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Bulletin No. 21 - Spring 2005
MiscelleanousProduction
MAES DG, DUCHATEAU L, LARRIESTRA A, DEEN J, MORRISON RB, KRUIF A
Risk factors for mortality in grow-finishing pigs in Belgium.
Journal of Veterinary Medicine. B., 2004, Volume 51, Nº7, 321-326
A total of 137 pig herds were included in this study and monitored for growing-finishing mortality during a 2.5-year period. The variables used were of both continuous (measurable) and categorical types. Continuous variables included: average weight at the beginning and at the end of the fattening period, average daily weight gain (ADG), duration of fattening period, density of animals, etc.. Categorical variables included the type of the herd (fattening or farrow-to-finish), season and year of introduction of pigs in fattening unit, type of feeding and ventilation system, origin of the pigs. A positive association between mortality and duration of fattening period was observed. Moreover, a higher mortality was observed in pigs introduced in the fattening unit during the months of October, November and December but this result is to be related to the location of herds (Belgium). The multiple origin of piglets was found to be a major risk factor for pig mortality. Indeed, mortality during the fattening period was found higher in herds introducing piglets from various origins. Infectious diseases and in particular respiratory diseases were also found major causes contributing to mortality.
