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Emotionality in growing pigs: is the open field a valid test?
Ramona D Donald1, Susan D Healy, Alistair B Lawrence
1Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Sustainable Livestock Systems, SAC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK. ramona.donald@sac.ac.uk
Physiology & Behavior
|June 14, 2011
Summary
Assessing pig emotionality is crucial for animal welfare. This study validated open-field tests, finding behavioral measures sensitive to drug, social, and novelty manipulations, reflecting underlying emotional states.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Welfare Science
- Ethology
Background:
- Validating behavioral tests for farm animal emotionality is essential for welfare research.
- Few validated tests exist for assessing pig emotionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the construct validity of behavioral measures of pig emotionality in an open-field test.
- To determine if behavioral responses are sensitive to pharmacological, social, and novelty manipulations.
Main Methods:
- Pigs underwent open-field tests with three experience manipulations: pharmacological (Azaperone), social (familiar companion), and novelty (repeat exposure).
- Behavioral data were collected and analyzed using principal component analysis.
Main Results:
- Pharmacological manipulation (Azaperone) increased activity, exploration, and reduced vocalization, suggesting reduced fear.
- Social exposure led to increased exploration and reduced idle time, but to a lesser extent than pharmacological treatment.
- Repeat exposure to the arena decreased activity and exploration, indicating habituation and altered emotional response form.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral measures in the open-field test are sensitive to prior experiences, reflecting underlying pig emotionality.
- Open-field tests provide a valid tool for assessing pig emotionality and welfare.
