Utilisation d’accéléromètres pour évaluer l’activité physique des truies gestantes logées en groups. Développement de la méthode et utilisation dans six élevages au DAC.

The development of precision livestock farming which adjusts the food needs of each animal requires detailed knowledge of its behavior and particularly physical activity. Individual differences between animals can be observed for group‐housed sows. Accelerometer technology offers opportunities for automatic monitoring of animal behavior. The aim of the first step was to develop a methodology to attach the accelerometer on the sow’s leg, and an algorithm to automatically detect standing and lying posture. Accelerometers (Hobo Pendant G) were put in a metal case and fastened with two cable ties on the leg of 6 group‐housed sows. The data loggers recorded the acceleration on one axis every 20 s. Data were then validated by 9 hours of direct observations. The automatic recording device showed data of high sensitivity (98.8%) and specificity (99.8%). Then, accelerometers were placed on 12 to 13 group‐housed sows for 2 to 4 consecutive days in 6 commercial farms equipped with electronic sow feeding. On average each day, sows spent 259 minutes (± 114) standing and changed posture 29 (± 12) times. The sow’s standing time was repeatable day to day. Differences between sows and herds were significant. Based on behavioral data, 5 categories of sows were identified. This study suggests that the consideration of individual behavior of each animal would improve herd management.Les truies en groupes, logées au DAC, sont debout en moyenne 4h19min par jour, et changent 29 fois de posture. Une méthode a été développée pour mesurer l'activité des truies à l'aide de capteurs placés sur leur patte. Utilisée dans six élevages de production, les résultats illustrent la diversité du niveau d'activité entre les élevages et entre les animaux au sein des groupes. Ce paramètre est essentiel dans une perspective d'alimentation précise des truies en tenant compte du besoin énergétique lié à cette activité

Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farms

Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farmsThe objective of this study was to specify the level of motor activity of pregnant sows housed in groups in different housing systems. Eleven commercial farms were selected for this study. Four housing systems were represented: small groups of five to seven sows (SG), free access stalls (FS) with exercise area, electronic sow feeder with a stable group (ESFsta) or a dynamic group (ESFdyn). Ten sows in mid‐gestation were observed in each farm. The observations of motor activity were made for 6 hours at the first meal or at the start of the feeding sequence, two consecutive days and at regular intervals of 4 minutes. The results show that the motor activity of group‐housed sows depends on the housing system. The activity is higher with the ESFdyn system (standing: 55.7%), sows are less active in the SG system (standing: 26.5%), and FS system is intermediate. The distance traveled by sows in ESF system is linked to a larger area available. Thus, sows travel an average of 362 m ± 167 m in the ESFdyn system with an average available surface of 446 m² whereas sows in small groups travel 50 m ± 15 m for 15 m² available.Les modes de logement des truies en groupes se distinguent par les dimensions des cases et le système d'alimentation. Des observations ont été réalisées en élevages de production pour évaluer le niveau d'activité physique et les distances parcourues par les truies. De 50 à 500 m parcourus en 6 heures d'observation, le mode de logement impacte l'activité motrice des animaux

L'engraissement de porcs sur litière de particules de bois ou de sciure en couche fine

International audienceBalances of water and minerals, and performance of growing pigs were evaluated in a fattening pig house with litter. The pig house was isolated and mechanically ventilated, the slope of the floor was low. Two batches of 48 pigs were fattened on two thin litters. The thickness and the composition of the litter were 24 cm of sawdust in room 1 and 15 cm of wood grain in room 2. To maintain the litter in an acceptable condition, it was necessary to add sawdust or wood grain in the two rooms. At the end of the growing period, the amount of litter produced in rooms 1 and 2 were 193 and 218 l per pig, respectively. During the breeding period, around 80% of the water excreted by pigs was evaporated. In the rooms 1 and 2, 63.2% and 62.8% of the total nitrogen of the manure was removed as gases, respectively. The estimation of the ammonia flow indicated that most of the lost nitrogen was emitted as ammonia, from which 70% in the last third part of the growing period.Les bilans d’eau et d’éléments minéraux ainsi que les performances zootechniques de porcs en croissance ont été évalués dans une porcherie d’engraissement sur litière. Le bâtiment est isolé et équipé d’une ventilation dynamique et d’un sol en pente légère. Deux lots de 48 porcs ont été engraissés sur deux litières disposées en couche fine. L’épaisseur initiale de litière était de 24 cm de sciure brute dans la salle 1 et de 15 cm de particules de bois dans la salle 2. Pour maintenir la litière dans un état correct en cours d’engraissement, il a été nécessaire de rajouter de la sciure ou des particules de bois dans chacune des 2 salles. Le volume total de litière sorti de la porcherie était de 193 et 218 l/porc, respectivement dans les salles 1 et 2. En cours d’élevage, l’équivalent de 80% de l’eau excrétée par les porcs est évaporé. L’abattement d’azote est de 63,2% et 62,8% respectivement pour les salles 1 et 2. L’estimation des flux d’ammoniac laisse penser que l’essentiel de l’azote est émis sous forme ammoniacale, dont plus de 70% au cours du dernier tiers de la période d’engraissement

Utilisation d’accéléromètres pour évaluer l’activité physique des truies gestantes logées en groups. Développement de la méthode et utilisation dans six élevages au DAC.

The development of precision livestock farming which adjusts the food needs of each animal requires detailed knowledge of its behavior and particularly physical activity. Individual differences between animals can be observed for group‐housed sows. Accelerometer technology offers opportunities for automatic monitoring of animal behavior. The aim of the first step was to develop a methodology to attach the accelerometer on the sow’s leg, and an algorithm to automatically detect standing and lying posture. Accelerometers (Hobo Pendant G) were put in a metal case and fastened with two cable ties on the leg of 6 group‐housed sows. The data loggers recorded the acceleration on one axis every 20 s. Data were then validated by 9 hours of direct observations. The automatic recording device showed data of high sensitivity (98.8%) and specificity (99.8%). Then, accelerometers were placed on 12 to 13 group‐housed sows for 2 to 4 consecutive days in 6 commercial farms equipped with electronic sow feeding. On average each day, sows spent 259 minutes (± 114) standing and changed posture 29 (± 12) times. The sow’s standing time was repeatable day to day. Differences between sows and herds were significant. Based on behavioral data, 5 categories of sows were identified. This study suggests that the consideration of individual behavior of each animal would improve herd management.Les truies en groupes, logées au DAC, sont debout en moyenne 4h19min par jour, et changent 29 fois de posture. Une méthode a été développée pour mesurer l'activité des truies à l'aide de capteurs placés sur leur patte. Utilisée dans six élevages de production, les résultats illustrent la diversité du niveau d'activité entre les élevages et entre les animaux au sein des groupes. Ce paramètre est essentiel dans une perspective d'alimentation précise des truies en tenant compte du besoin énergétique lié à cette activité

ÉLEVAGE DE PORCS À QUEUE NON COUPÉE SUR CAILLEBOTIS

REARING LONG-TAILED PIGS HOUSED ON SLATTED FLOORS. Tail condition and effects of housing enrichment. To test the possibility of stopping routine tail docking, 99 pigs with undocked (QE) and 66 with docked tails (QC) from threeconsecutive batches were raised at the CRAB experimental farm in Guernévez, France. Pens differed in the level of physical enrichment available: enriched (E) with a chain or highly enriched (E+) with a chain, a rope, fresh wood and straw racks (in the fattening unit only). Pigs’ body weight, tail length and condition (from 0: no visible bite marks to 3: large wound) were measured at birth, weaning, when entering the fattening unit and when leaving for slaughter. Only 12 QE pigs had an intact tail from birth to slaughter. Overall, 83% of QE pigs were victims of tail biting after weaning and 4% only in the fattening unit. No pig had tobe removed from the pen due to a tail lesion. QE pigs had worse tail condition than QC pigs when entering the fattening unit (mean score for QE = 0.65 and QC = 0.11, P 0.10). Data on tail length and body weight allowed us to model the allometric growth of tails. All enrichment objects were used, but there was no effect of enrichment level on tail condition. This study highlights the importance of considering all risk factors from weaning to slaughterto prevent tail biting.Afin de tester la faisabilité de l’arrêt de la caudectomie en routine, 99 porcs à queue entière (QE) et 66 porcs à queue coupée (QC) sur trois bandes successives ont été élevés en contemporains à la station de la CRAB à Guernévez. Les cases se distinguent par le niveau d’enrichissement : enrichi (E) avec une chaine seule, ou enrichi supérieur (E+) avec la présence de chaine, corde, bois et râtelier de paille en engraissement. Le poids des porcs, la longueur et l’état de la queue (échelle de 0 : sans marque à 3 : plaie importante) sont mesurés à la naissance, à l’entrée et sortie du post-sevrage, et en fin d’engraissement. Seuls 12 porcs QE ont gardé leur queue intacte de la naissance au départ. Pour les porcs QE, 83% ont été victimes de caudophagie à des degrés divers dès le post sevrage, 4% en engraissement. Aucun porc n’a dû être écarté pour cause de blessure à la queue. L’état de la queue des porcs QE est moins bonne que celle des porcs QC le jour de la mise à l’engrais (note moyenne : QE = 0,65, QC = 0,11 ; P 0,10). Les mesures de longueur de queue et de poids vif ont permis la modélisation d’une courbe allométrique de croissance de la queue. Tous les objets misà disposition ont été utilisés. Le niveau d’enrichissement du milieu n’a cependant pas eu d’effet sur l’état des queues. Cette étude souligne la nécessité de prendre en compte l’ensemble des facteurs de risque dès le post-sevrage pour éviter la caudophagie

Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farms

Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farmsThe objective of this study was to specify the level of motor activity of pregnant sows housed in groups in different housing systems. Eleven commercial farms were selected for this study. Four housing systems were represented: small groups of five to seven sows (SG), free access stalls (FS) with exercise area, electronic sow feeder with a stable group (ESFsta) or a dynamic group (ESFdyn). Ten sows in mid‐gestation were observed in each farm. The observations of motor activity were made for 6 hours at the first meal or at the start of the feeding sequence, two consecutive days and at regular intervals of 4 minutes. The results show that the motor activity of group‐housed sows depends on the housing system. The activity is higher with the ESFdyn system (standing: 55.7%), sows are less active in the SG system (standing: 26.5%), and FS system is intermediate. The distance traveled by sows in ESF system is linked to a larger area available. Thus, sows travel an average of 362 m ± 167 m in the ESFdyn system with an average available surface of 446 m² whereas sows in small groups travel 50 m ± 15 m for 15 m² available.Les modes de logement des truies en groupes se distinguent par les dimensions des cases et le système d'alimentation. Des observations ont été réalisées en élevages de production pour évaluer le niveau d'activité physique et les distances parcourues par les truies. De 50 à 500 m parcourus en 6 heures d'observation, le mode de logement impacte l'activité motrice des animaux

Determinants of crop rotation choices by pig farmers in Britany

Pig farms in Brittany have on average 65 ha of cultivated area (UAA), which is far from the image of battery farming commonly accepted. There is very little data on how pig farmers use this area and moreover on the links between crop rotations and production system. The aim of this study is to review the diversity of crop rotations of pig farms and to identify factors influencing their choice. A survey was carried out in 28 swine farms in Brittany. The farms were chosen to represent a diversity of environmental situations and production systems. The survey sample is heterogeneous in size (number of animals and UAA), in effluent management and in existence of a feed production plan on farm (FPP). Content analysis of survey data shows that the determinants of crop rotation are associated with several structural criteria (the farm feed supply, effluent management, plot pattern), but also with economic, agronomical and workforce characteristics. The principal component analysis with hierarchical clustering brings out three types of crop rotation: (Gr1) a crop rotation mainly composed of wheat and maize (80% of the UAA), found in specialized farms with FPP, (Gr2) a more diverse crop rotation with mainly forage crops which is mainly found in mixed herds of cattle and pigs, (Gr3) a rotation with a greater presence of oilseed rape and a variety of grains but less maize. The latter type of crop rotation is found on specialized pig farms without FPP. Our study therefore highlights a limited range of crop rotation which are mainly explained by the farm structure (presence of cattle, FPP and to a lesser extent the plot pattern) and regulatory constraints on the management of livestock manure. We did not found a relation with the farm size (UAA and number of animals) which can be explain by a generalized over capacity production in the sample (most of the farms should have at least twice their UAA to be able to feed their herd). Our results suggest the interest of further discussion of the evolution of land use in areas with a high density of pig production, especially concerning an self-sufficiency orientation

Le choix des cultures dans les exploitations porcines en Bretagne

A qualitative survey was carried out in 28 swine farms in Brittany to detect determinants of crop rotation choices. Crop rotation was associated with several structural criteria (farm feed supply, presence of cattle or not, effluent management and its regulatory constraints, plot pattern), but also with economic, agronomical and workforce characteristics. Three types of crop rotation were identified: (1) a crop rotation mainly composed of wheat and maize (80%), found in specialized farms with feed production plan on farm (PFF), (2) a more diverse crop rotation with mainly forage crops which is mainly found in mixed herds of cattle and pigs, (3) a rotation with a greater presence of oilseed rape and a variety of grains but less maize. The latter type of crop rotation is found on specialized farms without PFF. Our results suggest the need for further discussion of the change of land use in areas with a high density of pig productionUne enquête qualitative a été menée en Bretagne auprès de 28 éleveurs de porcs naisseur -engraisseur sur les assolements de l’exploitation. Les déterminants de l’assolement sont structurels (approvisionnement de l’élevage en aliments de l’exploitation, gestion des effluents et ses contraintes réglementaires, présence d’un atelier bovin, parcellaire), mais également économiques, agronomiques et humains. Trois types d’assolement ressortent : (1) composé à 80% de blé et de maïs, présent principalement dans les élevages spécialisés avec fabrication d’aliment à la ferme ; (2) un assolement plus diversifié avec principalement des cultures fourragères surtout dans les élevages mixtes porc - bovin ; (3) plus de colza, diversité de céréales à paille et moins de maïs grain, dans des élevages spécialisés sans fabrication d’aliment à la ferme. Nos résultats permettent ainsi de discuter l’évolution de l’usage du sol dans les régions à forte densité de production porcine