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Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates

Etterlin, Pernille Engelsen; Morrison, David A.; Österberg, Julia; Ytrehus, Bjørnar ; Heldmer, Eva and Ekman, Stina (2015) Osteochondrosis, but not lameness, is more frequent among free-range pigs than confined herd-mates. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 57, p. 63.

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Summary

Background:
Organic pig production is expanding and amongst the objectives of organic farming are enhancing animal health and welfare. However, some studies have reported a higher prevalence of lameness and joint condemnation at slaughter in free-range/organic pigs than in conventionally raised pigs. Organic slaughter pigs have free-range housing in which indoor and outdoor access is compulsory, while in conventional farming the pigs are commonly confined to indoor pens. The present study evaluated the effects of free-range and confined housing on lameness prevalence in a herd of 106 finisher pigs, and whether osteochondrosis and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated arthritis influences these effects. We also evaluated the association between clinical lameness during the rearing period and joint condemnations at slaughter.
Results:
Seventy free-range and 36 confined housed fattener pigs were scored for their gait twice during the rearing period and 848 joints were evaluated post mortem. Osteochondrosis was more frequent among free-range than confined pigs (P < 0.05), and when present it was also more severe (P < 0.001). Pigs with more numerous and more severe osteochondral lesions had their gait affected more than did pigs with fewer such lesions (P < 0.05). Hence it was a paradox that we did not detect more lameness among the free-range pigs than the confined pigs. E. rhusiopathiae associated arthritis was not diagnosed. The association between gait remarks/clinical lameness and joint condemnations at slaughter was not significant.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that free-range housing may have both positive and negative effects on locomotory traits. Free-range pigs may be less clinically affected by osteochondrosis than are confined pigs. One explanation for this effect may be strengthening of joint supportive tissue and pain relief promoted by exercise. Visual gait scoring missed serious joint lesions that probably were harmful to the pigs, and should therefore not be used as a sole indicator of joint/leg health in welfare inspection of pigs. The association between gait scores and joint condemnation appeared to be poor. This study was limited to one herd, and so more and larger studies on the effects of free-range housing on lameness severity and osteochondrosis development in pigs are recommended.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Osteochondrosis, Osteochondrosis dissecans, OCD, Slaughter house statistics, Joint condemnation, Gait analysis, Gait scoring
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
Osteochondritis
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16449
English
Joint diseases
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_4051
English
Animal husbandry
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8532
English
Swine
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_7555
English
Animal housing
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_432
English
organic husbandry
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_36807
English
Free range husbandry
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3087
English
conventional farming
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_331393
English
Lameness
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_12062
English
animal welfare
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_443
English
Arthritis
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8951
English
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_35449
English
Swine erysipelas
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_16468
English
agricultural statistics
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_49977
Subjects: Farming Systems
Animal husbandry
Animal husbandry > Health and welfare
Animal husbandry > Production systems > Pigs
Research affiliation: Norway
Sweden
Sweden > National Veterinary Institute SVA
Sweden > Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Sweden > Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) > Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health
Sweden > University of Uppsala
Norway > Other organizations
DOI:10.1186/s13028-015-0154-7
Deposited By: Engelsen Etterlin, Pernille
ID Code:29325
Deposited On:09 Oct 2015 11:30
Last Modified:09 Oct 2015 11:30
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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