Behavioural, endocrine and immune consequences of mixing in weaned piglets (2004)

Merlot, E., Meunier-Salaün, M.-C., Prunier, A.

Abstract

Mixing piglets at weaning increases plasma cortisol concentrations and agonistic behaviour. In contrast to what is observed in older pigs, studies failed to show any effect of social environment on other behavioural variables or on immune function. The lack of effect of mixing may not reflect an absence of stress, but rather the fact that the physiological effects of social reorganisation are masked by the much more important effects of diet change. .. These results suggest that social reorganisation could be stressful for weaned pigs. However, piglets seem to develop behavioural strategies, which could explain the absence of long-term endocrine and immune consequences of mixing.