du porc sevré: l'équipement d'alimentation.

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2005), 149(2), 61-74

Among the most important elements of the nursery pen design, the feeder allows or not the optimisation of pigs' performance. Two principal design features can characterize a feeder : the way pigs will be ... [more ▼]

Among the most important elements of the nursery pen design, the feeder allows or not the optimisation of pigs' performance. Two principal design features can characterize a feeder : the way pigs will be fed ( wet, dry or wet/dry) and its capacity, which depends in turn on the trough length or the number of feeding spaces ( mono - or multi- space feeder and communal trough). To determine the number of pigs that can be accommodated per feeder, the daily time spent per pig at the feeder - depending on pig size and feed delivered - must be taken into account. Recommendations of 4 to 10 weaned pigs per feeding space are generally given. Pigs are able to adapt their eating behaviour when crowding occurs but suboptimal situations may reduce feed intake and productivity and even impair welfare. Some particularities of the feeder such as limited depth, feeder gap opening, lip height, side panels or protective crate can limit feed spillage and/ or agonistic interactions at the feeder. Feeder position in the pen should prevent pigs to be disturbed while eating and allow free movement of penmates. [less ▲]

Gaseous emissions from deep-litter pens with straw or sawdust for fattening pigs

in Animal Science (2004), 78(Part 1), 99-107

Three successive batches of fattening pigs were raised on a deep litter of straw in one room and of sawdust in another. The quantities of litter used per pig were 40 kg of straw and 81 kg of sawdust. Once ... [more ▼]

Three successive batches of fattening pigs were raised on a deep litter of straw in one room and of sawdust in another. The quantities of litter used per pig were 40 kg of straw and 81 kg of sawdust. Once a month, the emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide and water vapour were measured continuously for 6 days consecutively. Gaseous emissions from pig raising on sawdust-based litter and straw-based litter were respectively 12.16 and 13.61 g per pig per day for ammonia (NH3), 4.96 and 7.39 g per pig per day for methane (CH4), 2.09 and 0.03 g per pig per day for nitrous oxide (N2O), 3.15 and 2.74 kg per pig per day for water (H2O) and 1.32 and 1.30 kg per pig per day for carbon dioxide (CO2). Differences between the emissions of the two litters were significant for N2O and H2O (P < 0.01). The nitrogen content of the manures collected at the end of the experiment was 1.47 kg per pig for the straw-based litter and 1.07 kg per pig for that based on sawdust. Nitrogen emissions were calculated under the assumption that no gases volatilized from the litter or from the animals other than NH3 and N2O. With the two litters, about 50% of nitrogen excreted by the pigs was emitted into the atmosphere in the form of N-2. [less ▲]

Impacts des aménagements de porcheries sur les émissions d'ammoniac et de gaz à effet de serre

in Proceedings de la quatrième journée Productions porcines et avicoles (2004)

Caractéristiques techniques et aspects environnementaux de l’élevage de porcs charcutiers et de porcelets sevrés sur litières accumulées

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2004), 148(1), 31-38

The technique of raising pigs on deep litter consists of leaving the animals on a 30 to 50 cm depth of straw or sawdust which can be used for several batches. This article gives a synthesis on ... [more ▼]

The technique of raising pigs on deep litter consists of leaving the animals on a 30 to 50 cm depth of straw or sawdust which can be used for several batches. This article gives a synthesis on experimental results on rearing 3 to 4 successive batches of fattening pigs or 5 to 6 batches of weaned pigs on straw-based or sawdust-based deep litters. For fattening pigs, this rearing technique required on average 80 kg of sawdust or 45 kg of straw per pig and produced, on average, 123 kg per pig of sawdust-based compost or 159 kg per pig of straw-based manure with a nitrogen content of 1.29 kg and 1.87 kg respectively. For weaned pigs, the rearing technique required on average 15 kg of sawdust or 6 kg of straw per pig and produced, on average, 17 kg of sawdust-based compost per pig or an equivalent quantity of straw-based manure with a nitrogen content of 177 g and 210 g respectively. The cumulative greenhouse gases emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O), calculated in CO2 equivalents, were higher with sawdust-based litter than with straw-based litter of 42 % during fattening periods and of 53% during post-weaning periods. On the contrary, NH3 emissions were higher from the strawbased litter than from the sawdust-based litter but only during post- weaning periods (+ 160 %), not during fattening periods. None of the two litters presents a decisive advantage on the other on an environmental point of view. [less ▲]

Influence of diet form (pellets or meal) on the optimal number of weaned pigs per feeding space

in Journal of Swine Health and Production (2004), 12(6, NOV-DEC), 288-295

Objectives: To assess the influence of group size and diet form on performance and feeding behavior of weaned pigs and to determine an optimal number of pigs per feeding space for pellets or meal provided ... [more ▼]

Objectives: To assess the influence of group size and diet form on performance and feeding behavior of weaned pigs and to determine an optimal number of pigs per feeding space for pellets or meal provided in a tube feeder. Methods: During six consecutive trials, feeding behavior and performance of groups comprising 30 (G30), 40 (G40), or 50 (G50) weaned pigs were compared for 6 weeks after weaning. A tube feeder was used for all groups, delivering either pellets or meal (trough length 64 cm; two integrated drinkers). Results: Mean ADG was 5% higher when pigs were fed pellets rather than meal (P = .06). Whatever the diet, ADG was lower in G50 than in G40 (P < .05). In groups fed meal, ADG was lower in G40 than in G30 (P < .001). Average time using the feeder was 4.7 minutes per hour for pigs fed pellets, and 7.3 minutes per hour for pigs fed meal (P = .003). Overall feeder occupation rates during the day were 139 +/- 30% for meal and 93 +/- 21% for pellets (P = .01), and during the night, 91 +/- 33% for meal and 54 +/- 15% for pellets (P = .03), assuming 100% is four pigs eating simultaneously during the observation period. Implications: Diet form influences the optimal number of pigs per feeder space. For the tube feeders in this study, the recommended maximum number of pigs per feeding space is 6.5 for pigs fed meal and 10.2 for pigs fed pellets. [less ▲]

Emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide and water vapor in the raising of weaned pigs on straw-based and sawdust-based deep litters

in Animal Research (2003), 52(3, MAY-JUN), 299-308

Five successive batches of 40 weaned pigs were raised on deep litter of sawdust or straw without changing the litter in between batches. The quantity of litter dry matter utilized in the two cases was 5 ... [more ▼]

Five successive batches of 40 weaned pigs were raised on deep litter of sawdust or straw without changing the litter in between batches. The quantity of litter dry matter utilized in the two cases was 5 kg per pig. The concentrations of gases were measured 8 times, at about one-month intervals, for 6 consecutive days and the ventilation flow was recorded continuously. Pig raising on saw-dust-based litter differed from that with straw by an emission of 2.6 times less ammonia (0.46 vs. 1.21 g per pig per day), 2.1 times less methane (0.77 vs. 1.58 g per pig per day), 3.9 times more N2O (1.39 vs. 0.36 g per pig per day), 4% more CO2 (481 vs. 463 g per pig per day) and 21% more H2O (1126 vs. 933 g per pig per day). All differences were significant. About 58% of the nitrogen excreted by the pigs was recovered in the gas form and for the two litters, about 79% in the form of N-2. [less ▲]

Emissions d’ammoniac, de protoxyde d’azote, de méthane, de gaz carbonique et de vapeur d’eau lors de l’élevage de porcs charcutiers sur litière accumulées de paille et de sciure

in 35èmes Journées de la Recherche Porcine (2003)

Prise en compte du bien-être des animaux dans l’aménagement des porcheries : les aspects réglementaires

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2002), 146(1), 39-42

A new directive laying down standards for the protection of pigs was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (directive 2001/88/CE ; OJC 1 Decembre 2001). This directive is amending ... [more ▼]

A new directive laying down standards for the protection of pigs was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (directive 2001/88/CE ; OJC 1 Decembre 2001). This directive is amending directive 91/630/CEE entered into force in Belgium in 1994. The three main topics refer to : the characteristics of the flooring surfaces, pregnant sows housing and the feeding systems. This paper details and discusses these topics and other points involving modifications of pig housing and management. [less ▲]

Resting and feeding behaviors of Holstein cows around calving: effects of parity

in Proceedings 35th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology (2001)

Emissions d'ammoniac, de protoxyde d'azote, de méthane, de gaz carbonique et de vapeur d'eau lors de l'élevage de porcs charcutiers sur litière accumulée de sciure: quantification et corrélations avec le niveau d'activités des animaux

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2001), 145(6), 357-364

During a 4-month fattening period, emissions of NH3, N2O, CH4, CO2 and H2O from a pig house with fattening pigs on deep litter was measured once a month during four days (one measurement every 30 min ... [more ▼]

During a 4-month fattening period, emissions of NH3, N2O, CH4, CO2 and H2O from a pig house with fattening pigs on deep litter was measured once a month during four days (one measurement every 30 min). The activity rate of the animals was also measured hourly as the mean proportion of standing animals observed each two minutes. The mean daily emissions of gas, calculated per pig, were 9,5 g NH3, 3,2 g N2O, 4,8 g CH4, 1,3 kg CO2 and 3,3 kg water vapour. Emissions increased during the fattening period, the values observed at the end being 50%, 50%, 680% and 1000% higher than those at the beginning, for CO2, H2O, CH4 and NH3 respectively. Emissions of N2O were however higher at the beginning than at the end of the fattening period. The activity rate of the pigs followed a circadian rhythm, pigs being observed in a standing position much more frequently during the day than during the night, especially in the morning, at the end of the afternoon and at the beginning of the evening. The activity rate decreased continuously during the fattening period, from 22,6 +/- 4,1% to 8,8 +/- 0,5%. Within each monthly observation period, the hourly emissions of NH3, CO2 and H2O were positively correlated with the pigs' activity rate, the mean correlation coefficients being 0,61 for NH3, 0,71 for CO2 and 0,75 for water vapour. The correlation coefficients were not significant for N2O and CH4 in periods 2 et 3 but significant in periods 1 and 4 with mean values of -0,55 for N2O and +0,26 for CH4. [less ▲]