December 1, 2006

Regrouping sows will not affect fertility, research shows

Regrouping sows does not negatively affect their fertility even though it does stresses the pigs, research by the Dutch Wageningen University shows.

Researcher Nicoline Soede compared two different groups of sows. One was left in peace from three weeks before insemination and three weeks after. The other was regrouped once a week in the same period.

She concluded that the animals got stressed due to hierarchy fights. However, the sows did get pregnant as easily as those that were left alone.

The results were surprising as it is commonly believed stress from regrouping would negatively affect fertility.