Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-fvjsw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-15T21:19:29.431Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Development of some behaviour patterns in piglets under semi-natural conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. C. Newberry and
D. G. M. Wood-Gush
R. C. Newberry
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
D. G. M. Wood-Gush
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG
Get access

Abstract

A study was made of the behavioural development of domestic piglets living in a spacious, ecologically and socially diverse environment. The effects of age and sex of piglet on the frequencies of 30 behaviour patterns over the period from birth to 14 weeks of age were examined through focal animal sampling of 35 piglets from six litters. It was found that the frequencies of lying and standing in contact with other pigs declined significantly with age while walking, wagging the tail, sniffing the ground and the biting of objects increased with age (P < 0·05). Trotting, scampering and circling with other piglets were most frequent between 2 and 6 weeks of age. The frequencies of shaking the head, ‘quacking’, rooting, shovelling, and chewing at, and shoving, other pigs also varied significantly with age. Females wagged their tails more frequently than males whereas males circled, shoved and mounted more frequently than females (P < 0·05). Results are discussed with reference to the behaviour of young pigs kept under intensive housing conditions.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 46 , Issue 1 , February 1988, pp. 103 - 109
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1988

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

REFERENCES

Dobao, M. T., Rodrkianez, J. and Silio, L. 1984/1985. Choice of companions in social play in piglets. Applied Animal Ethology 13: 259–266.Google Scholar
Frādich, H. 1974. A comparison of behaviour in th e Suidae. In The Behaviour of Ungulates and its Relation to Management (ed. Geist, V. and Walther, F.), pp. 133–143. I.U.C.N. Publications, Morges, Switzerland.Google Scholar
Fraser, D. 1978. Observations on the behavioural development of suckling and early-weaned piglets during the first six weeks after birth. Animal Behaviour 26: 22–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fraser, D. 1984. The role of behaviour in swine production: a review of research. Applied Animal Ethology 11: 317–339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hutton, R. C. M. 1983. The development of social behaviour in piglets. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Edinburgh.Google Scholar
Jeppesen, L. E. 1980. The behaviour of piglets reared on an artificial sow. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Cambridge.Google Scholar
Martin, P. and Bateson, P. 1986. Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide. Cambridge University Press, London.Google Scholar
Newberry, R. C. and Wood-gush, D. G. M. 1985. The suckling behaviour of domestic pigs in a semi-natural environment. Behaviour 95: 11–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Newberry, R. C. and Wood-gush, D. G. M. 1986. Social relationships of piglets in a semi-natural environment. Animal Behaviour 34: 1311–1318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Perrin, W. R. and Bowland, J. P. 1977. Effects of enforced exercise on the incidence of leg weakness in growing boars. Canadian Journal of Animal Sciences 57: 245–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sainsbury, D. 1986. Farm Animal Welfare, Cattle, Pigs and Poultry. Collins, London.Google Scholar
Stolba, A. 1981. A family system in enriched pens as a novel method of pig housing. In Alternatives to Intensive Housing Systems, pp. 52–67. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar.Google Scholar
Van putten, G. and Dammers, J. 1976. A comparative study of th e well-being of piglets reared conventionally and in cages. Applied Animal Ethology 2: 339–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whatson, T. S. and Bertram, J. M. 1983. Some observations on mother-infant interactions in pigs (Sus scrofa). Applied Animal Ethology 9: 253–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wood-gush, D. G. M. and Beilharz, R. G. 1983. The enrichment of a bare environment for animals in confined conditions. Applied Animal Ethology 10: 209–217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar