Pig

Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare

A fundamental understanding of behavior is essential to improving the welfare of billions of farm animals around the world. Despite living in an environment managed by humans, farm animals are still capable of making important behavioral decisions that influence welfare....

Year Published: 2022Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Lee, V. E., Arnott, G., Turner, S. P. 2022. Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 932217.

The application of 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics towards refinement of the piglet grimace scale

Proper methods of assessment to objectively identify pain are essential for welfare improvements of piglets undergoing surgical castration on commercial farms. The Piglet Grimace Scale (PGS) is used to identify changes in facial expressions caused by acute pain in piglets...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Lou, M. E., Porter, S. T., Massey, J. S. et al. 2022. The application of 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics towards refinement of the piglet grimace scale. Animals 12(15), 1944.

Effects of music therapy on neuroplasticity, welfare, and performance of piglets exposed to music therapy in the intra- and extra-uterine phases

The rearing environment of pigs can cause a high level of stress due to the lack of stimuli and the impossibility of carrying out natural behaviors. Music therapy is a way to enrich the environment and promote stress relief. Few...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Lippi, I. C. de C., Caldara, F. R., Almeida-Paz, I. C. de L. et al. 2022. Effects of music therapy on neuroplasticity, welfare, and performance of piglets exposed to music therapy in the intra- and extra-uterine phases. Animals 12(17), 2211.

Role of topical anaesthesia in pain management of farm animals, a changing paradigm

Field evidence indicates that livestock producers are motivated by access to products that readily deliver pain management during husbandry interventions and, more recently, viral epidermal infectious diseases, including FMD. There has been impressive adoption in Australia of a farmer-applied spray-on...

Year Published: 2022Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Windsor, P. A. 2022. Role of topical anaesthesia in pain management of farm animals, a changing paradigm. Animals 12(18), 2459.

Music modulates emotional responses in growing pigs

There is a lack of clarity on whether pigs can emotionally respond to musical stimulation and whether that response is related to music structure. Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) was used to evaluate effects of 16 distinct musical pieces (in terms...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Zapata Cardona, J., Ceballos, M. C., Tarazona Morales, A. M. et al. 2022. Music modulates emotional responses in growing pigs. Scientific Reports 12(1), 3382.

Effect of enrichment items on the physiology and behavior of sows in the third trimester of pregnancy

Modern intensive pig breeding harms animal welfare, which is especially noticeable for pregnant sows kept in confinement stalls. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of enrichment items on the movement and physiological parameters of sows in the third trimester...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Li, S., Hu, H., Huang, J. et al. 2022. Effect of enrichment items on the physiology and behavior of sows in the third trimester of pregnancy. Animals 12(11), 1355.

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.