Usually, sitting was an unavoidable stage during postural change from lying to standing whereas it was not necessary vice-versa from standing to lying. C-sows performed a significant higher sitting duration than NC-sows after parturition. After farrowing, sows in a sitting posture could not stay close to their piglets. But this proximity is necessary to provide warmth and access to the udder to obtain adequate milk intake (Weary et al., 1996a). The most dangerous body movements for the piglets occurred when the sow lay down in an uncontrolled manner, even from sitting to lying (Edwards et al., 1986). In the present study, only 11% of piglets were crushed by descending from standing to lying, starting with a sitting position. By descending from standing to lying, 63% of the piglets were crushed. Despite this high percentage, no differences between NC-sows and C-sows in their descending from standing to lying performance were observed. This might indicate the involvement of traits that were not assessed in our study, for instance a better responsiveness to their piglets or a different vocalisation in NC-sows.
5. Conclusion
A better understanding of behavioural patterns in farrowing behaviour is essential for increasing the proportion of piglets weaned and thus improving economic success in pig production. A significantly longer duration and higher frequency of standing posture, and a significant higher frequency in standing-up and lying-down combinations was performed by NC-sows in our study. This higher activity in NC-sows might express a better responsiveness towards their piglets. Further research with comprehensive sampling should concentrate on traits with significant differences which have to be verified, indicating a possible use in selection of sows with optimal maternal abilities.