Pig

Indication that the presence of older conspecifics reduces agonistic behaviour in piglets at weaning

Piglets weaned under commercial systems are greatly stressed by maternal separation, abrupt changes in the diet and mixing of litters. Intensive agonistic interactions exacerbate this challenge for piglets. We investigated effects of older conspecific presence in the nursery pen after...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Morrone, B., Bernardino, T., Tatemoto, P. et al. 2021. Indication that the presence of older conspecifics reduces agonistic behaviour in piglets at weaning. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 234, 105201.

Applications of behavioral training to laboratory animals

How many of us have had this experience? We go to a conference, we read an article, we watch a video. We understand operant conditioning. We grasp the concepts behind clicker training, target training, and how we are supposed to...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: All/General, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Shyan-Norwalt, M. 2021. Applications of behavioral training to laboratory animals. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(1) (January/February), 13-15.

Cooperative pig training that literally saves your back

This article describes the successful training of a pig to wear a jacket.

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Combs, S. R., Lambert, K. 2021. Cooperative pig training that literally saves your back. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(1) (January/February), 42-45.

Using positive reinforcement training to build compliance in Sinclair mini pigs

Pigs are an ideal model for treating osteochondral defects, though their sedentary nature could impair their healing when being used for one of these projects. Following joint injury, some level of lameness is anticipated. Developing a routine of exercise is...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Perez, J., Collins, R., Lambert, K. 2021. Using positive reinforcement training to build compliance in Sinclair mini pigs. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(1) (January/February), 50-53.

Assessment of a noninvasive chronic glucose monitoring system in euglycemic and diabetic swine (Sus scrofa)

Models of type-I diabetes are well-characterized and commonly used in the preclinical evaluation of drugs and medical devices. The diabetic minipig is an excellent example of a translational model. However, chronic glucose monitoring in this species can be challenging; frequent...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Disease/Experimental Model, External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Ober, R. A., Geist, G. E. 2020. Assessment of a noninvasive chronic glucose monitoring system in euglycemic and diabetic swine (Sus scrofa). JAALAS 59(4), 430-437.

Anxiety behavior in pigs (Sus scrofa) decreases through affiliation and may anticipate threat

Anxiety is a physio-psychological state anticipating an imminent threat. In social mammals it is behaviorally expressed via displacement activities and buffered via affiliation. Anxiety research on domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) has mostly focused on abnormal/stereotypic behavior associated with intensive farming....

Year Published: 2021Topics: Natural Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Norscia, I., Collarini, E.,Cordoni, G. 2021. Anxiety behavior in pigs (Sus scrofa) decreases through affiliation and may anticipate threat. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 630164.

Analysis of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress in pigs in two different farrowing systems

Confinement to farrowing crates is known to prevent sows from performing natural behavior, impairing animal welfare and possibly causing chronic stress. Hair cortisol analyses are increasingly used to detect chronic stress in animals. In the present study, hair samples were...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Wiechers, D.-H., Brunner, S., Herbrandt, S. et al. 2021. Analysis of hair cortisol as an indicator of chronic stress in pigs in two different farrowing systems. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 605078.

Is magnesium supplementation an effective nutritional method to reduce stress in domestic pigs? A systematic review

In commercial pig production, stressful events are common and can have detrimental impacts on the pig's health and welfare, as well as on the performance of the farm. Supplementary magnesium may reduce stress, and subsequent harmful and aggressive behaviors, that...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Bushby, E. V., Dye, L., Collins, L. M. 2021. Is magnesium supplementation an effective nutritional method to reduce stress in domestic pigs? A systematic review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 596205.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small and highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. An intriguing aspect in identifying these molecules as biomarkers is derived from their role in...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Fowl, Goat, Mink, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Miretti, S., Lecchi, C., Ceciliani, F. et al. 2020. MicroRNAs as biomarkers for animal health and welfare in livestock. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 578193.

The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship

It is now widely recognised that a positive human-animal relationship is beneficial not only for farm animals' welfare but also for productivity and the quality of products. A better understanding of animal emotions is an important goal in disciplines ranging...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Marcet-Rius, M., Pageat, P., Bienboire-Frosini, C. et al. 2020. The provision of toys to pigs can improve the human-animal relationship. Porcine Health Management 6, 29.