THE INFLUENCE OF OUTDOOR PRODUCTION ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATROPHIC RHINITIS AND OTHER RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN WEANERS
G. Nagel and G. Bilkei

Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine whether an outdoor production system during the spring - summer season, in a dry continental climate, influenced the production parameters and the pathological manifestations of progressive atrophic rhinitis (PAR) and porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC).
???? Indoor (ID) or outdoor (OD) raised pigs were exposed to other pigs that showed clinical signs of PAR and PRDC. Weight gains and feed intake of exposed pigs were recorded and nasal swabs for bacterial culture were collected. Pigs were euthanased and snout scores, pneumonia, and pleuritis were assessed and scored.
???? Overall rate of gain was greater in non-infected indoor raised control (C) pigs, compared to indoor raised infected (ID) or outdoor raised infected (OD) animals. Average daily gain and feed intake were significantly greater (P< 0.05) in the ID pigs compared to the OD pigs. Feed efficiency did not differ significantly between groups.
???? All pigs of groups ID, OD and C were culture negative on trial day 0, but the majority of ID and OD pigs became culture positive by trial days 21 and 42 for Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida types A and D and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. At slaughter, C pigs showed no gross pneumonia lesions and had lower visual snout scores compared to OD and ID pigs. Visual atrophic rhinitis scores were significantly higher (P<0.05) in ID pigs compared to OD animals.
???? It is the opinion of the authors that an outdoor production system (at least during spring/summer seasons in a dry continental climate) is advantageous in herds at high risk for respiratory problems.

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