Behavior and gilts reproductive performance kept in different breeding systems

Abstract

The search for improving the quality of life has been studied through the use of management and facilities that can improve the welfare of farm animals. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different housing systems during the gestation and maternity phases on the behavior and performance of gilts. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments and four replications, with the gilt being considered the experimental unit. The treatments were: Group 1 - Caged confinement system; Group 2 - Picket and stall breeding system. Data on behavior and reproductive performance of gilts and productive performance of piglets were collected. The gilts in the gestation phase housed in the confinement cages, remained mostly inactive at the three collection times (8:00 – 10:00, 12:00 – 14:00 and 16:00 – 18:00) and shorter alert time between 8:00 – 10:00 and 12:00 – 14:00, compared to gilts reared in paddocks. Animals housed in paddocks remained on alert 87.3% above the observation time compared to females housed in individual cages. Females raised in paddocks had a higher (P < 0.05) number of piglets born alive. All indexes evaluated in piglets did not show differences (P > 0.05) between housing systems. The paddock system during pregnancy provided an improvement in the welfare of the gilts, but it was not enough to improve the reproductive and piglet performance in the maternity.