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Is There a Link between Suckling and Manipulation Behavior during Rearing in Pigs?
Friederike K Warns1, Mehmet Gültas2,3,4, Astrid L van Asten5
1Department of Animal Science, Ecology of Livestock Production, University of Goettingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|April 30, 2021
Summary
Pigs may tail bite when lacking oral manipulation opportunities. Submissive piglets, particularly those with lower dominance, were more prone to tail biting during the rearing period.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Veterinary Science
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Inadequate oral manipulation behaviors in pigs can lead to misdirected behaviors such as tail biting.
- Tail biting is a significant welfare issue in weaner pigs, impacting health and productivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze manipulation behaviors in weaner pigs, focusing on tail biting.
- To investigate the relationship between tail biting and agonistic characteristics during suckling.
Main Methods:
- Individual manipulation behavior of 188 weaner pigs was analyzed.
- Correlations were estimated between weaning weight, rearing behaviors, and dominance/social tension indices.
- Principal component and cluster analyses identified piglet behavioral groups.
Main Results:
- Tail biting incidence increased mid-to-late rearing, with shifting roles of perpetrators and victims.
- Tail lesions correlated with received tail biting but appeared with a delay.
- Tail biting frequency was linked to a higher dominance index and weaning weight.
Conclusions:
- Tail biting may be more prevalent in pigs exhibiting submissive behaviors during teat disputes.
- Understanding piglet social dynamics is crucial for mitigating tail biting.
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