TY - JOUR AU - Bernaerdt, Elise AU - Dewulf, Jeroen AU - Verhulst, Robin AU - Bonckaert, Caroline AU - Maes, Dominiek PY - 2021 DA - 2021/03/08 TI - Purchasing policy, quarantine and acclimation practices of breeding gilts in Belgian pig farms JO - Porcine Health Management SP - 25 VL - 7 IS - 1 AB - The breeding population is very important in pig herds, for productivity, health and profitability. Replacement of breeding animals can be accomplished by own rearing of breeding gilts or by purchasing them. Purchasing breeding gilts is a hazardous event in terms of biosecurity and introduction of pathogens into a farm. However, in literature, little is known about gilt introduction in a herd. The present study investigated the introduction procedures of purchased breeding gilts in Belgian pig herds, and the compliance of these herds to the optimal introduction procedures. A questionnaire consisting of twenty questions related to farm characteristics (n = 2), purchasing policy (n = 6), quarantine period (n = 5), and acclimation practices (n = 7) was designed, and 68 farms completed the questionnaire during an on-farm interview. SN - 2055-5660 UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-021-00205-2 DO - 10.1186/s40813-021-00205-2 ID - Bernaerdt2021 ER -