Pig

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.

Effects of environmental enrichment and loose housing of lactating sows on piglet behaviour before and after weaning

Weaning of piglets in commercial husbandry systems is earlier and more abrupt than would happen under natural conditions, resulting in low feed intakes and health and welfare problems in the immediate postweaning period. Piglets in commercial systems generally have limited...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Oostindjer, M., van den Brand, H., Kemp, B. et al. 2011. Effects of environmental enrichment and loose housing of lactating sows on piglet behaviour before and after weaning. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134(1-2), 31-41 .

The use of enrichment to facilitate data collection in a pig study

Recently a researcher approached our large animal facility manager about housing 19, 2-mo-old piglets and assisting with data collection. Part of the protocol required that the piglets be fed an individually measured high-sugar/high-fat diet over a period of 16 wk....

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Neubauer, T., Betts, T., Evans, C. 2011. The use of enrichment to facilitate data collection in a pig study. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 762-763 (Abstract #P80).

Swine enrichment

In this review, swine behavior and various methods of enrichment are discussed. The review is based on both published journal articles and anecdotal successful enrichment methods that were shared recently on CompMed Listserve.

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Miller, S. 2011. Swine enrichment. Enrichment Record 6, 10-13.

Comparison of pig behaviour when given a sequence of enrichment objects or a chain continuously

Tail biting is a major problem in modern pig (Sus scrofa) production and results in a reduction of animal welfare and productive performance. Biting behaviour has been shown to be decreased by the use of enrichment objects. In this study,...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Van de Perre, V., Driessen, B., Van Thielen, J. et al. 2011. Comparison of pig behaviour when given a sequence of enrichment objects or a chain continuously. Animal Welfare 20(4), 641-649.