Abstract Sows are highly motivated to build a nest prior to farrowing, but, given the barren environment of farrowing crates, this behaviour is limited and improperly expressed. We aimed to assess the effects of a straw provision in the farrowing crate as environmental enrichment in the prepartum period on: 1) sows' reproductive and behavioural responses before, during and after farrowing, and 2) piglets' performance during lactation. Multiparous sows (N = 32) were assigned according to parity to two enrichment conditions: 1) Control sows, and 2) Straw sows, (N = 16 sows/treatment). In the control treatment, the sows were kept in farrowing crates with no environmental enrichment. In the straw treatment, straw was provided in the farrowing crate by purpose-built boxes attached to the crate bars next to the sows. Straw was provided 24 hours prior to the expected due date and removed after farrowing. Sows' behaviours (N = 12 sows/treatment) were recorded uninterruptedly from 12 hours prior to farrowing until the 13th day of lactation. Data on reproductive performance (number of liveborn and stillborns, farrowing duration, and births interval) were collected. Five piglets were selected from each sow for assessment of performance and levels of blood lactate. All piglet deaths, as well as their causes, were recorded. Sows from straw treatment exhibited a higher frequency of nest-building behaviour and lower frequency of stereotyped behaviour and sitting posture (P 0.05). The sows from control treatment exhibited a higher number of posture changes (P = 0.057). The frequency of nursing was higher in the sows that had access to straw (P 0.05). Providing straw had no effects on performance, lactate levels, or postnatal mortality of piglets (P > 0.05). Providing nesting material in the farrowing crate improves the welfare of sows by increasing their motivation to build the nest and reducing the stereotyped behaviours prior to farrowing. Moreover, access to straw reduces sow unrest during farrowing and stimulates the maternal behaviour of nursing.

中文翻译：

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战略性地使用秸秆作为产前母猪在产仔箱中的环境富集

摘要 母猪在分娩前筑巢的积极性很高，但是，鉴于分娩栏的贫瘠环境，这种行为是有限的且表达不当。我们的目的是评估在产前阶段在分娩箱中提供秸秆作为环境富集对以下方面的影响：1) 母猪在分娩前、分娩期间和分娩后的繁殖和行为反应，以及 2) 仔猪在哺乳期间的表现。根据胎次将经产母猪（N = 32）分配到两种富集条件：1）对照母猪，和2）稻草母猪（N = 16 头母猪/处理）。在对照处理中，母猪被饲养在没有环境富集的产仔箱中。在秸秆处理中，秸秆通过附在母猪旁边的栏杆上的专用盒子提供在分娩栏内。稻草在预产期前 24 小时提供并在分娩后移除。从分娩前 12 小时到泌乳第 13 天不间断地记录母猪的行为（N = 12 头母猪/处理）。收集了有关繁殖性能的数据（活产和死产的数量、分娩持续时间和分娩间隔）。从每头母猪中选出 5 头仔猪来评估生产性能和血乳酸水平。记录所有仔猪死亡及其原因。稻草处理的母猪表现出较高的筑巢行为频率和较低的刻板行为和坐姿频率（P < 0.05）。来自对照治疗的母猪表现出更多的姿势变化（P = 0.057）。获得稻草的母猪的哺乳频率更高（P < 0.05）。提供稻草对仔猪的生产性能、乳酸水平或出生后死亡率没有影响（P > 0.05）。在分娩箱中提供筑巢材料可提高母猪筑巢的积极性并减少分娩前的刻板行为，从而改善母猪的福利。此外，秸秆的使用减少了母猪在分娩期间的不安，并刺激了母猪的护理行为。