When Kansas State University researchers tested this theory, they found little difference from normal feeding routines, though previous research suggests it has benefits in the dog days of summer
by JANICE MURPHY
In the modern swine industry, change continues to be the norm. While sows are individually housed in gestation stalls in many commercial swine facilities, animal welfare concerns have recently led to a shift toward group housing.
This trend has been fuelled by ballots cast in Arizona and Florida, where gestation stalls have been banned, as well as decisions by Smithfield Foods and Maple Leaf Foods to make the move to group housing.
The perception is that group housing allows for increased freedom of movement and social interaction and, as a result, is more welfare-friendly than housing sows in stalls. Group housing is also thought to decrease chronic stress in sows and speed up the farrowing process, most likely due to the increased level of activity compared to sows confined to stalls.
Unfortunately, not all sows will thrive in a group housing situation. Just like children in a schoolyard, there is always the chance of running into a bully. The opportunity for social interaction can lead to aggressive behaviour between sows, allowing dominant sows at the top of the pecking order to consume more feed at the expense of sows at the bottom. The result is most likely fear and distress on the part of the less dominant sow.