Produtividade e bem-estar de porcas gestantes alojadas em baias coletivas com piso de concreto ou cama sobreposta

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation was to study through meta-analysis the cortisol levels and productivity of sows via a field study the effects of housing on behavior and productivity of sows. The database was composed of 22 articles published between 1996 to 2010, totaling 170 treatments and 1,941 sows. The meta-analysis was performed by sequential analysis: graphical, correlation and variance-covariance. To evaluate the systems of gestation were used 42 sows in a randomized block design with two treatments (T1 - 28 days in gestation crates and 82 days in concrete floor collective pens and T2 - 28 days in gestation crates and 82 days in deep bedding collective pens) three replicates each. Salivary cortisol was positively correlated (P<0.05) with feed intake, of crude protein and lysine and lysine level. Plasmatic cortisol was negatively correlated (P<0.01) with metabolizable energy level and positively correlated (P<0.01) with level and crude protein intake. Individual housing in deep bedding reduced (P<0.01) 47% the salivary cortisol in relation to concrete floor housing. In housing collective on deep bedding this level was 10% higher (P<0.01) in relation housing collective to concrete floor. The piglet birth weight decreased by 0.0002 kg for each increase of one unit nMol.L-1 in plasmatic cortisol (Y=1.6032-0.0002X) or salivary (Y=1.6026-0.0002X). The incidence of stereotyped behaviors was 71% lower (P<0.05) in sows housed in pens of deep bedding, at 90th days gestation. The activities increased on average by 60% (P<0.05) for sows housed in pens of deep bedding during collective pens housing (transfer, after transfer, 90th days of gestation and the average total period). Sows housed in pens concrete floor showed an increase of 66% (P<0.05) in interactions social, the average of the total period. Sows housed in pens of deep bedding had 60% more (P<0.05) skin lesions on the 1st and 2nd days after being transferred to collective pens. The housing system did not affect (P>0.05) backfat thickness and feed conversion the sows during lactation, body weight and weight gain of piglets and the duration total of the farrowing. Sows housed in pens concrete floor during pregnancy reached the end of lactation with 7% more (P<0.05) pigs than sows housed in pens of deep bedding. The pens housing deep bedding for sows in gestation provides better welfare, increases physical activity and does not affect the productive performance of animals.