Effects of Space Restriction and Management on Pre- and Post-Puberal Response of Female Swine

Abstract

Confinement management practices and environments required for optimum reproductive performance in swine have not been determined. Robson (1966) and England and Spurr (1969) have observed that gilts that were tethered (restrained by a neck collar and chain) or in individual pens showed more erratic estrous and mating behavior than similar gilts confined in groups. Farrowing performance, however, among treatments was similar. Others (Warnick et al., 1965; Teague, Roller and Grifo, 1968; Edwards et al., 1968) have reported that exposure to high ambient temperatures can delay onset of estrus, decrease percent conception and increase embryonal death. The present study was initiated to evaluate the effects of space restriction and certain environments on age at puberty, ovulation and conception rates, and embryo number and survival at 20 to 31 days after mating.