Behavioural responses affecting gilt and sow reproduction

Area of Science:

• Animal Behaviour and Reproduction
• Swine Husbandry and Management
• Animal Physiology

Background:

• Behavioural responses in animals can directly influence reproductive success or indirectly lead to adverse physiological effects.
• Boar presence is known to affect various female pig behaviours crucial for productivity, including oestrus onset and ovarian activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the direct and indirect effects of boar contact, housing conditions, and human interaction on female pig reproductive behaviours and productivity.
• To analyze how environmental factors like group size, space allowance, and housing systems influence reproductive efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on the effects of boar contact, housing systems, group size, space allowance, and human interaction on female pig reproduction.
• Analysis of behavioural observations and physiological responses related to reproductive performance in different management scenarios.

Main Results:

• Boar contact effectively stimulates oestrus in weaned sows and maintains ovarian activity in gilts, but continuous exposure can reduce oestrus detection efficiency.
• Suboptimal housing conditions, such as limited space (1 m²/animal) and extreme group sizes, can adversely affect oestrus detection, likely through chronic stress.
• Human contact has indirect effects on reproduction, primarily mediated by stress responses to fear, influenced by stockperson behaviour.

Conclusions:

• Strategic boar contact is beneficial for stimulating reproductive behaviours in female pigs.
• Environmental factors and human interaction significantly influence reproductive efficiency, often indirectly through physiological stress responses.
• Optimizing housing conditions, including appropriate space allowance and group size, is crucial for mitigating stress and enhancing reproductive outcomes in swine.