Does the presence of shoulder ulcers affect the behaviour of sows?

•Behavioural consequences of shoulder ulcers in sows were examined•Sows with shoulder ulcers differed from healthy control sows, suggesting that the U-sows experienced discomfort or pain, and indicating that the maternal behaviour can be sensitive to the presence of shoulder ulcers•Further studies – focussing on the temporal development of shoulder ulcers combined with the behaviour of sows and piglets – are needed to clarify the animal welfare impact.

Shoulder ulcers are common in lactating sows. This case-control study compared behaviour of sows with shoulder ulcers (U-sows; N = 19) versus controls (C-sows; N = 19) and involved multiparous LxY sows, 14.7 ± 0.3 days post partum, kept in farrowing crates in a Danish herd. U-sows had at least one shoulder ulcer. Behavioural data were based on video recordings during a 24h period.U-sows spent less time lying (P = 0.04), tended to perform more postural changes (P = 0.096), spent more time standing still (P = 0.02), showed increased shoulder rubbing (P = 0.03) and reduced nursing frequency (P = 0.03) compared to the controls. These results show that the behaviour of sows with shoulder ulcers differ from healthy sows, suggesting that U-sows experienced discomfort or pain, and indicating that maternal behaviour can be sensitive to the presence of shoulder ulcers. Further studies – focussing on temporal development of shoulder ulcers combined with behaviour of sows and piglets – are needed to clarify animal welfare impact.