Risk factors for mortality in grow-finishing pigs in Belgium

The present study investigated risk factors for mortality in grow-finishing pigs of 137 pig herds belonging to one integration company during a period of 2.5 years. Mortality data, expressed as the number of dead pigs divided by the number of pigs placed in the fattening unit were investigated retrospectively. The following potential risk factors were evaluated: type of pig herd, season and year of placement in the fattening unit, pig density in the municipality, management practices (density of the pigs in the barn, origin of the pigs), housing conditions and feeding practices. The overall average mortality percentage was 4.70%. Three variables in a multivariable regression model were significantly associated with mortality: season of placement in the fattening unit, origin of the piglets and duration of the fattening period. Pigs placed in October, November and December, were at higher risk than pigs placed in other months. Herds that purchased pigs from a merchant, used pigs from other herds with an excess of piglets for filling their fattening units or herds that purchased pigs from more than five origin herds also suffered higher mortality. The mortality also increased in case of longer duration of the fattening period. This study documented for the first time that in addition to seasonal effects and a longer duration of the fattening period, purchasing feeder pigs from one or a limited number of herds is of crucial importance to achieve low mortality in the grow-finishing pigs.