Pig

Humane euthanasia of neonates I: validation of the effectiveness of the Zephyr EXL non-penetrating captive-bolt euthanasia system on neonate piglets up to 10

To determine if mechanical blunt force trauma using a non-penetrating captive bolt was a viable method of producing an immediate stun/kill in neonate piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) as an alternative to manual blunt force trauma. Piglets (n = 60) were...

Year Published: 2017Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Grist, A., Murrell, J. C., McKinstry, J. L. et al. 2017. Humane euthanasia of neonates I: validation of the effectiveness of the Zephyr EXL non-penetrating captive-bolt euthanasia system on neonate piglets up to 10.9 kg live-weight. Animal Welfare 26(1), 111-120.

Automatic early warning of tail biting in pigs: 3D cameras can detect lowered tail posture before an outbreak

Tail biting is a major welfare and economic problem for indoor pig producers worldwide. Low tail posture is an early warning sign which could reduce tail biting unpredictability. Taking a precision livestock farming approach, we used Time-of-flight 3D cameras, processing...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: D'Eath, R. B., Jack, M., Futro, A. et al. 2018. Automatic early warning of tail biting in pigs: 3D cameras can detect lowered tail posture before an outbreak. PLOS ONE 13(4), e0194524.

Behavior of pigs reared in enriched environment: Alternatives to extend pigs attention

Three trials were carried out in a completely randomized design aiming to assess the behavior of pigs in growth phase in enriched environments. Trial 1 evaluated the effects of frequency of availability of environmental enrichment. The animals were assigned to...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Machado, S. P., Caldara, F. R., Foppa, L. et al. 2017. Behavior of pigs reared in enriched environment: Alternatives to extend pigs attention. PLOS ONE 12(1), e0168427.

A link between damaging behaviour in pigs, sanitary conditions, and dietary protein and amino acid supply

The tendency to reduce crude protein (CP) levels in pig diets to increase protein efficiency may increase the occurrence of damaging behaviours such as ear and tail biting, particularly for pigs kept under suboptimal health conditions. We studied, in a...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: van der Meer, Y., Gerrits, W. J. J., Jansman, A. J. M. 2017. A link between damaging behaviour in pigs, sanitary conditions, and dietary protein and amino acid supply. PLOS ONE 12(5), e0174688.

Consequences for piglet performance of group housing lactating sows at one, two, or three weeks post-farrowing

Housing lactating sows with piglets in a multi-suckling pen from around 14 days post-farrowing is common practice in Swedish organic piglet production. However, nursing-suckling interaction is less frequent in multi-suckling pens than in individual farrowing pens, thus affecting piglet performance,...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Thomsson, O., Sjunnesson, Y., Magnusson, U. et al. 2016. Consequences for piglet performance of group housing lactating sows at one, two, or three weeks post-farrowing. PLOS ONE 11(6), e0156581.

Enriched housing reduces disease susceptibility to co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A

Until today, anti-microbial drugs have been the therapy of choice to combat bacterial diseases. Resistance against antibiotics is of growing concern in man and animals. Stress, caused by demanding environmental conditions, can reduce immune protection in the host, influencing the...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: van Dixhoorn, I. D. E., Reimert, I., Middelkoop, J. et al. 2016. Enriched housing reduces disease susceptibility to co-infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) in young pigs. PLOS ONE 11(9), e0161832.

A comparison of the behaviour of the Suidae

Detailed description of the species-typical behavior of pigs

Year Published: 1974Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Freidrich, H. 1974. A comparison of the behaviour of the Suidae. In: The Behaviour of Ungulates and Its Relation to Management, IUCN New Series, No. 24. Geist, V. , Walther, F. (eds), 133-143. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources [IUCN], Morges, Switzerland.

The effect of straw on the behaviour of sows in tethered stalls

Offering straw to sows tethered in individual stalls had a recreational effect, reducing the incidence of stereotypic activities, including biting neighboring animals.

Year Published: 1975Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Fraser, D. 1975. The effect of straw on the behaviour of sows in tethered stalls. Animal Production 21, 59-68.

A comparative study of the well-being of piglets reared conventionally and in cages

This study is a comparison between two types of housing for piglets: one type including a great variety of stimuli and which can therefore be called a rich environment, the other type apparently being monotonous with very few stimuli for...

Year Published: 1976Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Van Putten, G., Dammers, J. 1976. A comparative study of the well-being of piglets reared conventionally and in cages. Applied Animal Ethology (Applied Animal Behaviour Science) 2, 339-356.

Sensory reinforcement and illumination preference in the domestic pig

When able to control the photoperiod for themselves, pigs prefer some light and some dark every hour of the day and every hour of the night. Although light onset is only weakly reinforcing to pigs they strongly prefer light to...

Year Published: 1977Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Baldwin, B. A., Meese, G. B. 1977. Sensory reinforcement and illumination preference in the domestic pig. Animal Behaviour 25, 497-507.