垫草对猪的福利和生产性能的影响

Effect of Straw on Welfare and Performance of Pigs

通常认为垫草对猪的福利具有广泛的有利影响。垫草既能改善地面触感,又有利于猪自主调控小环境温度,并减少某些肢蹄损伤。但稻草也会增加某些疾病发生的概率,特别是呼吸系统疾病。垫草作为廉价的环境丰富物能够满足猪探求行为的需求,并可作为筑巢材料满足围产期母猪的行为需求,减少不良行为发生。由于其可食入性,垫草还能在一定程度上降低限饲母猪的采食动机,减少口吻部规癖行为发生。垫草对神经内分泌及免疫机能的影响尚不能确定,但以往资料显示其长期使用能减少应激。同时,垫草的使用还可能提高猪的生产性能和某些肉质性状。因此,尽管垫草增加生产成本和特定疾病的风险,并带来管理上的不便,其仍是最可行的提高猪福利的途径之一。

Straw was considered to have many beneficial effects for the welfare of pigs. Strew bedding improved the physical comfort of the floor, and enabled pigs to control microclimate itself. Straw reduced injuries of leg and foot, but increased certain diseases, especially respiratory diseases. As a cheap enrichment, straw could meet behavioural needs such as exploring and foraging, and nesting material had a beneficial effect on maternal behaviour of preparturient sows as, thus reduced harmful behaviours. Straw could also reduce the feed restricted pig＇s motivation for eating, and hence reduced oral stereotyped behaviours. Effect of straw on stress hormones and immune function could not be determined, but literatures showed that long-term used straw could reduce stress. In addition, the use of straw bedding may improve pig performance and meat quality. In conclusion, although increasing cost and the risk of specific diseases, and brought the management problems, straw remained the most viable way to improve the welfare of pigs.