Files
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to explore if correctively trimming sow claws would beneficially change the manner in which the sow walks. Welfare of the sows is a growing issue within the swine industry, and a major welfare problem is lameness. In this experiment, sows were walked through a chute pre, one hour post and forty-eight hours post corrective trimming. The gait of each sow was captured using high-speed cameras to record video footage of each side of the sow simultaneously as she walked through a 2.5 meter recording frame. The data were analyzed using Kinovea kinematics system and analyzed for swing, stance, break over, stride length, two- and three-limb support with comparisons being made between time points. The results show marked difference between the sows gait pre and post corrective trimming for stride duration. The changes allow for a decreases in discomfort and degeneration of the skeletal system.