There may be several major welfare issues in facility design and sow management for group sow housing. One of the most important welfare issues is lameness. It is the second major cause of culling after reproductive failure. visual scores can be used to measure lameness in pigs, but a more objective method could use accelerometers and kinematics. Information gathered on many variables will complement a group housed sow longevity model. This will help producers predict the economic outcome of different management practices related to longevity. This two year study will be completed in 2012.
Assessment of Lameness, Productivity and Longevity in Group and Individually Housed Gestating Sows (full article)
