Kilbride, A. L. (Amy L.), Gillman, C. E. and Green, Laura E.. (2010) A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors for foot lesions and abnormal posture in lactating sows on commercial farms in England. Animal Welfare, Vol.19 (No.4). pp. 473-480. ISSN 0962-7286

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study of lactating sows in 71 commercial pig herds in England was carried out to estimate the prevalence of foot lesions and abnormal posture and investigate the associated risks. Observational data were collected on the standing posture, lesions on the hind left foot, and the pen the sow was housed in for 233 sows. The prevalence of foot lesions was 76.8% and 10.8% of lactating sows had abnormal pasture. Sows housed on slatted floors during pregnancy had an associated increased risk of heel flaps but a reduced risk of toe erosion, compared with sows housed on solid concrete floors with bedding during pregnancy. There was an increased risk of abnormal posture in lactating sows housed on slatted floors during pregnancy compared with those housed on solid concrete floors with straw bedding during pregnancy. In addition, there was an increased risk of abnormal posture in lactating sows with wounds on the limbs and erosions on the toe and the heel/sole. The positive association between abnormal posture and foot lesions suggests that these lesions might be painful. Housing sows on solid floors during pregnancy might reduce the risk of abnormal posture, and certain foot lesions, in sows during lactation. However, posture is a less sensitive measure of lameness than gait, and the nature of the causal relationship between foot lesions and lameness requires further investigation.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	S Agriculture > SF Animal culture Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions:	Other > Institute of Advanced Study Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- )
Journal or Publication Title:	Animal Welfare
Publisher:	Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
ISSN:	0962-7286
Date:	November 2010
Volume:	Vol.19
Number:	No.4
Number of Pages:	8
Page Range:	pp. 473-480
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Funder:	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Grant number:	AW0135
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/4878

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

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