First Lactation Performance of Sows in Maternity Ring Housing Is Comparable to that in Farrowing Crates

Reproductive efficiency and longevity of gilts and sows in group housing and free-farrowing systems versus traditional crate systems in tropical environments

Group housing systems during gestation and free-farrowing pens have recently been implemented in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate how different ho

First lactation performance of sows in Maternity Ring housing is comparable to that in farrowing crates

There is a trade-off between sow and piglet welfare in farrowing pens, whereby increased behavioural freedom of sows results in unacceptable levels of piglet mortality. Improvements in sow welfare have been demonstrated in such housing systems; ...