Pig

Preferences of minipigs for environmental enrichment objects

The minipig is an increasingly popular species for use in behavioral and toxicologic studies. As a result, quantification of environmental enrichment preferences for this species is especially important. We exposed 6 individually housed prepubertal female Yucatan minipigs to 1 of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Smith, M. E., Gopee, N. V., Ferguson, S. A. 2009. Preferences of minipigs for environmental enrichment objects. JAALAS 48(4), 391-394.

From operant learning to cognitive enrichment in farm animal housing: bases and applicability

This study has its basis in recent findings by our own and other laboratories and proposes a type of rewarded operant learning that seeks the detection of discriminatory cues as a cognitive enrichment in intensive husbandry systems. This type of...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Equine, Goat, Pig

Citation: Manteuffel, G., Langbein, J., Puppe, B. 2009. From operant learning to cognitive enrichment in farm animal housing: bases and applicability. Animal Welfare 18, 87-95.

Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future

The Council has examined the effectiveness of British policy on farm animal welfare since 1965 and sets out a strategy that will lead to steady improvements in welfare over the next 20 years. Proposals are made for Government and commercial...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: All/General, Bird, Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Farm Animal Welfare Council 2009. Farm Animal Welfare in Great Britain: Past, Present and Future. Farm Animal Welfare Council, London, UK.

The use of positive reinforcement with Göttinger minipigs

Experimental procedures, such as dosing, weighing, and physical exams are usual parameters included in nonclinical safety and efficacy studies using laboratory animals. Many of these procedures are often associated with discomfort for the animals and restraint is necessary, which can...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Brodersen, T., Glerup, P., Mølgaard, S. et al. 2010. The use of positive reinforcement with Göttinger minipigs. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 721-722 (Abstract #P128).

Hose as an environmental enrichment toy for laboratory swine (Sus scrofa)

It was suggested that hoses are a suitable, safe addition to a swine enrichment program.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Allison, S. O., Pohle, K. M. 2009. Hose as an environmental enrichment toy for laboratory swine (Sus scrofa). American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 121 (Abstract).

Domestic pigs alter their social strategy in response to social group size

In a series of studies, we investigated the concept that domesticated pigs may adopt cost efficient social strategies, in which individuals become less aggressive due to a higher number of potential competitors, in large social groups. Six blocks, each comprising...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Pig

Citation: Samarkone TS, Gonyou HW. 2009. Domestic pigs alter their social strategy in response to social group size. App Anim Behav Sci. 121;8-15.

The effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on exploration and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs

The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on explorative and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs. Thirty-six pens with partly slatted concrete floor were allocated to one of four treatments: (1) low space...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Jensen, M. B., Studnitz, M., Pedersen, L. J. 2010. The effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on exploration and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 123(3-4), 87-92.

Swine enrichment techniques that increase efficiency and promote animal welfare in the laboratory environment

Obtaining accurate body weights for swine is important for calculating anesthetic drug dosages as well as an indicator used for tracking overall health. Scales used for acquiring such weights require that the pigs stand still in order to get an...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Pell, C., Armellino, K., Williams, A. et al. 2010. Swine enrichment techniques that increase efficiency and promote animal welfare in the laboratory environment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 716 (Abstract #P109).

A meta-analysis of the combined effect of housing and environmental enrichment characteristics on the behaviour and performance of pigs

To quantify the combined effect of housing conditions and environmental enrichment on the behaviour and performance of pigs, a meta-analysis was performed using information from 45 experiments in 42 published manuscripts. Multiple regression models were applied to evaluate the effects...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Averós, X., Brossard, L., Dourmad, J. et al. 2010. A meta-analysis of the combined effect of housing and environmental enrichment characteristics on the behaviour and performance of pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 127(3-4), 73-85.

Clicker training in minipigs

Clicker training minipigs provides a significant improvement in the dermal dosing procedures.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Arblaster, F. 2010. Clicker training in minipigs. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 115-118.