Table 2.
Total, individual and group treatment number of animal daily doses per animal (nADDa) are reported as mean ± standard deviation (sd) (median, max) for each parameter of the categorical variables analyzed in 26 fattening operations located in northwestern Italy. Most characteristics are reported as present (“Yes”) or absent (“No”); except for “Maximal weight difference between average batch weight at arrival (kg)”, “Bedding removal in fattening area” and “Bedding removal in fattening area”, which were divided in 3 groups.
| Parameters | Category | n° Farms | Percent | Mean of nADDa ± SD (Median, Max) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Treatments | Single Treatments | Group Treatments | ||||
| Purchase at least the 10% of females | Yes | 10 | 38.5% | 3.2 ± 2.1 (3.2, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.8 (1.2, 2.6) | 2.1 ± 2 (1.6, 6.8) |
| No | 16 | 61.5% | 2.9 ± 2.1 (2.5, 8.2) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.5 ± 1.8 (0.8, 6) | |
| Maximal weight difference between batches’ average weight at arrival (kg) | <50 | 7 | 26.9% | 3.1 ± 2.6 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 1 (1.6, 3) | 1.8 ± 2.4 (1, 6.8) |
| 50–100 | 13 | 50% | 3.2 ± 2.3 (2.6, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 2.6) | 1.9 ± 2 (1.2, 6) | |
| >100 | 6 | 23.1% | 2.4 ± 1.2 (2.5, 3.8) | 1.2 ± 0.5 (1.2, 1.7) | 1.2 ± 1 (1.1, 2.5) | |
| Pre-arrival health information | Yes | 1 | 3.8% | 7 | 1.6 | 5.4 |
| No | 25 | 96.2% | 2.8 ± 2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.6 ± 1.8 (1, 6.8) | |
| Thorough physical examination at arrival | Yes | 8 | 30.8% | 2.5 ± 1.2 (2.5, 4.4) | 0.9 ± 0.4 (0.9, 1.6) | 1.6 ± 1.2 (1.5, 3.9) |
| No | 18 | 69.2% | 3.2 ± 2.4 (2.8, 8.3) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.8 ± 2.1 (0.9, 6.8) | |
| Vaccination against bacteria | Yes | 23 | 88.5% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.8 ± 2 (1, 6.8) |
| No | 3 | 11.5% | 2.7 ± 1.2 (2.3, 4) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.6, 1.6) | 1.5 ± 0.9 (1.2, 2.4) | |
| More than 1 days between arrival and vaccination | Yes | 10 | 38.5% | 2.8 ± 2.3 (2.1, 8.3) | 1.1 ± 0.8 (0.9, 3) | 1.7 ± 2.2 (1.1, 6.8) |
| No | 16 | 61.5% | 3.1 ± 2.1 (2.9, 8.2) | 1.4 ± 0.6 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.7 ± 1.7 (1.1, 6) | |
| Parasiticides at arrival | Yes | 23 | 88.5% | 2.7 ± 2 (2.3, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.1, 3) | 1.5 ± 1.8 (0.8, 6.8) |
| No | 3 | 11.5% | 5.1 ± 2.8 (4, 8.2) | 1.9 ± 0.3 (1.7, 2.2) | 3.3 ± 2.4 (2.4, 6) | |
| Regular antimicrobial prophylactic/metaphylactic treatment at arrival | Yes | 15 | 57.7% | 3.9 ± 2.3 (3.5, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.6 (1.5, 2.2) | 2.6 ± 2 (2, 6.8) |
| No | 11 | 42.3% | 1.8 ± 1.1 (1.5, 4.4) | 1.3 ± 0.9 (1.1, 3) | 0.5 ± 0.6 (0.1, 1.8) | |
| Presence of a cattle crush | Yes | 9 | 34.6% | 3.5 ± 2.6 (3.5, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.5 (1.5, 2.2) | 2.2 ± 2.2 (2, 6) |
| No | 17 | 65.4% | 2.7 ± 1.9 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.8 (1.4, 3) | 1.5 ± 1.7 (0.8, 6.8) | |
| Animal handling corridor | Yes | 15 | 57.7% | 3.2 ± 2.1 (3, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.9 ± 2 (1.4, 6.8) |
| No | 11 | 42.3% | 2.8 ± 2.2 (2.3, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1.4, 2.6) | 1.5 ± 1.7 (0.8, 6) | |
| Specific diet for animals in quarantine | Yes | 7 | 26.9% | 2.8 ± 2.6 (2, 8.2) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.2) | 1.6 ± 2.1 (0.8, 6) |
| No | 19 | 73.1% | 3.1 ± 2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.8 ± 1.9 (1.2, 6.8) | |
| Fattening group divided by origin or arrival | Yes | 5 | 19.2% | 2.3 ± 1.7 (1.2, 4.4) | 0.8 ± 0.6 (1, 1.5) | 1.5 ± 1.6 (1, 3.9) |
| No | 21 | 80.8% | 3.2 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.8 ± 2 (1.2, 6.8) | |
| Fattening group divided by weight at arrival | Yes | 24 | 92.3% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.7 ± 2 (1, 6.8) |
| No | 2 | 7.7% | 2.4 ± 2 (2.4, 3.8) | 0.8 ± 1 (0.8, 1.5) | 1.7 ± 0.9 (1.7, 2.3) | |
| Daily check on animal by entering the pen | Yes | 5 | 19.2% | 3.6 ± 2.2 (2.6, 7) | 1.2 ± 0.5 (1.1, 1.8) | 2.4 ± 2.2 (1.9, 5.4) |
| No | 21 | 80.8% | 2.9 ± 2.2 (2.3, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1.5, 3) | 1.6 ± 1.8 (1, 6.8) | |
| All sick animals examined by veterinarian before treatment * | Yes | 9 | 34.6% | 2.1 ± 1.3 (1.5, 4.4) | 1.2 ± 0.8 (1.5, 2.6) | 0.9 ± 0.8 (0.8, 2.3) |
| No | 17 | 65.4% | 3.5 ± 2.4 (3, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 2.1 ± 2.2 (1.9, 6.8) | |
| Animals moved to infirmary at the first onset clinical signs | Yes | 5 | 19.2% | 2.2 ± 1.1 (1.7, 3.5) | 0.8 ± 0.6 (0.8, 1.5) | 1.4 ± 0.6 (1.2, 2) |
| No | 21 | 80.8% | 3.2 ± 2.3 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.8 ± 2.1 (0.8, 6.8) | |
| Mechanical ventilation in closed areas | Yes | 23 | 88.5% | 3.2 ± 2.2 (3, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.8 ± 2 (1.4, 6.8) |
| No | 3 | 11.5% | 1.7 ± 0.8 (1.3, 2.6) | 0.8 ± 0.9 (0.5, 1.8) | 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.8, 1) | |
| Scraper in at least one area | Yes | 13 | 50% | 3.2 ± 2.3 (3, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1, 3) | 1.9 ± 2.1 (1.2, 6) |
| No | 13 | 50% | 2.8 ± 2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.5 ± 1.7 (1, 6.8) | |
| Open quarantine area | Yes | 17 | 65.4% | 2.9 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.2) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.1, 3) | 1.7 ± 1.9 (1.2, 6) |
| No | 9 | 34.6% | 3.1 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.8 ± 2 (1, 6.8) | |
| Isolated quarantine area | Yes | 23 | 88.5% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.8 ± 2 (1.2, 6.8) |
| No | 3 | 11.5% | 2.5 ± 1.4 (2.6, 3.8) | 1.1 ± 0.9 (1.5, 1.8) | 1.4 ± 0.8 (1, 2.3) | |
| Paddock in quarantine area | Yes | 6 | 23.1% | 2.8 ± 2.4 (1.6, 7) | 0.9 ± 0.4 (0.9, 1.6) | 1.9 ± 2.2 (1, 5.4) |
| No | 20 | 76.9% | 3 ± 2.1 (2.8, 8.3) | 1.4 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.7 ± 1.8 (1.2, 6.8) | |
| Scraper in the quarantine area | Yes | 2 | 7.7% | 2.5 ± 1.4 (2.5, 3.5) | 0.9 ± 0.2 (0.9, 1) | 1.6 ± 1.3 (1.6, 2.5) |
| No | 24 | 92.3% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.7 ± 1.9 (1.1, 6.8) | |
| Quarantine disinfection | Yes | 24 | 92.3% | 3.1 ± 2.2 (2.8, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.8 ± 1.9 (1.3, 6.8) |
| No | 2 | 7.7% | 1.3 ± 0.9 (1.3, 2) | 1.1 ± 0.6 (1.1, 1.5) | 0.2 ± 0.3 (0.2, 0.4) | |
| Open fattening area | Yes | 3 | 11.5% | 1.5 ± 0.5 (1.3, 2) | 1 ± 0.5 (1, 1.6) | 0.5 ± 0.4 (0.5, 0.8) |
| No | 23 | 88.5% | 3.2 ± 2.2 (3, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.9 ± 1.9 (1.4, 6.8) | |
| Paddock in fattening area | Yes | 6 | 23.1% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.8, 7) | 1.4 ± 0.9 (1.3, 3) | 1.6 ± 2.1 (0.9, 5.4) |
| No | 20 | 76.9% | 3 ± 2.2 (2.5, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.8 ± 1.9 (1.1, 6.8) | |
| Scraper in fattening area | Yes | 12 | 46.2% | 3.4 ± 2.4 (3.3, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1.2, 3) | 2.1 ± 2.1 (1.8, 6) |
| No | 14 | 53.8% | 2.7 ± 2 (2.5, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.4 ± 1.7 (0.9, 6.8) | |
| Bedding removal in fattening area | Scraper | 6 | 23.1% | 4.3 ± 2.8 (3.9, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.2) | 3 ± 2.2 (2.4, 6) |
| Scraper and manual | 6 | 23.1% | 2.4 ± 1.4 (2.2, 4.4) | 1.2 ± 0.9 (0.9, 3) | 1.2 ± 1.6 (0.4, 3.9) | |
| Manual | 14 | 53.8% | 2.7 ± 2 (2.5, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.4 ± 1.7 (0.9, 6.8) | |
| Fattening area disinfection | Yes | 21 | 80.8% | 3.2 ± 2.3 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.4, 3) | 1.9 ± 2 (1.2, 6.8) |
| No | 5 | 19.2% | 2.3 ± 1.6 (2, 4) | 1.2 ± 0.5 (1.5, 1.6) | 1.2 ± 1.1 (0.6, 2.4) | |
| Depopulation period in fattening area | Yes | 2 | 7.7% | 5.4 ± 4 (5.4, 8.2) | 2 ± 0.3 (2, 2.2) | 3.4 ± 3.7 (3.4, 6) |
| No | 24 | 92.3% | 2.8 ± 1.9 (2.5, 8.3) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.3, 3) | 1.6 ± 1.7 (1.1, 6.8) | |
| Open hospital pens | Yes | 12 | 46.2% | 2.4 ± 1.3 (2.3, 4.4) | 1.1 ± 0.6 (1.3, 1.8) | 1.3 ± 1.1 (1, 3.9) |
| No | 14 | 53.8% | 3.5 ± 2.6 (2.8, 8.3) | 1.4 ± 0.8 (1.5, 3) | 2.1 ± 2.3 (1.4, 6.8) | |
| Hospital pens isolated from rest of the barn | Yes | 8 | 30.8% | 2.4 ± 1.6 (2.2, 4.4) | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.1, 2.6) | 1.2 ± 1.3 (1, 3.9) |
| No | 18 | 69.2% | 3.3 ± 2.3 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.9 ± 2.1 (1.1, 6.8) | |
| Paddock in the hospital pens | Yes | 1 | 3.8% | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.09 |
| No | 25 | 96.2% | 3.1 ± 2.2 (2.6, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.7 (1.5 3) | 1.8 ± 1.9 (1.2, 6.8) | |
| Scraper in hospital pens | Yes | 6 | 23.1% | 2.5 ± 2.3 (1.6, 7) | 1.2 ± 1 (0.9, 3) | 1.2 ± 2.1 (0.4, 5.4) |
| No | 20 | 76.9% | 3.1 ± 2.1 (2.9, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.6 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.9 ± 1.8 (1.6, 6.8) | |
| Bedding removing in hospital pens | Scraper | 3 | 11.5% | 3.4 ± 3.1 (1.7, 7) | 0.9 ± 0.6 (0.8, 1.6) | 2.4 ± 2.5 (1.2, 5.4) |
| Scraper and manual | 3 | 11.5% | 1.6 ± 1.3 (1.1, 3) | 1.6 ± 1.3 (1, 3) | 0.03 ± 0.05 (0, 0.08) | |
| Manual | 20 | 77% | 3.1 ± 2.1 (2.9, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.6 (1.5, 2.6) | 1.9 ± 1.8 (1.6, 6.8) | |
| Hospital pens disinfection | Yes | 24 | 92.3% | 3.1 ± 2.2 (2.8, 8.3) | 1. ± 0.7 (1.5, 3) | 1.8 ± 1.9 (1.2, 6.8) |
| No | 2 | 7.7% | 1.2 ± 0.7 (1.2, 1.7) | 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.6, 0.7) | 0.6 ± 0.9 (0.6, 1.2) | |
| Depopulation period in hospital pens | Yes | 10 | 38.5% | 3.2 ± 2 (3.1, 8.2) | 1.3 ± 0.6 (1.5, 2.2) | 2 ± 1.8 (1.6, 6) |
| No | 16 | 61.5% | 2.8 ± 2.2 (2.2, 8.3) | 1.3 ± 0.8 (1.3, 3) | 1.6 ± 2 (0.8, 6.8) | |
* Farms in the category “No” did not necessarily treat all animals without a previous clinical examination by a veterinarian, but this possibility was discussed with the practitioner following the farm, who left specific treatment plans for the farmer.