Abstract:
Several group farrowing systems that attempt to meet the behavioural needs of sows around parturition have been developed in response to welfare concerns associated with the use of farrowing crates (Pedersen et al. 1998). However, all require more floor area than crate farrowing systems. This study investigated the use of a Swedish group farrowing model in a low cost farrowing shelter (FS) to reduce the capital cost of providing increased space per sow place.