The effect of various flooring materials on performance and foot health of early-weaned pigs

The effects of various flooring materials on the performance and foot health of early-weaned piglets were evaluated in seven trials using 728 pigs. Pigs housed on galvanized flattened expanded metal, plastic-coated expanded metal, perforated galvanized panels, galvanized woven wire and plastic-coated woven wire had similar average daily gains, average daily feed intakes and feed/gain ratios. Foot pad scores were lower (less cuts, cracks and abrasions) for plastic-coated expanded metal, plastic-coated woven wire and perforated galvanized panels than for galvanized expanded metal and galvanized woven wire. While foot pad scores varied among flooring materials, none of the flooring materials produced lesions that resulted in any visible discomfort or inhibition of locomotion of the pigs. Correlation coefficients between individual pig body weight and foot pad scores were positively related indicating that body weight may be a factor contributing to lesion severity. Although foot pad lesions were common in the weanling pigs, with some variation due to flooring materials, there were no differential effects among the flooring materials evaluated on performance or visible comfort of the pigs.