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Behavioral Characteristics of Weaned Piglets Mixed in Different Groups
Hyun-Su Hwang1, Jae-Kang Lee1, Tae-Kyung Eom1
1School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
|March 9, 2016
Summary
Mixing piglets from different litters increases their activity and aggression. Keeping littermates together reduces agonistic behavior in weaned pigs, improving animal welfare in swine production.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior
- Swine production
- Animal welfare
Background:
- Understanding piglet behavior post-weaning and mixing is crucial for swine production.
- Social mixing can induce stress and alter behavior in young pigs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate behavioral changes in weaned piglets after mixing with littermates versus foreign piglets.
- To assess the impact of social grouping on piglet activity and aggression over time.
Main Methods:
- Observation of 72 weaned piglets housed in groups of 6.
- Video recording for 9 hours daily on days 1, 2, and 3 post-mixing.
- Comparison of behavior between littermate and mixed-litter groups under controlled temperature (28°C±1°C).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in piglet behavior were observed across days post-mixing.
- Piglets housed with foreign piglets exhibited higher activity levels.
- Increased aggressive and agonistic behaviors were noted in mixed-litter groups.
Conclusions:
- Social mixing of weaned piglets impacts their behavior, increasing activity and aggression.
- Housing piglets with familiar littermates minimizes agonistic behavior, suggesting improved welfare.
- These findings are vital for optimizing housing strategies in swine production.
