Effect Of Different-fibre Diets And Feeding Times On Behaviour Stereotypies Of Pregnant Sows

Two experiments were carried out to study the effect of different-fiber diets and feeding times on behaviour Stereotypies of pregnant sows which were kept in the group-breeding and individual-feeding pens.In experiment I , nine multiparous (fifth parity) landrace sows were observed. Three sows were kept in the same pen with concrete floor. The total daily intake of major nutrients except the level of fibre was calculated to be the same in the three regiments. Daily allowances were, respectively, 2.5kg, 3.0kg and 3.5kg. The sows were served three times. The quantity of each time was equal.In experiment II, nine multiparous (fifth parity) landrace sows were observed. Three sows were kept in the same pen with concrete floor. The total daily intake of major nutrients except the level of fibre was calculated to be the same in the three regiments. Daily allowances were, respectively, 2.5kg, 3.0kg and 3.5kg.The sows were served two times. The quantity of each time was equal.Behaviour was recorded by direct observation. During observation scan sampling was adopted and the time interval for each observation is two minutes.These results indicate that feeding sows diets which are high in dietary fibre may reduce behaviour Stereotypies which include vacuum chewing; trough-related activity; floor-related activity and bar-related activity and increase the time of lying down behaviour of pregnant sows. Bulky feed may have beneficial effects on the welfare of sows, especially when pregnant sows weren't provided a foraging substrate and were kept in barren housing. Three times feeding is more effective on decreasing behaviour Stereotypies and increasing lying down behaiour of pregnant than two times feeding.