SOWS WHEN GIVEN EXERCISE

In individual housing systems for sows, the lack of opportunity to exercise has been raised as a welfare issue. In this study 18 sows were kept in neck tethers for 11 weeks over their gestation period until they were due to farrow. Half of these sows were given the opportunity to exercise three times a week for 5 % h between feeding periods. Behavioural observations showed that the exercise pigs marked and explored the pen, behaviours which are not seen in tethered pigs. Also the exercise pigs rested significantly sooner after feeding than the tethered control sows, As pregnancy advanced both the control and exercise groups lay down significantly sooner after feeding. Reproductive data (piglets born alive and dead) were not significantly different in either system. Even when given the opportunity to exercise, the sows preferred to rest once they had marked and explored their environment; so provision of an exercise area for domestic sows does not ensure they will use it. (Key words: sow, behaviour, exercise.