The objective of this study was to identify season, litter size, sow parity and sow health as risk factors for still birth and early piglet mortality in Danish organic pig herds

Pedersen, L.J.

Rangstrup-Christensen, Lena

Schild, Sarah-Lina Aagaard

Sørensen, Jan Tind

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IPVS 2016 Abstract SubmissionsWelfare and NutritionIPVS2016-1370Identification of sow level risk factors on early piglet mortality in Danish organic sow herds during different seasonsLena Rangstrup-Christensen* 1, Sarah-Lina Aagaard Schild1, Lene Juul Pedersen1, Jan Tind Sørensen11Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, DenmarkPresentation Preference: PosterDo you wish to be considered for the Poster Prize?: YesOral Abstract Content Capture: Accept Content CapturingIntroduction: An 8 year old study showed a high mortality rate with one of three organic piglets dying before weaning inDanish organic sow herds. The high mortality rate constitutes a major economic and animal welfare problem in organicpig production. Several studies have evaluated risk factors for piglet mortality within loose housed and crated sows butthere are only limited studies of piglet mortality in the organic production system. In general piglet mortality is expected tobe highly multi-factorial.  To estimate piglet mortality levels with a high external validity it is necessary to study pigletmortality in commercial organic pig production. The objective of this study was to identify season, litter size, sow parityand sow health as risk factors for still birth and early piglet mortality in Danish organic pig herds. Materials and Methods: The study was an observational prospective study and included observations performed in ninemedium to large Danish organic pig herds over a one year period from June 2014 until June 2015 includingapproximately 6700 farrowings. Upon transfer to the farrowing field the following information about the sow was recorded:Sow number, parity, body condition and gait score. At the time of farrowing the date was recorded along with litterequalization and the number of piglets that were: live born, still born, small (max. 21 cm), dead after farrowing oreuthanized. Counting and registration of the piglets was subsequently performed three times during the seven week longpre weaning period; At castration (or 3-5 days after birth), vaccination (or 14-21 days after birth) and at weaning (7 weeksafter birth).  If piglets were moved between sows or euthanized during the preweaning period it was recorded. Informationabout treatments of sick sows including date, condition and use of antibiotics was also recorded.Results: Preliminary results from seven herds indicate a high mortality rate during summer. The median rate of still birthand early mortality of live born piglets (birth to castration) during the summer 2014 was respectively 8 % and 19 %.Variation between the seven herds however was large ranging from 6 – 12 % in still birth and 11-24 % in early mortality. Conclusion: Effects of parity, high and low body condition and lameness and litter size will be presented at theconference.Disclosure of Interest: None DeclaredKeywords: Organic pig production, Piglet mortality, Risk factors

Identification of sow level risk factors on early piglet mortality in Danish organic sow herds during different seasons

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