An investigation of sow parturition: Developing tools, technologies and protocols to improve sow and piglet welfare

Abstract

Ensuring eutocia (normal birth) and managing dystocia (abnormal birth) is essential in pig production where adverse outcomes affect sow and piglet welfare as well as economic success. This thesis aimed to investigate the current understanding of sow parturition and its management, within an Australian context; to identify areas requiring improvement and with the potential for technological automation; and to provide novel solutions to identified gaps in knowledge. Chapter 1 identified a lack of consensus around dystocia prevalence, highlighting a need for clear and unbiased behavioural and physiological identifiers of abnormal sow parturition. Chapter 2, a survey investigating Australian pork producers’ attitudes and management practices at parturition, further highlighted the need for abnormal parturition identifiers and informed farrowing management protocols. Chapter 3 evaluated piglet vitality at birth and recommended a protocol incorporating inter-piglet interval, cumulative farrowing time and birth order to inform the appropriate timing of manual obstetrical intervention in Australian pig production facilities. Chapter 4 proposed a preliminary three-level sow ocular scoring system and identified a physiological change in sows’ ocular appearance in response to increased farrowing duration and straining either across the whole parturition or at a single piglet. Chapter 5 provided further understanding of sow parturition in the topics of bioacoustics and uterine contractility for the development of remote technologies to aid the identification of abnormal parturition in an industry plagued by staff shortages and high turnover. This thesis highlights a lack of in-depth understanding of normal and abnormal parturition which affects the appropriate and timely management of sows at farrowing and has identified novel tools and protocols which can aid successful management of sows at farrowing for improved production outcomes.