Behavioural development of pigs with different coping characteristics in barren and substrate-enriched housing conditions (2005)

Bolhuis, E. J., Schouten, W. G. P., Schrama, J. W. et al.

Abstract

Housing environment markedly influenced behaviour of pigs. Barren housed pigs were less active, showed less explorative and play behaviour, and spent more time on oral activities directed at pen mates than pigs from enriched housing. HR [high-resisting] pigs showed more aggressive behaviour than LR [low-resisting] pigs and they tended to be less active in both environments. LR pigs spent more time on manipulating pen mates, in particular in barren housing. In addition, they played more than HR pigs in enriched pens. In conclusion, an enriched housing environment, i.e. availability of straw bedding, appeared to improve welfare as it increased play behaviour and decreased manipulative oral behaviour directed at pen mates in comparison with barren housing conditions.