Stress after regrouping may alter behaviours and decrease the farrowing rate in sows. Resting locations, eating order and injuries reflect the severity of stress experienced. Behaviour was studied too see the impact stage of implantation, parity and familiarity with penmates had. Post-implantation, unfamiliar and younger sows experienced more social stress than the familiar, pre-implantation and older sows. Detectable injuries increased until day 28 after regrouping and then decline started.
Social Factors Affecting Injury Levels and Behaviour of Sows in a ESF System (full article)
