Review of health problems in group‐housed sows, with special emphasis on lameness

Summary

In the Netherlands, there is a trend towards housing gestating sows in groups.

Vulva biting and lameness have been described as major health problems in grouphoused sows. Besides these problems, the effects of group housing on morbidity, reproduction parameters and the occurrence of infectious disease have been investigated. The literature is reviewed, with special emphasis on lameness.

Notes

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Medicine and Nutrition, Utrecht, the Netherlands

Research Institute for Pig Husbandry, Rosmalen, the Netherlands

Additional information

Notes on contributors

A. Kroneman

1 2

F.J. van der Wilt

1 2