Relationship between rooting behaviour and foraging in growing pigs (2002)

Beattie, V. E., O'Connell, N. E. O.

Abstract

Rooting behaviour appears to be a behavioural need that is performed irrespectively of feeding level or nutritive feedback. This suggests that a suitable rooting substrate should be provided even for pigs which are fed ad libitum. The provision of a rooting substate may be even more important for animals on restrictive feeding regimes, which are likely to show increased levels of rooting behaviour.