Effects of Auditory Enrichment on Welfare and Performance of Sows During Pregnancy and Farrowing/lactation Periods

This study is an observational study that aimed to evaluate whether exposure to music in the final third of sows' gestation and during farrowing/lactation would change behavior, reduce stress, and improve reproductive rates. Forty-eight sows were used at 90 days of gestation until the weaning o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied animal welfare science 2025-01, Vol.28 (1), p.44-60
Main Authors: de Castro Lippi, Isabela Cristina, Caldara, Fabiana Ribeiro, Morais, Henrique Biasotto, Vargas, Larissa Braganholo, Odakura, Agnês Markiy, de Castro Burbarelli, Maria Fernanda, Felix, Gisele Aparecida, Garcia, Rodrigo Garófallo, Almeida Paz, Ibiara Correia Lima, dos Santos, Luan Sousa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Enrichment
environmental enrichment
Gestation
Lactation
Music
Observational studies
Performance evaluation
Phases
Pregnancy
Reproduction
Reproductive behavior
reproductive performance
stress reduction
Suckling behavior
Swine
Weaning
welfare
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Summary:This study is an observational study that aimed to evaluate whether exposure to music in the final third of sows' gestation and during farrowing/lactation would change behavior, reduce stress, and improve reproductive rates. Forty-eight sows were used at 90 days of gestation until the weaning of their piglets. During gestation, sows were divided into two treatments: control and with music enrichment. In farrowing/lactation, sows were divided into four treatments: control - control (without music); control - music (music during farrowing/lactation); music - control (music during pregnancy); music - music (music in both phases). Sows' behavior, eye temperature, and reproductive performance were evaluated. In the gestation phase, control group sows remained standing more times and had more negative interactions with the other sows in the pen. In the farrowing/lactating phase, sows exposed to music presented more nursing behaviors. The number of weaned piglets was higher in litters in which the sows had environmental enrichment in at least one of the phases of reproductive lives. Music may be used as environmental enrichment for sows in their reproductive phases due to beneficial responses in behavior, stress relief, and reproductive rates.
ISSN:1088-8705
1532-7604
DOI:10.1080/10888705.2023.2215930