The effect of providing shredded paper or ropes to piglets infarrowing crates on their behaviour and health and the behaviourand health of their dams (2006)

Lewisa, E., Boylea, L. A., O'Doherty, J. V. et al.

Abstract

On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions (P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions (P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets (P < 0.01). PAPER piglets spent less time inactive (P < 0.01), less time exploring the pen-fittings (P < 0.01) and more time interacting with the enriching substrate (P < 0.001) than piglets in the other two treatments. In the first 5 min in the novel arena BARREN piglets froze more than PAPER and ROPE piglets (P = 0.05). .. In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the farrowing crates.