Tipos de maternidade na suinocultura: adequações visando o bem-estar de matrizes

Abstract

Despite the great emphasis on the productive potential, total production and participation in the pork export market, the Brazilian swine industry currently faces major challenges to put into practice some alternative methods and/or technologies that are being demanded by the consumer market, especially those related to health and animal welfare throughout the entire rearing system. One of the main problems is the welfare state of the pigs, especially since the conventional model is based on the total confinement of the animal through delivery cells, which restrict its movement and the ability to express its natural behavior, resulting in frustration and stress (pain and suffering). As an alternative, new engineering and designer models for maternity have been developed by experts. Thus, this review aimed to present the facilities and environmental comfort applied to swine breeders and show the possible adjustments necessary for the greater welfare of animals in the lactation phase. The removable side delivery cell has shown satisfactory results, however, there is still little research on economic data to assess the feasibility of changing the housing system, thus, the system must be chosen according to the producer's reality.