Pig

Enrichment for farm animals

Review of basic principles of adequate housing and handling of farm animals in the research laboratory setting.

Year Published: 1995Animal Type: All/General, Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Appleby, M. C. 1995. Enrichment for farm animals. Animal Welfare Information Center [AWIC] Resource Series 2, 63-67.

Effects of space allocation and temperature on periparturient maternal behaviors, steroid concentrations, and piglet growth rates

Similar periparturient behaviors were displayed by all sows, regardless of farrowing environment. Sows in pens had a reduced piglet birth interval compared with sows in crates (12.95 +/- 1.35 min vs 18.31 +/- 2.21 min, respectively). Additionally, compared with multiparous...

Year Published: 1996Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Biensen, N. J., von Borell, E. H., Ford, S. P. 1996. Effects of space allocation and temperature on periparturient maternal behaviors, steroid concentrations, and piglet growth rates. Journal of Animal Science 74 , 2641-2648.

The effect of a fixed or free toy on the growth rate and aggressive behaviour of weaned pigs and the influence of hierarchy on initial investigation of the toys

The toys were used as play objects ... and resulted in a lower level of aggressive behaviour. The animals displayed a preference for fixed toys and a tendency to decrease their level of play with the fixed and free toys...

Year Published: 1997Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Blackshaw, J. K., Thomas, F. J., Lee, J.-A. 1997. The effect of a fixed or free toy on the growth rate and aggressive behaviour of weaned pigs and the influence of hierarchy on initial investigation of the toys. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 53, 203-212.

Effects of grouping unfamiliar adult pigs after dark, after treatment with amperozide and by using pens with stalls, on aggression, skin lesions and plasma cortisol concentrations

The effects of methods, previously shown to reduce aggression, were determined on the number of aggressive interactions, skin lesions and plasma cortisol concentrations following grouping of four unfamiliar, adult ovariectomised pigs. .. Fewer aggressive interactions (P < 0.05) occurred 15-90...

Year Published: 1996Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Barnett, J. L., Cronin, g. M., McCallum, T. H. et al. 1996. Effects of grouping unfamiliar adult pigs after dark, after treatment with amperozide and by using pens with stalls, on aggression, skin lesions and plasma cortisol concentrations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 50, 121-133.

Behaviour and productivity of sows and piglets in a family system and in farrowing crates

In this experiment, effects of the family system on the maternal behaviour of the sow were examined and compared with farrowing crates....In the family system piglets spent more time playing... There were fewer false nursings without milk letdown and a...

Year Published: 1996Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Arey, D. S., Sancha, E. S. 1996. Behaviour and productivity of sows and piglets in a family system and in farrowing crates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 50, 135-145.

Recommendations for investigators using pigs in research

Valuable, basic recommendations for pig-adequate husbandry. Provide pigs with roughage; enrich the environment to counteract frustration and boredom resulting from chronic understimulation; provide pigs with regular positive human contact; allow the pigs to run up and down the aisles at...

Year Published: 1997Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Grandin, T. 1997. Recommendations for investigators using pigs in research. In: Comfortable Quarters for Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition. Reinhardt, V. (ed), 107-109. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

Effects of enrichment and floor type on behaviour of cubicle loose-housed dry sows

Spent mushroom compost is presented to the pigs as a rooting medium suspended over their housing on flat wood and wire racks as this removes the need for extra space allowance. The use of this substrate reduces aggression and injuries...

Year Published: 1997Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Durrell, J., Sneddon, I. A., Beattie, V. E. 1997. Effects of enrichment and floor type on behaviour of cubicle loose-housed dry sows. Animal Welfare 6, 297-308.

The circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol in growing pigs: Effects of age, gender, and stress

This experiment was designed to examine circadian rhythmicity of cortisol in saliva of growing pigs, in relation to age, gender, and (time of) stressor application. Additionally, the acute cortisol response to a stressor was studied. Five groups, each consisting of...

Year Published: 1997Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Ruis, M. A. W., Te Brake, J. H. A., Engel, B. et al. 1997. The circadian rhythm of salivary cortisol in growing pigs: Effects of age, gender, and stress. Physiology and Behavior 62, 623-630.

Environmental enrichment for dairy calves and pigs

Frequency of cross sucking was greater for calves in pens without enrichment devices [gadgets triggering sucking and chewing]. .. Both the ball and chain were used very little.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Pig

Citation: Morrow-Tesch, J. 1997. Environmental enrichment for dairy calves and pigs. Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) Newsletter 7(3/4), 3-12.

Preference testing of substrates by growing pigs

Peat, mushroom compost and sawdust were preferred most with sand next and woodbark and straw being preferred only to concrete. It was suggested that growing pigs may be attracted to substrates which are similar in texture to earth.

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Beattie, V. E., Walter, N., Sneddon, I. A. 1998. Preference testing of substrates by growing pigs. Animal Welfare 7, 27-34.