Effects of feed-back from the nest on maternal responsiveness and postural changes in primiparous sows during the first 24 h after farrowing onset

Abstract In order to elucidate whether feed-back from a farrowing nest affects the sows’ activity level and responsiveness to piglets during the first 24 h after the onset of parturition, 18 primiparous Landrace × Yorkshire sows were given the opportunity to build a farrowing nest of peat, straw and branches in Schmid pens. Eight treatment sows then had their nest removed 8–10 h after the onset of nest-building and again every 4 h until farrowing began, whereas 10 control sows were allowed to keep the nest. During the first 24 h after birth of the first piglet the behaviour of the sows and piglets was observed and heart rate of the sows monitored using a transmitter belt and watch receiver. The frequency of postural changes and a maternal responsiveness index was calculated. In addition, time from birth of each piglet until it suckled for the first time was calculated. In the treatment group there was a constantly higher level of maternal responsiveness ( P P P =0.05). The frequency of postural changes also was higher during the first 2 h ( P P =0.05). Heart rate gradually declined over the first 8 h after birth of the first piglet ( P P

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