INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND MICROCLIMATE FACTORS ON FEEDING BEHAVIOUR IN PIGS

Suvremeni način uzgoja svinja nezamisliv je bez poznavanja osnovnih bioloških, etoloških te hranidbenih značajki svinja. Svinje su društvene životinje, a organizacija skupine osniva se na uređenoj društvenoj hijerarhiji. Na socijalnu hijerarhiju, osim smještajnih uvjeta, utječu dob, spol, tjelesna masa te karakter jedinke. Osjetila uvjetuju različite oblike vladanja svinja, uključujući i vladanje tijekom uzimanja hrane. Uvažavajući hijerarhijske odnose te veličinu skupine, svinjama je potrebno osigurati dovoljno prostora za hranjenje. Uz socijalne, poseban naglasak treba staviti i na optimalne mikroklimatske čimbenike (temperatura, vlažnost zraka, štetni plinovi u zraku, strujanje zraka, osvjetljenost), te pravilno ophođenje čovjeka sa životinjama. U suprotnom, svinje će ispoljiti agresivno vladanje, što će se negativno odraziti na njihovo zdravlje, reprodukciju te, konačno, na cjelokupnu proizvodnju.Modern system of pigs husbandry is unthinkable without knowledge of basic biological, ethological and feeding characteristics of pigs. Pigs are social animals and organizing groups of pigs is based on ragulated social hierarchy. Besides accommodation conditions, social hierarchy is affected by age, sex, body weight and the character of individuals. Senses are responsible for different forms of behavior in pigs, including feeding behaviour. Considering hierarchical relations and size of the group, it is neccessary to ensure sufficient feeding space for pigs. Besides social, particular accent should be also put on optimal microclimate factors (temperature, air humidity, noxious gases in the air, air circulation, lighting) and proper treatment of animals. Otherwise, pigs will display aggressive behavior, that will have an negative influence on health, reproduction and, finally, on total production

Effect of litter type and perches on footpad dermatitis and hock burn in broilers housed at different stocking densities

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of litter type and environmental enrichment on the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns in broilers housed at low and high stocking densities. Chopped straw and sand were used as litter, and perches as environmental enrichment. Low and high stocking density implied 12 chickens/m2 and 20 chickens/m2, respectively. The study sample was divided into four groups of 50 birds, which were observed during a six-week fattening period. A significantly higher rate of severe footpad dermatitis was recorded in the group of chickens raised on sand at high stocking density, compared with low stocking density, whereas no significant difference was found between the groups of chickens raised on straw at different stocking densities. The rate of footpad dermatitis was also significantly higher in the group of chickens raised on sand at high stocking density, compared with chickens raised on straw at the same stocking density. There were no group differences in the occurrences of hock burns and perching. However, a significant negative correlation was recorded between perching and the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns. According to the occurrence of footpad dermatitis and hock burns, the study results suggested that chopped straw and sand were equally acceptable as litter for broilers, yet sand should be avoided at high stocking densities. There was no effect of stocking density and litter type on perching, but perches as a form of environmental enrichment proved efficient in reducing the rate of footpad dermatitis and hock burns.Keywords: chickens, contact dermatitis, environmental enrichment, housing, san

ROLE OF DRINKER HYGIENE IN MODERN PIG PRODUCTION

Svinje u uzgoju trebaju imati uvijek na raspolaganju vodu za piće, a dnevna količina vode ovisi o kategoriji svinja i uvjetima smještaja. U suvremenom svinjogojstvu za pojidbu se koriste različiti tipovi automatskih pojilica čija je primarna uloga da osiguraju svježu i zdravstveno ispravnu vodu te spriječe njezino prolijevanje. Međutim, unutar cijevi pojilica neke bakterije mogu stvoriti biofilm, čime zadržavaju infektivnost te otpornost na djelovanje antimikrobnih sredstava. Stoga se u cilju sprječavanja hidričnih infekcija, za higijenu pojilica, preporučuju ekološki i zdravstveno prihvatljiva oksidacijska dezinfekcijska sredstva koja ne ostavljaju rezidue.Pigs in breeding on disposal always must have drinking water, and daily amount of water depends on category of pigs and housing conditions. In modern pig production for drinking are used different types of automated drinkers of which primary role is to ensure fresh and healthy acceptable water and to prevent its effusion. However, inside of drinker pipes some bacteria can form biofilm, what helps them to maintain persistent infection and to tolerate the presence of antimicrobials. So in order to prevent hydric infections, for drinker hygiene, are recommended ecologically and healthy acceptable oxidising disinfection compounds which don\u27t leave residues

INFLUENCE OF HOUSING CONDITIONS AND NUMBER OF ANIMALS ON HYGIENIC AIR QUALITY IN THE FARROWING PEN

Istraživani su primarni mikroklimatski pokazatelji (temperatura, relativna vlaga, brzina strujanja zraka, koncentracija amonijaka u objektu) te prisutnost bakterija i gljivica u dva suvremeno opremljena prasilišta radi analize postojeće higijenske kakvoće zraka u intenzivnoj proizvodnji, obzirom na broj životinja i specifičnosti smještaja. Prasilište A veličine je 770 m2 i podijeljeno u dva jednaka dijela površine 385 m2 sa 60 boksova za prasenje. Prasilište B veličine je 472,5 m2 i podijeljeno u četiri zasebna prostora, od kojih su tri površine 112,5 m2, a jedan veličine 135 m2 te je svaki opremljen s 20 boksova za prasenje. Prasilište A opremljeno je ručnim, a prasilište B automatskim sustavom za regulaciju mikroklime. U svakom dijelu objekta A tijekom prvog turnusa bilo je smješteno 55, drugog 60 i u trećem turnusu 57 krmača, dok su dijelovi objekta B uvijek bili maksimalno popunjeni s 20 krmača po prostornoj jedinici. U svakom turnusu, od 24 - 25 dana, obavljeno je u istim vremenskim razmacima 6 uzorkovanja zraka uređajem SAS 100TM (PBI International, Italija), te praćenje primarnih mikroklimatskih parametara uređajima Testo i Dräger (Njemačka) u biozoni životinja. Zrak je uzorkovan na odgovarajuće hranjive podloge za izolaciju mezofilnih bakterija i gljivica, a dobiveni rezultati su statistički obrađeni. Prema dobivenim rezultatima prosječan broj bakterija tijekom istraživanja u oba objekta kretao se na razini 104 CFU/m3 zraka, a gljivica do 103 CFU/m3 zraka, što predstavlja optimalne parametre za ovu fazu svinjogojske proizvodnje. Tako zadovoljavajuća mikrobiološka kakvoća zraka, dovodi se u vezu s utvrđenim ostalim primarnim mikroklimatskim parametrima u optimalnim granicama. Utvrđene razlike u koncentraciji mikroorganizama u zraku s manjim brojem u objektu B mogle bi se objasniti konstrukcijom objekta na manje prostorne jedinice u kojima je moguće postići bolju mikrobiološku kakvoću zraka, nego li u dva veća prostorna dijela objekta A. Na osnovu cjelokupnih rezultata može se zaključiti da pri suvremenim uvjetima smještaja u prasilištu, uz poštivanje normativa u pogledu kapaciteta životinja po objektu, treba očekivati optimalne vrijednosti temperature, relativne vlage, brzine strujanja zraka i koncentracije amonijaka, te mikrobiološku kakvoću zraka, koja će u kontekstu mikroklimatskog kompleksa utjecati na zadovoljavajuću dobrobit životinja.This research is based on microclimate indicators (temperature, relative humidity, velocity of air flow, ammonia concentration in the object), as well as the presence of bacteria and fungi in two modernly equipped farrowing pens, due to the analysis of the existing hygienic air quality in the intensive production, regarding the number of animals and specific quality of their housing. The farrowing pen A is the size of 770 m² and is divided into two equal parts of the surface of 385 m² with 60 farrowing boxes. The farrowing pen B is the size of 472,5 m² and is divided into four separated spaces, out of which three surfaces are 112,5 m² and the one is 135 m², each equipped with 20 farrowing boxes. The farrowing pen A is equipped with manual and the farrowing pen B with automatic system for microclimate regulation. There were 55 sows in each part of the A object during the first shift, 60 sows during the second and there were 57 sows during the third shift, while parts of the B object were filled up to a maximum with 20 sows per area unit. During each shift of 24 - 25 days at the same intervals, 6 air patternings were taken by the device SAS 100™ (PBI International, Italy), as well as the observation of primary microclimate parameters by Testo and Dräger devices (Germany) in the animals\u27 biozone. The air is patterned on appropriate nutritious surfaces for the isolation of mesophyle bacteria and fungi, and received results are statistically analyzed. According to the results, an average number of bacteria during the research in both objects was on the level of 104 CFU/m³ of the air and fungi up to 10³ CFU/m³ of the air, that gives optimal parameters for this stage of pig breeding production. Such an adequate microbiological air quality is in connection with the determined primary microclimate parameters in optimal limits. The determined differences in the concentration of microorganisms in the air, with smaller number in the B object, could be explained due to the construction of object to lesser area units in which it is possible to achieve better microbiological air quality than in two bigger spatial parts of the A object. On the basis of overall results it can be concluded that under modern conditions of the housing in the farrowing pen, with regard to the standard considering animals\u27 capacity per object, one should expect optimal values of temperature, relative humidity, velocity of air flow and ammonia concentration, as well as microbiological air quality, that will influence the appropriate animals\u27 welfare in the context of microclimate complex. The obtained values of the number of bacteria and fungi in these studies should also be considered as one of the starting points for setting the standard of microbiological air quality in farrowing pens

PROCEDURES WITH LIQUID MANURE IN INTENSIVE PIG PRODUCTION

Jedan od sporednih proizvoda u svinjogojskoj proizvodnji je otpadna fekalna animalna tvar odnosno tekući gnoj. To je smjesa fecesa, mokraće i tehnološke otpadne vode s primjesama, koja nastaje pri sustavnom držanju svinja na rešetkastom podu. Kvaliteta i uporaba tekućeg gnoja ovise o njegovim fizikalno – kemijskim svojstvima, te o pravilnim tehnološkim postupcima izgnojavanja i obrade. Nakon prikupljanja u objektima za svinje, gnoj se putem kanala za izgnojavanje doprema do sabirnih bazena te uređaja za separaciju gnoja na čvrstu i tekuću frakciju. Tekuća frakcija se od separatora usmjerava prema lagunama, gdje se obavlja biološka razgradnja u aerobnim ili anaerobnim uvjetima, te spremanje, sve do upotrebe za gnojenje tla. Ukoliko gnoj potječe od zaraženih životinja, potrebno je provesti sanitarnu obradu kontaminiranog gnoja.One of by – products in pig production is faecal animal waste, in other words liquid manure. It is mixture of faecal matter, urin and technological waste water with additions, which is produced in systematic pig keeping on lattice floor. Quality and use of liquid manure depend on its physical – chemical characteristics, and on proper technological procedures of manure transposal and cultivation. After collecting in pig facilities, manure is via transposal canal delivered to collecting pools and device for manure separation on its solid and liquid fraction. Liquid fraction is drained from separator to lagunes, where is carried out biological decomposition in aerobic or anaerobic conditions, and disposal, until utilization for soil fertilization. If manure comes from diseased animals, it is necessary to conduct sanitary treatment of contaminated manure

UČINAK SEZONE NA POKAZATELJE VELIČINE LEGLA U CRNE SLAVONSKE PASMINE SVINJA I PASMINE SVINJA“NERO DI PARMA”

The aim of this study was to analyse the litter size traits in two genotypes of pig population with black coat: Black Slavonian (BS) and “Nero di Parma” (NP). Data analysis included records from the 1st to 4th parity separately, and all parities (from 1st to 11th) for the following traits: Total Number of Born (TNB), Number of Born Alive (NBA), and Number of Weaned (NW) piglets, collected from 296 BS and 421 NP sows. Litter size traits from 1st to 4th paritywas analysed separately for each breed and ANOVA Repetead Measure test was used to calculate the difference between parities. The analysis of seasonality in all parities was performed using the General Linear Model.Significant differences (P<0.05) between-parity in BS were observed in the 1st and 3rd as well in the 1st and 4th parities for TNB and NW. Only for the NBA difference (P<0.05) was found between 1st and 3rd parities.Differences (P<0.05) in NP pigs were reported between the 1st and 3rd as between 1st and 4th parity for TNB and NBA. First-parity sows for NW shows significant differences (P<0.05) in relation to 2nd, 3rd and 4th parity. In all parities analysed according to the seasons significant differences was recorded between summer and autumn period for TNB (P<0.05) in BS. Difference (P<0.05) was also obtained for NBA between spring and autumn, as well as for summer and autumn season. In all parity analysis in BS pig, the NW (P<0.05) showed differences only between spring and summer period. Season in all parity analysis had a significant impact on litter size traits in NP pig. Differences (P<0.05) was obtained for TNB, NBA and NW among spring-winter, summerwinter and autumn-winter period.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je analizirati pokazatelje veličine legla u dvije populacije svinja: crne slavonske pasmine svinja (CS) i crne pasmine svinja “Nero di Parma” (NP). Analizirani su pokazatelji veličine legla: ukupan broj oprasenih (UOO), živooprasenih (ŽO) i broj odbijenih odojaka (BOO) od prvog do četvrtog prasenjaza svaku pasminu. Skupnom analizom od prvog do jedanaestog legala prikazani su rezultati UOO, ŽO i BOO po sezoni prasenja. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno 296 krmača CS i 421 krmača NP. Testiranje razlika navedenih pokazatelja od prvog do četvrtog prasenja provedena je analizom varijance s ponovljenim mjerenjima. Podaci skupne analize po sezoni prasenja prikazani su pomoću općeg linearnog modela izračuna. Statističkom obradom podataka utvrđena je značajna razlika (p<0,05) između prvog i trećeg prasenja te prvog i četvrtog prasenja za svojstva UOO i BOO u CS, dok je značajna razlika (p<0,05) u broju ŽO usta-novoljena samo između prvog i trećeg prasenja. Razlika u broju UOO i ŽO bila je značajna (p<0,05) između prvopraskinja u odnosu na treće-i četvrtopraskinje NP. Najmanji BOO u NP zabilježen je u prvopraskinja te su razlike bile značajne (p<0,05) u usporedbi s drugim, trećim i četvrtim prasenjem. Skupnom analizom prasenja utvrđene su značajne razlike (p<0,05) za UOO između ljetne i jesenske sezone te za ŽO između jesenske i proljetne sezone te jesenske i ljetne sezone prasenja (p<0,05). Nadalje, značajna razlika (p<0,05) u BOO zabilježena je između proljetne i ljetne sezone prasenja. Broj UOO, ŽO i BOO u NP tijekom zimske sezone bio je značajno manji (p<0,05) u odnosu na zabilježene vrijednosti tijekom proljetne, ljetne i jesenke sezone prasenja

HERD HEALTH MANAGEMENT, LEGISLATION AND RISK FACTORS IN PRESERVATION OF AUTOCHTHONOUS ANIMAL BREEDS

Zaštita zdravlja je integralni dio uzgoja svih vrsta životinja. Bolesti domaćih životinja, pa tako i izvornih pasmina jesu ne samo zdravstveni već i socio-ekonomski problem. Pojava bolesti unutar populacija izvornih pasmina životinja dovodi do ekonomskih gubitaka uslijed manje proizvodnje, uginuća ili nemogućnosti korištenja proizvoda životinjskog podrijetla. Smanjenje populacija izvornih pasmina je sociološki i ekološki problem, u smislu očuvanja biološke raznolikosti kao dijela kulturne baštine pojedinog kraja. Bolesti su velika opasnost pogotovo za male populacije, rasprostranjene na manjem području, očuvane in vivo i in situ bez ex situ postupaka, jer može doći do ugroze cijele populacije. Zakonom propisane mjere o postupanju u slučaju izbijanja pojedinih bolesti, odnosno o preve-ntivnim postupcima kod pojedinih vrsta odnose se na sve životinja jednako. U Hrvatskoj je zakonska osnova izjednačena ili u procesu izjednačavanja s legislativom EU. Zdravstvena zaštita izvornih pasmina domaćih životinja trebala bi se temeljiti prvenstveno na preventivnim mjerama kako bi se smanjili mogući rizici za navedene populacije. Pod preventivom mislimo na preventivno cijepljenje, ali i pravilnu hranidbu, higijenu vode za piće, optimalne mikroklimatske uvjete u nastambama te redovito kretanje životinja.Heard health management is integral part of animal breeding. Domestic animal, as well as autochthonous breeds diseases presents health and socio-economic problem. Disease outbreaks in autochthonous breeds can cause economic losses due to diminished production, mortality or to inability to use animal products. Decrease in autochthonous breed population size is social and ecological problem in means of loss of animal genetic resources. Especially small populations are at risk in case of disease outbreaks because these populations are usually spread on smaller regions and preserved in vivo and in situ without ex situ methods. Legislation includes preventive and those measures which should be taken in case of disease outbreaks. Croatian legislation is already or is in the process of adjustment according to EU legislations. Herd health management for autochthonous breeds should be based upon preventive measures to diminish all risks. Under preventive measures we consider preventive vaccination of animals, good nutrition, drinking water hygiene, optimal housing conditions and regular animal exercise

Prediction of reproductive performance of ewes based on the early production data, ewe birth rank, dam age, and dam birth rank

This research aimed to analyze whether ewes' total reproductive performance up to the fourth year of life (RP4) can be predicted based on the data available at an early stage of a ewe's productive life. The RP4 of 133 Romanov ewes was measured in terms of the total number of lambs born per ewe (TNLE) and total birth weight of lambs per ewe (TBLE). Multiple regression was used to analyze whether early reproductive performance indicators (first litter size – FLS, age at first lambing – AFL, first lambing interval – FLI), ewe birth rank, dam age, and dam birth rank can be used as the predictors of RP4. Predicted R2 and 95 % prediction intervals were used as indicators of the precision of prediction. Average TNLE and TBLE at the end of fourth year of ewe life were 11.84 lambs and 37.96 kg, respectively. FLS and FLI significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced TNLE and TBLE, while AFL was not a significant (P&gt;0.05) variable. Ewes with shorter FLI had significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher TNLE (10.94 lambs) and TBLE (36.17 kg) than ewes with long FLI (TNLE = 9.12 lambs and TBLE = 28.05 kg). R2 predicted for TNLE and TBLE was 7.54 % and 11.49 %, respectively. The ewe's birth rank and the dam's birth rank significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced TNLE and TBLE. Ewes born as singletons and ewes from singleton-born dams had significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower TNLE and TBLE than ewes born as triplets and ewes from triplet-born dams. R2 predicted for TNLE was 16.76 %, and 25.69 % for TBLE. FLS and FLI are better predictors of RP4 than AFL. The birth rank of ewe and dam also proved significant predictors of RP4. For both sets of predictors (early reproductive indicators and birth rank data), low values of R2 predicted indicate that precise prediction of RP4 cannot be made.</p