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Corpus Journal of Dairy and Veterinary Science
[ ISSN : 2833-0536 ]


Influence of Grazing on the Gestation Phase of Sows and the Birth of the Piglet

Research Article
Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Article DOI : 10.54026/CJDVS1063


Sánchez-Quinche AR1,2*, González-Illescas RA2, Jordán-Romero MM2 and PimbosaOrtiz DE1,2

1Universidad Técnica de Machala, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Career, Research Group on Food Production and Animal Health (GIPASA), Seedbed for Animal Production Research (SIPA),Machala-El Oro-Ecuador
2Universidad Técnica de Machala, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Career, Seedbed for Animal Production Research (SIPA), Machala-El Oro-Ecuador

Corresponding Authors

Angel Roberto Sánchez-Quinche, Universidad Técnica de Machala, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine Career, Research Group on Food Production and Animal Health (GIPASA), Seedbed for Animal Production Research (SIPA), Machala-El Oro-Ecuador

Keywords

Breeding Females; Feed Intake; Pasture; Mortality

Received : February 09, 2024
Published : March 19, 2024

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in the “Rancho Rubén” pig farm, located in the Panecillo site of the Casacay Parish of the Pasaje Canton, Province of El Oro, Coastal Region of Ecuador. The aim of this work was to determine the possible benefits of grazing in pregnant breeders and newborn piglets. For the field experiment, the regulations of the Guide to Good Swine Practices (Agrocalidad-Ecuador) were taken into account. The variables evaluated were: initial weight of the sow, prepartum sow’s weight, postpartum sow’s weight, weight of the sow at weaning, number of piglets at birth, weight of the piglet at birth, mortality on the first day and feed consumption during gestation. A completely randomized design was used, with 2 treatments, each with a replica of 5 females, for a total of 20 animals; treatment 1 (balanced feeding and management in individual pens); and treatment 2 (feeding with balanced, and grazing). The statistical analysis was based on the book by Blasco [1], applying an ANOVA, prior to assumptions of normality and homogeneity, establishing the differences through the Bonferroni multiple comparison procedure (95% confidence). The statistical program used was Statgraphics Centurión XVI. The results show that there is no difference between the treatments with respect to the variables evaluated, except for the consumption of concentrate feed, which is observed to be reduced in grazing animals, assuming that the grazing system is beneficial by facilitating a more natural behavior and greater animal welfare.