Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farms

Assessment of the motor activity of group‐housed sows in commercial farmsThe objective of this study was to specify the level of motor activity of pregnant sows housed in groups in different housing systems. Eleven commercial farms were selected for this study. Four housing systems were represented: small groups of five to seven sows (SG), free access stalls (FS) with exercise area, electronic sow feeder with a stable group (ESFsta) or a dynamic group (ESFdyn). Ten sows in mid‐gestation were observed in each farm. The observations of motor activity were made for 6 hours at the first meal or at the start of the feeding sequence, two consecutive days and at regular intervals of 4 minutes. The results show that the motor activity of group‐housed sows depends on the housing system. The activity is higher with the ESFdyn system (standing: 55.7%), sows are less active in the SG system (standing: 26.5%), and FS system is intermediate. The distance traveled by sows in ESF system is linked to a larger area available. Thus, sows travel an average of 362 m ± 167 m in the ESFdyn system with an average available surface of 446 m² whereas sows in small groups travel 50 m ± 15 m for 15 m² available.Les modes de logement des truies en groupes se distinguent par les dimensions des cases et le système d'alimentation. Des observations ont été réalisées en élevages de production pour évaluer le niveau d'activité physique et les distances parcourues par les truies. De 50 à 500 m parcourus en 6 heures d'observation, le mode de logement impacte l'activité motrice des animaux