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Factors affecting mortality in finishing pigs.

B E Straw, G D Neubauer, A D Leman

    Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
    |August 15, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Pig mortality in finishing herds is influenced by breed, with Yorkshire, Berkshire, Spot, and Chester White pigs experiencing higher death rates. Factors like initial weight and transport distance showed no significant impact on pig survival.

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    Area of Science:

    • Animal Science
    • Veterinary Medicine
    • Livestock Management

    Background:

    • High mortality rates in finishing pigs pose significant economic challenges in swine production.
    • Understanding risk factors associated with mortality is crucial for improving herd health and management practices.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of initial weight, first-week weight change, age, breed, and transportation distance on finishing pig mortality.
    • To identify specific causes of death and their prevalence in a finishing pig population.

    Main Methods:

    • Two groups of finishing pigs were monitored over an 18-week period at a test station.
    • Data collected included initial weight, weight change, age, breed, transportation distance, and mortality.
    • Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significance of various factors on death rates.

    Main Results:

    • Overall mortality rates were 5.3% and 6.3% in the two groups.
    • Pneumonia (24.7%) and gastric ulceration (14.0%) were the leading causes of death, with 31.2% of deaths undiagnosed.
    • Mortality was higher in the latter half of the finishing period (weeks 12-18) compared to the first six weeks.
    • Yorkshire, Berkshire, Spot, and Chester White breeds exhibited significantly higher mortality rates compared to other breeds.
    • Initial weight, first-week weight change, and transportation distance did not significantly affect mortality rates.

    Conclusions:

    • Breed is a significant factor influencing mortality risk in finishing pigs.
    • While transport distance and initial weight were not significant predictors, breed susceptibility warrants further investigation for targeted interventions.
    • Identifying undiagnosed causes of death and common pathologies like pneumonia and gastric ulcers is essential for improving swine health management.

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