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Osteochondrosis, bu...
Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates
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- Engelsen Etterlin, Pernille (author)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Inst för biomedicin och veterinär folkhälsovetenskap,Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health,Swedish Univ Agr Sci SLU, Dept Biomed Sci & Vet Publ Hlth, Sect Pathol, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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- Morrison, David A. (author)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Uppsala universitet,Systematisk biologi,Inst för biomedicin och veterinär folkhälsovetenskap,Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health
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- Österberg, Julia (author)
- Natl Vet Inst SVA, S-75189 Uppsala, Sweden.,National Veterinary Institute (SVA)
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- Ytrehus, Bjornar (author)
- Norwegian Inst Nat Res NINA, Terr Ecol Dept, N-7485 Trondheim, Norway.
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- Heldmer, Eva (author)
- Swedish Anim Hlth Serv SvDHV, S-46432 Mellerud, Sweden.
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- Ekman, Stina (author)
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet,Inst för biomedicin och veterinär folkhälsovetenskap,Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health,Swedish Univ Agr Sci SLU, Dept Biomed Sci & Vet Publ Hlth, Sect Pathol, S-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
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(creator_code:org_t)
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- 2015-09-29
- 2015
- English.
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In: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 57
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Abstract
Subject headings
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- Background: Organic pig production is expanding and amongst the objectives of organic farming are enhancing animal health and welfare. However, some studies have reported a higher prevalence of lameness and joint condemnation at slaughter in free-range/organic pigs than in conventionally raised pigs. Organic slaughter pigs have free-range housing in which indoor and outdoor access is compulsory, while in conventional farming the pigs are commonly confined to indoor pens. The present study evaluated the effects of free-range and confined housing on lameness prevalence in a herd of 106 finisher pigs, and whether osteochondrosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated arthritis influences these effects. We also evaluated the association between clinical lameness during the rearing period and joint condemnations at slaughter. Results: Seventy free-range and 36 confined housed fattener pigs were scored for their gait twice during the rearing period and 848 joints were evaluated post mortem. Osteochondrosis was more frequent among free-range than confined pigs (P < 0.05), and when present it was also more severe (P < 0.001). Pigs with more numerous and more severe osteochondral lesions had their gait affected more than did pigs with fewer such lesions (P < 0.05). Hence it was a paradox that we did not detect more lameness among the free-range pigs than the confined pigs. E. rhusiopathiae associated arthritis was not diagnosed. The association between gait remarks/clinical lameness and joint condemnations at slaughter was not significant. Conclusions: The results indicate that free-range housing may have both positive and negative effects on locomotory traits. Free-range pigs may be less clinically affected by osteochondrosis than are confined pigs. One explanation for this effect may be strengthening of joint supportive tissue and pain relief promoted by exercise. Visual gait scoring missed serious joint lesions that probably were harmful to the pigs, and should therefore not be used as a sole indicator of joint/leg health in welfare inspection of pigs. The association between gait scores and joint condemnation appeared to be poor. This study was limited to one herd, and so more and larger studies on the effects of free-range housing on lameness severity and osteochondrosis development in pigs are recommended.
Subject headings
- LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER -- Veterinärmedicin (hsv//swe)
- AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES -- Veterinary Science (hsv//eng)
- MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)
- MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)
Keyword
- Organic
- Lameness
- Housing
- Gait scoring
- Joints
- Arthritis
- Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
- Osteochondrosis
- Welfare
Publication and Content Type
- ref (subject category)
- art (subject category)
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