Comparative studies on the incidence of disease among suckling piglets maintained in farrowing pens with different manure handling systems

Abstract Two different manure systems were studied with regard to their effects on sow morbidity and on piglet morbidity and mortality during the suckling period. It was concluded that farrowing accommodation with totally perforated floors and liquid manure handling where the manure is only removed when the houses are empty, offers a production alternative which, in terms of preweaning pig losses, weight gains, animal health and general work environment, compares favourably with conventional pig houses using solid manure handling.