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 (1996)

Barnett, J. L., Cronin, g. M., McCallum, T. H. et al.

Abstract

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 min after grouping in the Amperozide and Dark than the Control treatment. The Stall treatment reduced aggressive interactions (P < 0.05) around feeding. .. There was an acute stress response in the Amperozide treatment 90-165 min after grouping compared with all other treatments (0.001 < P < 0.01) and the magnitude of this stress response raises some welfare concerns on the use of amperozide. Animals in the Stall treatment showed a lower (P < 0.01) total cortisol concentration .. than animals in the other treatments and this indicates a welfare benefit from the provision of stalls.