Pig

Improving maternal welfare during gestation has positive outcomes on neonatal survival and modulates offspring immune response in pigs

Improving the housing of pregnant sows by giving them more space and access to deep straw had positive effects on their welfare, influenced their maternal behavior and improved the survival of their offspring. The present study aimed at determining whether...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & Management, Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Merlot, E., Meunier-Salaün, M.-C., Peuteman, B. et al. 2022. Improving maternal welfare during gestation has positive outcomes on neonatal survival and modulates offspring immune response in pigs. Physiology & Behavior 249, 113751.

Stereotypic behaviors are associated with physiology and immunity differences in long-term confined sows

Pregnant sows in the confined environment have poor welfare and frequently perform stereotypic behaviors. In order to clarify whether highly stereotypic behavior is a sign of increased stress and successfully contributes to coping with or adaptation to adverse environment, fifty...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Pan, L., Nian, H., Zhang, R. et al. 2022. Stereotypic behaviors are associated with physiology and immunity differences in long-term confined sows. Physiology & Behavior 249, 113776.

Sow behavior during introduction to a large dynamic group is influenced by familiarity and method

Sows in an extensive setting maintain small, stable matrilineal social groups comprised of familiar, and often genetically related, conspecifics. Providing conditions in an intensive farm setting which allow similar social groups could reduce aggression by allowing familiar sows to benefit...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Kranz, V. A., Horback, K. M., Parsons, T. D. et al. 2022. Sow behavior during introduction to a large dynamic group is influenced by familiarity and method. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 250, 105624.

Advancing a “good life” for farm animals: Development of resource tier frameworks for on-farm assessment of positive welfare for beef cattle, broiler chicken and pigs

There is increasing recognition that farm animal welfare standards should ensure positive welfare, as well as prevent negative welfare. Resources that are valued by an animal and that provide opportunities to engage in motivated behaviours can elicit positive physical and...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Pig

Citation: Rowe, E., Mullan, S. 2022. Advancing a “good life” for farm animals: Development of resource tier frameworks for on-farm assessment of positive welfare for beef cattle, broiler chicken and pigs. Animals 12(5), 565.

Taking blood from a Göttingen minipig while placed in a sling

Traditionally Göttingen minipigs are restrained in dorsal recumbency to have access to the blood vessels in the neck. Minipigs, like any other animal do not particularly like to be restrained and being turned on their backs with their belly exposed....

Year Published: 2022Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Zeltner, A., Cristofferson, C. 2022. Taking blood from a Göttingen minipig while placed in a sling. Animal Technology and Welfare 21(1), 58-61.

How housing conditions determine the welfare of pigs

Humans who care for pigs prefer an environment that not only allows the pigs to express their natural behaviors but also limits the development of aggression and stereotypes. Most of the behavioral and health problems encountered by pigs in barren,...

Year Published: 2021Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ludwiczak, A., Skrzypczak, E., Składanowska-Baryza, J. et al. 2021. How housing conditions determine the welfare of pigs. Animals 11(12), 3484.

The effect of music on livestock: Cattle, poultry and pigs

The welfare of animals, especially those kept in intensive production systems, is a priority for modern agriculture. This stems from the desire to keep animals healthy, to obtain a good-quality final product, and to meet the demands of today's consumers,...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Pig

Citation: Ciborowska, P., Michalczuk, M., Bień, D. 2021. The effect of music on livestock: Cattle, poultry and pigs. Animals 11(12), 3572.

Implementation of a pig toilet in a nursery pen with a straw-littered lying area

In this study, a pig toilet was installed on an organic pig farm, which enabled pigs to use a lying area littered with straw and keep it clean. The pig toilet was separated into a defaecation area and a urination...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Tillmanns, M., Scheepens, K., Stolte, M. et al. 2022. Implementation of a pig toilet in a nursery pen with a straw-littered lying area. Animals 12(1), 113.

The use of attractants to stimulate neonatal piglet interest in rope enrichment

In the United States swine industry, preweaning mortality represents the highest mortality rate of any production phase, nearly half attributed to crushing. The overarching aim of this study was to determine if enrichment ropes would entice neonatal piglets away from...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Sundman, E. R., Gabler, N. K., Millman, S. T. et al. 2022. The use of attractants to stimulate neonatal piglet interest in rope enrichment. Animals 12(2), 211.

Lying, feeding and activity preference of weaned piglets for LED-illuminated vs. dark pen compartments

Little is known on the effect of light on pig behaviour. The choice behaviour of weaned piglets kept under two different light-emitting diode (LED) illuminance levels was investigated: 32 piglets (in two batches) were housed in a preference test room...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Götz, S., Raoult, C. M. C., Reiter, K. et al. 2022. Lying, feeding and activity preference of weaned piglets for LED-illuminated vs. dark pen compartments. Animals 12(2), 202.