Skin Lesions Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during Postweaning Period Reared on Different Floor Types

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International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management https://ojs.pphouse.org/index.php/IJBSM IJBS M S eptember 2025, 16(09): 01- 05 Article AR5869 Res ea rch Arti cl e Natural Resource Management DOI: HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.23910/1.2025.5869 Skin Lesions Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during Postweaning Period Reared on Different Floor Types Shende G. P.1 , Prasad R. M. V.2, Sarat Chandra3, Gnana Prakash4, Nagalakshmi D.5 and Srinivas Reddy M.6 1 Dept. of Livestock Production Management, 2Dept. of Livestock Farm Complex, 6Dept. of Veterinary & A.H. Extension Education, College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (500 030), India 3 College of Dairy Technology, Kamareddy, Kamareddy District, Telangana (503 111), India 4 Dept. of Animal Genetics & Breeding, P. V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad (500 030), India 5 Dept. of Animal Nutrition, College of Fishery Science, Pebbair, Wanaparthy District, Telangana (509 104), India Open Access Corresponding drshende_1979@rediffmail.com 0009-0009-9979-1546 ABSTRACT T he present study was conducted during Jully, 2020 to November, 2020 at Pig Unit, Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), College of Veterinary Science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India to study the effect of different types of floors on performance, behavior, and carcass traits of Large White Yorkshire piglets during different phases of growth under intensive system. 24 Large White Yorkshire piglets were reared on four types of flooring systems consisting of 6 piglets in each group i.e., T1 (control group) reared on the concrete floor, T2 rubber mat, T3 elevated slatted floor, and T4 on soil floor from weaning to 126 days. The piglets were individually examined for the presence of skin lesions of the carpus,

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d slatted floor, and T4 on soil floor from weaning to 126 days. The piglets were individually examined for the presence of skin lesions of the carpus, hock, abdomen, and teats, face, and tail every fortnight from the start of the experiment. The severity of the lesions was scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3. The initial mean skin lesion score of LWY piglets was 0.20±0.09, 0.30±0.10, 0.23±0.10, and 0.20±0.07 and it was decreased to 0.00±0.00, 0.00±0.00, 0.20±0.09, and 0.00±0.00 in T1, T2, T3, and T4 floor types respectively. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant (p>0.05) differences in mean skin lesion score among the piglets reared on four floor types during the initial, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth fortnight. The mean skin lesion score of piglets reared on the elevated slatted floor was higher during the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth fortnight and differed significantly with concrete, rubber mat, and soil floor. KEY WORDS: Skin lesions score, large white yorkshire, postweaning period Citation (VANCOUVER): Shende et al., Skin Lesions Score in Large White Yorkshire Piglets during Postweaning Period Reared on Different Floor Types. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 2025; 16(09), 01-05. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.23910/1.2025.5869. Copyright: © 2025 Shende et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, that permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium after the author(s) and source are credited. Data Availability Statement: Legal restrictions are imposed on the public sharing of raw data. However, authors have full right to transfer or share the data in raw form upon request subject to either meeting

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d on the public sharing of raw data. However, authors have full right to transfer or share the data in raw form upon request subject to either meeting the conditions of the original consents and the original research study. Further, access of data needs to meet whether the user complies with the ethical and legal obligations as data controllers to allow for secondary use of the data outside of the original study. Conflict of interests: The authors have declared that no conflict of interest exists. RECEIVED on 13th October 2024 RECEIVED in revised form on 13th August 2025 ACCEPTED in final form on 04th September 2025 PUBLISHED on 17th September 2025 01 Shende et al., 2025 1. IN TRODUC T ION skin, claws, and legs (Tuyttens et al., 2008 and Elmore et al., 2010). T he challenges faced by the country in securing food as well as nutritional security for the fast-growing population need an integrated approach in livestock farming. Rubber mats have not yet been widely used in pig production. However, studies of their effect on breeding Pig farming has the potential to provide employment female welfare have shown favorable results, including opportunities to seasonally employed rural farmers and improved lying comfort, and sows and gilts find them supplementary income to improve their living standards. preferable at low environmental temperatures (Pavicic et Pig has got one of the highest feed conversion efficiency i.e. al., 2014 and Ostovic et al., 2015). Rubber mats in the lying they produce more live weight gain from a given weight of area bring about improvements in some aspects of claw feed than any other class of meat-producing animals except and leg health in fattening pigs (Falke et al., 2018). The the broilers. Pigs can utilize a wide variety of feedstuffs viz. floors

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cing animals except and leg health in fattening pigs (Falke et al., 2018). The the broilers. Pigs can utilize a wide variety of feedstuffs viz. floors in modern pig pens often consist of concrete, which grains, forages, damaged feeds, and garbage and convert is harsh and abrasive for sensitive feet and legs. (Olsson them into valuable nutritious meat. Pigs are one of the most et al., 2016). Ulcerative skin lesions can develop in many prolific breeders with high fecundity and shorter generation regions, such as the limbs, tail, flank, udder, legs or ears by interval. They have high growth potential of reaching a hard floor and prolonged lying time (Kschonek et al., market weight at an early age under better management 2025). Heel bruising and main claw coronary band lesions conditions. Large White Yorkshire is a large sized and most were seen more frequently and at greater degrees severity extensively used exotic pig breed in India. Their body is in piglets kept on slatted plastic floors than in piglets kept solid white colored with erect ears, dished face and snout of on rubber mats with litter (Heimann et al., 2024). Pigs in medium length. An adult boar (male pig) weighs around 300 raised floors suffer from lameness and injuries while those to 400 kg and an adult sow weighs around 230 to 320 kg. Pig of deep floor suffer only from diarrhea (Tracy et al., 2018) farming requires a small investment on buildings, equipment In commercial pig production, pigs are mostly kept on a and for protection against diseases. Pigs are known for slatted, semi-slatted concrete or concrete floor. These floor their meat yield, which in terms of dressing percentage or types are advantageous in terms of durability, hygiene, and carcass yield ranges from 60 to 80%, which in comparison human

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s of dressing percentage or types are advantageous in terms of durability, hygiene, and carcass yield ranges from 60 to 80%, which in comparison human resources, but offer poor comfort to the animals to ruminants (55%) is high. Pork provides one of the most (Tuyttens et al., 2008). nutritious meat with high fat and low water content and has got better energy value than that of other meats. It is rich 2 . MATERI A LS A N D ME TH O DS in vitamins like thiamin, niacin, and riboflavin. Pigs store fat rapidly for which there is an increasing demand from 2.1. Location of the study poultry feed, soap, paints, and other chemical industries. The experiment was conducted at Pig Unit, Livestock In recent years there has been a growing concern about Farm Complex (LFC), College of Veterinary Science, animal welfare due to the undesirable consequences on Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during Jully, 2020 to November, general productivity performance (Miro et al., 2016). 2020. Animal welfare, among other things, depends on the type 2.2. Environmental conditions of floor in their housing (Mills et al., 2010). The floor as the Hyderabad is located in central Telangana and the city lies main part of the house influences animal welfare through its at 17.366° N latitude and 78.476° E longitude in the Deccan design and material, which is then manifested in species- Plateau and rises to an average height of 536 m above the specific behavior, the occurrence of lesions and diseases, and sea level. Hyderabad has a unique combination of a tropical convenience (Kymalainen et al., 2009). Problems such as wet and dry climate that borders on a hot semi-arid climate lameness and claw and skin lesions are also linked to floor (Koppen climate classification). During the period of the characteristics such

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rid climate lameness and claw and skin lesions are also linked to floor (Koppen climate classification). During the period of the characteristics such as slip resistance, hardness, and surface study, the average maximum temperature recorded was profile (Calderon Diaz et al., 2013). The frequency of skin 31.5˚C while the average minimum temperature was 21.7˚C. lesions increases significantly over the first 3 days of life (Zoric et al., 2004, Zoric et al., 2008, and Hoy and Ziron, 2.3. Selection of experimental animals 1998) and if the floor is hard and rough the healing process The present study was undertaken at the pig unit of the may be delayed. Although (straw) bedding may ensure more Livestock Farm Complex (LFC). 24 Large White Yorkshire comfort, it is incompatible with the manure disposal systems, piglets weaned at 56-day age were allotted randomly to holds increased risk for disease, costs more, and requires 4 experimental groups with 6 piglets in each group in a extra labor (Tuyttens, 2005). Rubber coverings may be a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under an intensive good alternative to exposed concrete: a softer rubber layer system. Weaning was done in the morning hours of the day. increases lying comfort and the cushioning effect protects Piglets were reared on four types of flooring systems i.e., T1 02 International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 16(09): 01-05 (control group) was reared on the concrete floor, T2 rubber 3 . RES U LTS A N D DI S C U S S I O N mat, T3 elevated slatted floor, and T4 was reared on the soil floor. The experimental duration for the postweaning period i.e., experiment II was of 126 days after weaning. T he skin lesion score of LWY piglets reared on four different floor types is presented in Table 2 and

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., experiment II was of 126 days after weaning. T he skin lesion score of LWY piglets reared on four different floor types is presented in Table 2 and represented in Figure 1. 2.4. Housing and management of experimental animals From the data presented in Table 2, it was observed that the The floor space provided was 1.5 m2 per piglet during initial mean skin lesion score of LWY piglets was 0.20±0.09, the post-weaning period. All the piglets were dewormed 0.30±0.10, 0.23±0.10, and 0.20±0.07 and it was decreased after weaning. All the experimental animals were kept to 0.00±0.00, 0.00±0.00, 0.20±0.09, and 0.00±0.00 in T1, under hygienic conditions throughout the experimental T2, T3, and T4 floor types respectively. Statistical analysis period. Healthy surroundings and proper cleanliness were revealed non-significant (p>0.05) differences in mean skin maintained in the experimental sheds. Proper feeding and lesion score among the piglets reared on four floor types watering arrangements were made hygienically. during the initial, first, second, third, fourth, and fifth 2.5. Feeding and watering management fortnight. During the postweaning period, all piglets were fed with The mean skin lesion score of piglets reared on the elevated a concentrate mixture twice a day, i.e., 9.00 AM and 5.00 PM, following the nutrient requirements as per the ICAR (2013). Leftover feed, if any, was recorded the next day morning at 24-hour intervals throughout the experiment to calculate the total feed consumed per day. Potable, clean and fresh drinking water was made available to each animal in separate water troughs throughout the experimental period. The piglets were individually examined every fortnight from birth to weaning during the postweaning period. Piglets were restrained and

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mental period. The piglets were individually examined every fortnight from birth to weaning during the postweaning period. Piglets were restrained and examined for the presence of skin lesions of the carpus, hock, abdomen, and teats, face, and tail. The Concrete floor (T1) Rubber mat floor (T2) severity of the lesions was scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3 as per the lesion score given by Zoric et al. (2004) (Table 1). Table 1: Skin lesions score Score Skin lesions 0 – No lesion 1 – Mild Hairless patches or loss of hair and mild hyperkeratosis 2 – Moderate Skin abrasions i.e., skin on worn away Elevated slatted floor (T3) Soil floor (T4) 3 – Severe Skin wounds. Spots of induration or scab Figure 1: Skin lesions on carpal joint of piglets on different that is a hard mass mainly of dried blood floor types Table 2: Mean±SE values for skin lesion score of LWY piglets during the postweaning period Floor Initial skin Fortnights Overall type lesion score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T1 0.20 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 ±0.09 ±0.17 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.02b T2 0.30 0.53 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 ±0.10 ±0.17 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.01b T3 0.23 0.63 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.13 0.13 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.19 ±0.10 ±0.11 ±0.07 ±0.07 ±0.07 ±0.08 ±0.07a ±0.09a ±0.05a ±0.09a ±0.04a T4 0.20 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 ±0.07 ±0.18 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00 ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.00b ±0.02b Table 2: Continue... 03 Shende et al., 2025 Floor Initial skin Fortnights Overall type lesion score 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 N 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 SEm± 0.043 0.075 0.017 0.017 0.017 0.023 0.020 0.028 0.022 0.028 0.016 p value 0.843 0.923 0.413 0.413 0.413 0.089

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4 5 6 7 8 9 N 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 SEm± 0.043 0.075 0.017 0.017 0.017 0.023 0.020 0.028 0.022 0.028 0.016 p value 0.843 0.923 0.413 0.413 0.413 0.089 0.022 0.010 0.000 0.010 0.006 Means with different superscripts column wise differ significantly: p<0.05; p<0.01; T1: Concrete floor; T2: Rubber mat floor; T3: Elevated slatted floor; T4: Soil floor; N: No. of animals in each treatment; SEm±: Standard error mean; p value: Probability value slatted floor was higher during the sixth, seventh, eighth, limb and claw lesions, and dirtiness of group housed and ninth fortnight and differed significantly with concrete, pigs. Journal of Animal Science 91, 3940–3954. rubber mat, and soil floor. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/91 The mean skin lesion score of piglets reared on the elevated /8/3940/4731460?login=true. slatted floor was higher during the sixth, seventh, eighth, Ekman, L., Nyman, A.K., Landin, H., Persson Waller, K., and ninth fortnight and differed significantly with concrete, 2018. Hock lesions in dairy cows in free stall herds: rubber mat, and soil floor. The overall mean skin lesion score a cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors. was higher in T3 and differed significantly (p<0.01) with T1, Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 60, 1–12. Available at: T2 and T4 floor types. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13028- 018-0401-9. These findings of the higher skin lesion score in pigs reared Falke, A., Friedli, K., Gygax, L., Wechsler, B., Sidler, on the slatted floor are in agreement with the findings of X., Weber, R., 2018. Effect of rubber mats and Lyons et al. (1995), Courboulay et al. (2003), Breuer et perforation in the lying area on claw and limb al. (2004), Scott et al. (2006), Ogunbode et al., 2022 and lesions of

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