Enriquecimento ambiental com feno de Tifton (Cynodon ssp.) ou "corrente" em baias de gestação coletiva para porcas: efeito sobre parâmetros produtivos, estresse e estresse oxidativo

Abstract

Brazil ranks fourth in global swine production, with 2,099,036 active sows in 2023 and a pork production of 5.156 million tons. Swine farming has a significant impact on the national economy, requiring harmonization between productivity and animal welfare (AW). This study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) with hay on pregnant sows, comparing it to metal chains and a control group without EE, in accordance with Normative Instruction 113/2020. The experiment was conducted on a commercial farm in western Santa Catarina, using 96 sows of the Danbred 90 line, divided into three groups: control (without EE), T1 (chains), and T2 (hay). Zootechnical parameters (birth weight, weaning, daily weight gain) and biochemical parameters (cortisol, TBARS, antioxidants) were analyzed. The results indicated that T2 had a higher total birth weight (22.5 ± 4.12 kg; p < 0.05) and a significant reduction in cortisol and oxidative stress levels (p < 0.05), suggesting an improvement in BEA and productive performance. It is concluded that EE with hay is a viable strategy to promote welfare and reproductive efficiency, aligning with the regulatory and sustainable demands of swine farming.