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Understanding pig behaviour for better management

Article · January 2013

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 ; rA.
tJ

Ih Journal of the
 Contents -Volume 68 (2013)

Page No
Edtd-irl
EErIH
\_ .-q€a:e arr axnophilus pamsuis:
! :5€5€ i-3nagement approach
i--=r risis and developments with
-:-€.ta in tJK slvine popuLations i.H. Brown

i+c of a disinfectant powder on lviethicillin-resistant C- Espinosa-Congora, P. Damborg,

lJD,rrl(xoccus aurcus in pigs, bedding and dir samptes S. Saxmose Nielsen, S Cibbs, 13
J.der simulated farm conditions L. Cuardabassi
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndronre
viru5 evoLution and its effect or control l-P. Frossard
REVIEW
Why is antimicrobialresistance in pigs
not so important for public health? D.G.S Burch 27
A brref survey of pig literature in ZO12 S.H. Done 41
Salmonella in pigs as a zoonosis A Wight 50
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Update on Periweaning Failure to Thrive Syndrome (pFTS) Harding, Y. HLiang, T. O'SulLivan
J.
Wild Boar as a hazard C. Rugna, C. Meriatdi, p. I.4artelli
World wide distr;bution of Epizootic diseases
of pigs of major risk to the LJnited Kingdom A. Creshdm, H. Roberts

S.1.4 WitLiamson

CASE REPOR]

PreLrminary findjngs on the use of Multi Locus B W. StrugnetL, R.J. Eltis, J.R.Thomson,
Sequence Typing (MLST) to investigate outbreak A. Steventon, C-J.Teale, S.M.Wiltiamson, gz
of swine dysentery in Northern England H Clarke, K L. Coodyear, L.Wall
A cautionary tale ofthe three [ittte pigs and the big bad roof! C.M. Caudie, R. Reiche[, B.W Strugne[
C.A. BideweLL, S M.Wiltiamson,
Sporadic cases of multipte haemorrhages in pigs K.Whittaker, M E.Wessels,J. Barnett,
S F.E Scholes, C.M Caudie

L.A. Brunton, F A.Clifton-Hadley,

Expert opinion on Salmonetla control in pigs in the UK R. Sheehan, A. Hil[, E. Marier, 102
R.H. Davies, K. Turvey, A J.C.Cook

Pig middle ear anatomy A.D. Firdous, S. f,]aya, N. Ashok,

K.M. Lucy

Understanding pig behaviour for better management T.K Patbandha, A. Kumaresdn,

tK. Mohanty, 116
S.S. R Pathak
Antibiotic free farming is not difficult l. Carr 124

INDEX TO VOLUME 68 (2013)

140
A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS
144
NOTES AND CUIDANCE FOR CONIRIBUIORS

b
 THE PrC JOURNAL -VOLUME 68

NDINC PIC BEHAVIO TI

AI

MANACEM ENT t€
bc

T.K. PATBANDHA 'r'a ragement (LPM) Section,

A. KUMARESAN -:.:-re Karna[- 132 00',l , Haryana, lndia Pt
T.K. MOIANTV
TI
S.S LAYEK
R PATl,r< of
be

The Pig Journal (zot 3) 681 I6-123 pt,

op
h."
SUMMARY
he
Prc'' c .g : g: .r :- z ::'oe tial environment to ensure pig welfare on one hand and safe pig food products on the other.
is necessary
pig 3c- fcrt :.. ee .ssessed by observing behaviour, which varied with age of pigs, stage of growth and reproduction, production
CT'

sis:era:-sex rcxnovrifapigiscomfortableinitsworld,externaLindicationslikebehaviourneedtobeunderstoodproperly. be
The present paper dtscusses s ome aspects of the important physiological behaviour of pigs so that any deviation these normal WI
from
behaviou rs can be identified and suitable corrective management strategies can be implemented at the earliest opportunity. (H

Th
INTRODUCTION start competing with their littermates for access to teats an:
gradua[[y suckling rhythm synchronises amongst the titte-
Behaviour is descrlbed as the living organism's response to a
Piglets devetop a specific positionaI association with individu.
stimutus. The study of
behaviour encompasses atl the
teats and within three days estabIish a'teat order'or'tea
bo,

movements and sensations by which animals mediate their tTn

specificity'. ln domestic pigs, the pigtets prefer the mo_.,
retationship with their externaI environments. Ethotogy is the cor
anterior teats whilst in the wild they prefer the rear of tl=
study of the whole pattern of animaI behaviour under natural SO
udder. The preference for the anterior teat may be due tc =
conditions (Lehner, 1996), white apptied ethology is the study agi
higher sensitivity to mechanicaIstimulation during massag -_.
of domestic and captive animals in environments designed by Thr
with more flow of colostrum and proximity to the head of t--
human beings (Blackshaw, 1986).The alteration or deviation 'grunting dam' reduces the risk of crushing. The sow's h. ' 8rc
of behaviour from the normaI state reftects some pattern on the belty may direct the piglets from a posterior __ Per
managemental defects which have resulted in poor animal 15(
anterior direction. Contrary to domestic pig situation, the r., .:
welfare. AbnormaI behaviour reduces the overall efficiency
pig's rear extremity musculature provides more space wl-, :- Prg
of the piggery by reducing Iitter size, growth rate and in turn protects the pigtet from low temperature and frc* ind
reproductive performance whitst increasing piglet mortality
predators (Hurnik, 1 985; Fernandez-L[ario and Mateos-Qu = hrc
=.
MaternaI nursing behaviour directly affects the pre-weaning
2OO5; Drake eta1, 2008).
mortality, growth and weaning age in piglets Hence, the stldy
of behaviour in the domestic pig in captivity is one of the most .1
important aspects for improvement of health, productivity,
Figure - Teat order behaviour Figr

reproductive performance and welfare of pigs. This paper

discusses sequentiaI behaviour of swine during the [ife cycle
of a pig starting from piglet to farrowing. The behavioural
pattern of pigs is classified into the fo[[owing categories based
on age: a) pigtet behaviour, b) weaner and grower behaviour, c)
sexuaI behaviour of males and females, d) behaviour of the
pregnant sow and e) peri-parturient behaviour.

Piglet behaviour

Teat order or teat specificity

PigLets start exhibiting teat order or teat specificity behaviour

s:on after birth (see Figure 1). Just after farrowing, pigtets

--a
 PROCEEDINCS SECTION

The piglets with higher birth weight are dominant in nature their legs close to their body and d-- -g g---- : :::-i= ,-:,.
and show their teat order behaviour towards most cranial extend their legs away from their boc, i: -:-:=j: :--:::
teats and exhibit lower mortality and greater pre-weaning area for heat dissipation.
body weight gain (Vittigan et al., 2002).

Weaner and grower behaviour

Post- n u rsi ng p lay be h avi o u r
The pigtets are generalty weaned between 50-60 da',s : -=-
The ptay behaviour after nursing directly reflects the health birth in lndia, and in early, segregated weaning thei =-=
of pigtets and healthy pigtets show more frequent play weaned at Z1 days after birth. After weaning, litters c'
behaviour during the pre-weaning period. At the start of different sows are mixed into a new sociaI group and ffre_,
play behaviour, two piglets first orientate themselves in form a new social organisation.The sequentiaI events during
opposite directions with a stight overtapping of their socialorganisation are we[[ described by B[ackshaw (1936).
heads. They push each other from side to side with their
Soon after regrouping or mixing, the piglets start fighting
heads and shoutders and sometimes bite the face, ears and (mouth-to-neck attacks with sideways and upwards thrusts)
craniaI side of the exposed neck of other piglets. The ptay
to form a [inear dominance hierarchy. The mixing of pigtets
behaviour genera[[y starts with a few piglets and ends up
along with managementaI defects sometimes teads to
with [arge number of pigtets joining in by sociaI facilitation
abnormaI behaviour tike tait-biting.The leveI of aggression n
(Hurnik, 1985) (see Figure Z).
piglets drops dramatica[[y after one hour of mixing, and within
24hours the [inear hierarchy is established. The stable social
Th e rmo- reg u latio n of pi g lets
hierarchy is formed within two to three days after regrouping

As the piglets have a [arger surface area compared with their lf this hierarchy is not established within this period sor:.e
body weight (<'1% body weight), thermo-regulation is most managemental defect or poor animal welfare r-st ]e
important in piglets. Physiotogical thermo-regulation in piglets r:: -::-:
suspected. As a group stabitiser, social hierarchy is
:ontinues to develop during the first two weeks after birth, in husbandry practices but in a competitive en,'l--e-:
so they seek relativety warm areas and rest in close with limited resources (feed and water), it significa-:,. ="::--j
3ggregation for thermaI comfort (Wischner et al., 2009). the low ranking animals. So to guarantee a s:-]: ::: l
-he thermal microctimate in the pen is reftected by the organisation, pigs shoutd be reared in one pen f':- : --- ::
grouping pattern of pigtets. Croup dispersa[, i.e. resting at the s[aughter or shou[d be with nor'-::-.-::-: ..
provided
:eriphery of heat sources, indicates a higher temperature than - ' - r I <.:--:
environments. On the other hand, socialising c-
s comfortable near the heat source whilst aggregation of before weaning increases sociaI skitls amc^:s: - :.-: :-:
:iglets at the epicentre of the thermal zone or group huddling enables them to form stable dominance -i -'.':'-: ^.''=
-dicates a lower temperature than is necessary. During group rapidty during the post-weaning mixing ::- :: ,. :- '=..='
-.ldd[ing (see Figure 3), pigtets prefer ventraI recumbency with aggressive encounters (D'Eath, 2005)

:igure Z Post-nursing play behaviour

- Figure 3 - Huddling behaviour

117
 THE PtC JOURNAL -VOLUME 68

The thermo-regutatory behaviour of pigtets is similar for the the spiraI glans penis is todged tightty in the firrr ._-rrc
weaner and grower pig who maintain their body temperature the cervix, the semi-rotatory action of penis is s:
through the group huddting and group dispersaI methods and ejacutation commences (see Figure 5). The dura_ m
depending on the environmentaI temperature. They also ejaculation in the boar vary from three to 20 rr -r
protect themselves from hyperthermia by wallorving in mud Low sexuaI motivation or poor mating competency re
(Brake, 2011). The growing pig, before attaining sexual a low leveI of sexuat behaviour in boars. Approximate.-,
maturity, starts mounting which sometimes is alsc associated of boars are cu[[ed due to sexuaI behaviour problems :-
with ptayfut behaviour. However, managementaL ce'ects may quatity semen (Hemsworth and Titbrook, 2O0Z).
lead to abnormaImounting, which can be prever,e : i_, ]icrer
managementaI intervention. Factors affecting male sexual behaviour

Sexual behaviour ln male pigs, the sexual behaviour is influenced by :,

internaI factors (sex steroids, testosterone and oestrc.:
Male sexual behaviour and externaI forces such as genetic, seasona[, socia[, s=,
and psychologicaI factors. For eliciting and maintaining se,.
The sexual behaviour of the boar:c-]-s::::--:s-: and
behaviour, a thresho[d concentration of androgens ai:
intromission phases. During .0,-:s- I :-: --::- :ll-ra:hes
sows, produces 'grunting scr-C! :--- -:iis :he vulva
oestrogens is required and above this thresho[d,:ra

vigorousty (see Figure 4) c-e-:s ':s -a,,,s :r-ct-cing copious

concentration of the hormone has no effect in increa. q
coputatory behaviour.
saIiva and sometimes .r.i-::es --_, -^-icai,,,' (Hemsivorth and
Tilbrook, 2OO7). Brocr- a-c :-:>.- ,2!O/) reported that when The increase in sexuaI performance in crossbred boars (gre.:-l-
sexuaI interest, more mounts with a higher proportio- :r
Figure 4 - SexuaL behaviour properly oriented mounts and less time to comptete ;
mating), significantly reftects the effect of breed on sex_3
behaviour (Neety and Robison, 1983). Simitarty, the crossb-:r
boars attain earlier sexuaI maturity, exhibit greater testicu_y
weight, [arger ejaculate voIume and better semen qual -,n
The season of the year has a temporary effect on the sex_a
behaviour of the boar. These effects can be avoided :,,
allowing mating during the cooler part of day.

The sociaI effects on the sexuaI behaviour of boars is mc-=

interesting. The rearing of male pigtets individualty witho_:
visuaI or physical contact with other pigs at an early ag=
(three to 30 weeks) reduces both the courting behaviour ar:
numbers of copulations compared with att-mate or mixed se,
groups (Hemsworth and Titbrook, 2007).The sociaI restrictior:
do not directly influence sexuaI behaviour in male pigs, but :
Figure 5 - Mating behaviour is more tikety the age at which restrictions are imposed tha:
plays an important rote in sexuaI behaviour.When boars were
reared in sociaI restriction from three weeks of age, they hac
lower leve[s of sexuaI behaviour than boars reared in socia.
restriction from 12 weeks. The sexuaI behaviour of mature
boars is depressed when they are isolated from female pigs
and re-housing of isolated boars near females restored their
sexuaI behaviour within four weeks (Hemsworth et aL., 1981).
Here, the olfactory, visuaI and auditory stimulation may be
triggering the sexuaI behaviour and results in increased sperm
concentration.The sexuaI behaviour is depressed by penile and
locomotory system injuries, and is atso affected by obesity
and skeletaI defects which prevents successfuI mating
(Hemsworth and Titbrook, 2007).
 PROCEED NCS 5:CTION

Figure 6 - Oestrus behaviour

in the testis and released throug- -.. - - : -- -
-.,,,::: -':r
and saliva of the boar (Pedersen,2]C- --=::-: =: :-:E-
young gilts is advanced by matured )..- .:---=- =-:: -=
of high sexual motivation are moTe e-e- .= :: :: -- :: -
puberty in gilts than boars of lower mo:] ,3r r- -=-!,,'t--
andTilbrook, 2007).The onset of ovuLation is - .: =:,
-:- ::,: .
boar contact by triggering Luteinizing horrnc-: -- -= :::'
which sustains fo[[ic[e growth and ovulation r- ,',:=-=: .:
that have low LH release after weaning (Kemp e: ,. r-::

ln commercial piggeries,the most common meth:: r':=----

detection in femate pigs is by the back-pressure tesi :- - - -:.
test where the oestrous femates disptay'standing c- .:-::: ,l
response (figure 6).The efficiency of this method s:r-=--=:
by intense boar contact at the time of testing --: :=::--:
detection accuracy in gitts between 24 and 35 r:--. = -.,'
Fe m a Ie sex ual be h avi o u r the start of oestrus by the back-pressure test ls ^:-==:=: --
- vitd pigs, seasonality of oestrus is more common than in 90% with auditory and otfactory contact ',', :- t:.-: :- -
::nrestic pigs, where there is no such seasonaI variation. further increased to 100% with the additicr :' "

--e sexuaI behaviour of fema[e pigs has two parts i.e. tactile contact with boars.The oestrus dete:::- =::-
--cceptive behaviour (appetitive part) before standing to be
gitts by the back-pressure test in the prese-:= :'
-:unted and receptive behaviour (consumatory part) during inversely related to the distance between il-e g .-

,','ich sow is standing to be mounted.This behaviour is used increases from 52% lo 90% when the gi[t: a-=
>'l m distance to being adjacent to the boai-
'-- confirmation of oestrus in sows. As the sow approaches
Ti[brook, 2007). lrrespective of the boars se'
-:strus, there is a marked increase in sociaI activities (snout
-:rtacts, ano-genitaI sniffing, flank nosing and mounting sows show a ctear preference for certain bca- s'. -
l::ween sows), both in semi-naturaI and under confinement also show a clear preference for certain so,',.

.-,stems.The oestrus sow approaches the boar, increases the

-cunting activities, starts nosing and spends much time in a Pregnant sow behaviour
.-anding posture outside the boar pen (Pedersen,Z0OT).
As the pregnancy advances, so the so,', : =r-::
and towards the last month of pregnar:, : - ,. :
Factors affecting female sexual behaviour
with more frequent lateraI recumber:', - -- --- '
- <e male pigs, the sexuaI behaviour in sows is also influenced weeks before farrowing, the pregna-: s: ,,: :
-_. both internal (hormona[) and external factors (particutarty and situations that might cause injr--, :: --
.:ciaI stimuli). ln female pigs, the expression of sexual pregnancy, one week preceding fa":," -=
:ehaviour is under the control of oestrogen secreted from the decreases with enlarged genita.: .-:
l.owing follicles (Pedersen,2007).The sociaI stimu[i from other (Hurnik, 1985).The sows, unce- -:---:
':males or male pigs and the sociaI stress in the pig group or before farrowing) separate frcr- :-= :-- --
:dverse human behaviour also affects the sexual behaviour of nest site (Rtgers and Uvras-v',:=-= - - - -
.cws. The daity sociaI contact of femates with boars reduces
-re oestrous cycte [ength and increases the ovulation rate Peri - pa rtu ri e nt be h avi o u r
Turner et al., 1998). The physicat contact with oestrous sows
:r a boar also synchronises oestrus in othei'gilts or sows The peri-parturient beh: "

)earce and Pearce,1992).The presence of pheromones in a) pre-partum phase c. -=s

:ombination with social stimuli [ike mounting and nosing are phase or farrow'ng le-:. :

:re principaI components of synchronisation of oestrus in pig. behaviour (Hurnl<

-
93r :

Boar stimuli and female sexual behaviour N est b ui ldi ng be hav io u r

-he sexuaI behaviour in fema[e pigs is influenced main[y by Nest building is ai- i^r::-::-: 5 -- -' ""

roar pheromones (particularly 5a.-androstenone), produced and is performed ic l'l , :: s-e,:e: aia tnerrnc-

'1'19
r
l
 :.-:. :- ',-:::-j ',=:::-.::rg Dehaviourstarts 24 hours temperature the activity decreases and with a decrease i-
,="-'--=- -, -< .'. :- --= -ost intensive activitysixto 12 hours temperature there is a significant increase in rooting and nes:

- =-' ---'=-- - ;,' :- ?' 1 : slops about four hours before farrowing. buitding behaviour.
-: -:- - - .: '. 1 ::na, iour consists of two consecutive phases
"rrOn;
Farrowi ng be h avi o u r (pa rtu ri e nt phase)
"', :--- =-'=-r. ln the first phase,thesow roots and paws
-.-- .',--: a'rd digs a shattow hole. ln the second phase, she The sequentiaI events of the parturient phase of sov,s
::..::--s :arries and arranges the nesting materials along the behaviour can be divided into three phases: a) first stage c'
:i and inside the nest (see Figure 7). [abour or ditation stage, b) second stage of Labour or expu[sior
stage, and c) third stage of labour or placental stage.The firs-
Figure 7 - Nesting behaviour stage of [abour lasts one to two hours, during which the mos:
important behaviouraI signs are increased respiration rate
intervals of visibLe abdominaI straining, vigorous taiIswitching
which is sometimes associated with grunting and grinding c'
teeth. The second stage of [abour starts with vulvaI discharge
The totaL duration of second stage of labour varies from twc
to four hours (a [ongertime in gitts) and the average interva.
between expulsions of two consecutive pigtets is abou:
'l -
5 minutes. TaiI switching and abdominaI straining behaviou
are commonly observed immediately prior to expulsion of .
foetus, whilst during expulsion, she holds her breath for a fer',
seconds with a distinct spasm of her whole body. Farrowin.
mostly occurs in lateraI recumbency (93%) but occasionat[y i-
ventral recumbency (a%) or rarely in a standing position (3%
The third stage of labour always starts during the detiver,

Factors i nf lue nci ng ne st- b u i ld in g b e h avi o u r cycle. After delivery of each pigtet the ptacenta is expel,[ec
The totaI duration of parturition may extend up to four hour=
Both interna[ (endogenous) and externa[ (exogenous) stimuti after the birth of the last pigtet (Hurnik, 1935).
influence the nest buitding behaviour (Rlgers and Uvnis-
Moberg, 2007; Wischn er et al., 2OO9). The internaI endocrine P ost-p a rtu m p h ase (n u rsi ng be h avi o u r)
changes regulate the first phase of nest buitding behavlour
(site searching and hote digging), whereas, the exlernaIstimu[i The nursing behaviour of sow is divided into two phase.
such as feed-back from the nest site regulate the second The first phase is neo-nursing during early lactation.The secon:

phase of nest bui[ding behaviour i.e. materiaI oriented phase is cyclicaI nursing - also called 'established lactatior
(Hurnlk, 1985;Atgers and Uvnds-Moberg, 2007).
The nest buitding behaviour is triggered by a rise in pro[actin
leve[, induced by the decrease in progesterone and an Neo-nursing phase: Mi[k ejection occurs before completic-
increase in prostaglandin the day before farrow ng. of farrowing, so there is avaitabitity of mitk for suckling b-.
The cessation of nest building behaviour prior to parturition piglets during neo-nursing phase. During the early lactatic-
has been negatively correlated with the rise in oxytocin phase, the [eve[ of oxytocin remains high and is require:

and somatostatin leve[s but the actuaI reason of cessation for completion of litter detivery and expuLsion of foet-
is sti[[ unknown (Atgers and Uvnds-Moberg,2007; Wischner membrane and secretion of colostrum. The mitk ejectior.
ef a/., 2009). during the neo-nursing phase occur at shorter intervals wir-
higher variabitity (one milk ejection per five to 40 minutes
The second phase or materia[-oriented phase of nest buitding compared with estab[ished [actation (one mi[k ejectic-
behaviour is triggered by external stimuti tike the availabiLity per hour).
of nest materiat. lf the nest buitding materiaI is suitable, she
completes her nest very soon. However, sufficient udder CycticaI nursing phase: The cyclincal nursing phas=
comfort with a comfortable and flexible lying area in the nest (estabtished Lactation) has the nursing or mi[k ejectic-
without nesting material aPPears to promote negative occurring at regu[ar intervals (one mitk ejection per 45-6-
feedback signa[s for nest building. Further, the nest buitding minutes). The whole phase consisting of five phase.
behaviour is also influenced by season; with increase in a) assembty phase, b) nosing phase, c) slow suckting phas-'

120
\
 PROCEED INCS SECTIOI..;

Figure 8 - Nursing behaviour vice versa. The duration of posl-.=_-::,,,- -::::a -:

positively associated with future mea. s:: : .:-=,= . --: .
massaging then more milk is producea 3: -:,- -_-:
:-= ,l

The post-let-down massage of the udde- :-, ] i.=-j : -: :.

the'restaurant hypothesis' as the piglets in a .i-=- - , : _=
=
not only order their future mea[ but also the srl: :. :-: -,. -
through post-let-down massage of their'or,vn -cci- s=:-: - .

(Rtgers and Uvnds-Moberg, 2O0Z).After massagirg --i _:: :-

segment, the pigtet occasiona[[y approaches the hea: :, ..- "

and briefty produces sound in her direction oT co::3:-_s - -

head which is commonty known as'thanking of mc:-=- ::.
pigtets (Hurnik, 1 985).

Wallowing behaviour

ln pigs, wallowing is a natural behaviour, which prc:e:-- :-=-

- true suckling, and e) departure phase (Hurnik, 1995). from hyperthermia. Wallowing is commonty obse-. e: - ,,. :
-.:ernatively, the whote duration can be divided into four boar, but in current housing systems (sotid f.c:-s s -:-:
riases:a) initiation, b) pre-tet down, c) [et down and d) post- observed in domestic pigs.The pig wa[[ows for- :::. -: :: .,,:
=--down. Here, the assembly phase and nosing phase were as for skin care/grooming, heatth, sexua[ :e-
=,
-_
-- .-.., -
=-cuped into the initiation phase (Atgers and Uvnds-Moberg, predator behaviour, ptay and pleasure (Brake Zl --
:i07) (see Figure 8).
Thermo-regulation: Pigs do not possess .-,.
nitiation: Mostly, sows initiate the nursing by producing a sweat glands so they coat their body ,,., .- - -: :-- -=
:-.ricaI nursing grunt at an average of one per second which high environmental temperatures as this is :-= _- ,,:. ::
:::racts the pigtet to the udder and she lies down to expose protect them from hyperthermia. ln additi:- :__:__=-::_j
-:- udder. The pigtets also sometimes approach the sow's fat is another barrier to heat dissipatio. .-:- :-= -::.
-:der and emit a'high and or deep grunt'sound to initiate The shape of the pig body (barrel sha;- :.: -:__::j
-,rsing. The piglets, after assembting, start nosing the teats the surface to body mass ratio, so the pig l-:.=-,. : -i
_,,
:: find out the specific teat as estabtished by teat order. for cooting.

)re-tet-down: During the pre-let down phase the rate

of sows, Skin care or grooming: Cenerally, pigs --, ::: -j: : ,,:
--rsing grunts increases from one per second to two to or trees to remove unwanted materia s
-^-ee per second. The pigtets hotd the teats in their mouths body, as the larger part of their bc:. -=--_-.-= -:=:-::
,-rd starts massaging the teat, which triggers the release of for self-grooming.As mud traps deb-i :-- ]:-_::::j :: :-:
:<ytocin for milk ejection within one to three minutes, pigs remove ectoparasites tike lice, : :.j :- : -.- 1= -_-- -1
-re piglets stowly suck the teat at one suckling per sec. their rubbing and scratching The r.:: .:,.:- : _: _ t-_-:_-j :-.
-ris phase is an adaptation phase which ensures that att the skin from biting insects such as flies:-: -_::- --:: :-- : .-
:rglets of a litter are present at nursing. from sunburn.

Let-down-phase: The let-down phase is also ca[[ed the true Health: Pigs wallow during a '=,=-

'lckling phase where the rate of suckling occurs at three per

temperature, and watlow fo'-:s- :-:
;econd. During this phase the pigtets stop massaging and futty feeI pain.

-cncentrate on suckting during which they stightty putt the Anti-predator behaviour: --= :
=
-eat and [ower their ears. behaviour through sce-:-::- : -'.:i=
Post-let-down: Post-[et-down is the last but most important Play and pleasure: --: I i) -': :-.,, .',=..:,,, --_- ^z
:hase of nursing behaviour. The pigtet, after consuming mitk, summer for thermc-reg,.:: :- t-: :_i: :,- -i ,,, -::-
.:ops sucking and starts massaging the teat and this During winter thel, :oc: --c :-::< :: :: ,,,:..:,,, -.: i.-j.
ray extend for a few to several minutes.The duration of post- Also wa[lowing is positi, el_,' asso:'a::c,.,':- arirra.,,,,e.fare
:t-down massaging depends on the meal size. The longer and excessive wal.lovring ]-cicates somet:r rg is ri.rong in
-he duration of massaging indicates a sma[[er meaI size and the environment

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 THE PiC JOURNAL -VOLUME 68

Table 1 - Abnormal behaviour in pig

lron-deficiency anaemia lron supptementation

TaiI and ear biting
Lack of rooting behaviour Provision of rooting materia[ (straw)
Optimum stocking density
AnaI massaging
Lack of rooting materiats Provision of rooting material

Betly nosing and snout rubbing Lack of suckling behaviour I Avoiding earty weaning and if so then provide
I straw as rooting material
Over crowding Optimum stocking density
Cannibalism
lmprove housing system, provide farrowing
Poor housing conditions
_ _, _ clglg: 9rP.9i!_
Persistent inguinat nose thrusting lmproper re-grouping Proper regrouping
(PtNr) Lack of bedding materials Provision of bedding materia[s (straw)
lmproper re-grouping 'Proper regrouping
AbnormaI mounting
Lack of bedding materiats Provision of bedding materials
Stereotypes (sham chewing, bar
biting and chain chewing)
i Lack of foraging and exploratory behaviour Provision of rooting material

Exploratory behaviour stocking density and straw shou[d be provided as a root

material for interest and to divert pigs from develop
Ceneralty, pigs are omnivorous in nature and under free-range
abnormaI behaviour.
conditions -
during most or part of day, they exptore their
surroundings searching for food. The surroundings of the pig
are explored by rooting, sniffing, biting and chewing of various REFERE'{CE5
items (food and indigestibte items), and pigs become familiar
Algers, B. and Uvnas-Moberg, K. (2002) MaternaI behavic_
with their surroundings. The high priority exploratory in pigs. Hormones and Behaviour,52,78-85.
behaviour is rooting but under restriction they perform other
exptoratory behaviours much more (Studnitz et aL., 2OO7). Blackshaw, J.K. (1986) Notes on some topics. ln:app[ied
animaI behaviour, 2nd edn. Queensland University press
Pigs generatly perform their exploratory behaviour for two
Australia. pp 4-8.
reasons. Firstly, for finding food or an attractive place
to Iie down
(appetitive behaviour or extrinsic exploration) Secondly, they Bracke, (2011) Review of waltowing in pigs:
N4 8.N1.

gather general information on thelr surroundings (cal[ed Description of the behaviour and its motivationaI basis
intrinsic exploration). ( Wood-Cush and Vestergaard 1989) Apptied Animal Behaviour Science, 132,1-13.

Abnormal behaviour Broom, D M. and Fraser, A.F. (2002) Domestic animal

behaviour and wetfare, 4th edition. CAB lnternational,
The change in the environment of the pigs sometimes [eac's Wallingford, Cambridge University press, UK. pp.Z35-Z:-
to deviation in expression of normaL behaviour (abnormal
behaviour). The most common abnormal behavtours in p gs D'Eath, R.B. (2005) Sociatising piglets before weaning
are presented in Table 'l (Broom and Fraser, 2OOZ). improves sociaI hierarchy formation when pigs are
mixed post-weaning. Apptied AnimaI Behaviour Scien:=

c0[de ,-LJ5toN 93,199-211.

With growing concern over welfare issues in raising animals in Drake, A., Fraser, D. and Weary, D.M. (2008) parent-off.: - -:
the present decade, understanding naturaI behaviour is of great re-source altocation in domestic pigs. BehaviouraI Eco.:= .-
interest. ln pig husbandry practices, much emphasis should Sociobio[ogy, 62, 309-319.
be given towards the managementaI aspects that enable
Fernandez-Ltario, P. and Mateos-euesada, p. (ZOO5) _ : ,.
and enhance the expression of naturaI behaviour by pigs. preference in witd boar pigtets. Acta Ethotogica, 8, -
5 -_::
This approach wi[[ ensure the production, reproduction, heatth
of pigs along with proper welfare. ln intensive rearing systems Hemsworth, P.H. and Tilbrook, A.J. (2002) Sexuai be- = : .

abnormal behaviour can be reduced by providing proper of mate pigs. Hormones and Behaviour,52,39-44

'22
 PROCEEDINCS SECTION

Hemsworth, P.H.,Winfietd, C.C. and Chamtey,W.A. (1981)

The influence of the presence of the female on the sexual
behaviour and plasma testosterone levels of the mature
mate pig. AnimaI Production ,32,61-65.

Hurnik, J.F. (1985) A Review of periparturient behaviour in

swine. Canadian JournaI of AnimaI Science, 65,777-788.

Kemp, B., Soede, N.M. and Langendijk, P. (2005) Effects of

boar contact and housing conditions on Oestrus expression
in sows. Theriogeno[ogy, 63, 643-656.

Lehner, P.N. (1996) lntroduction. ln: Handbook of ethologicaI

method,Znd edition. Cambridge University press, UK. pp. 1-13.

Mittigana, B.N., Fraser, D. and Kramera, D.L. (2002)Within-

litter birth weight variation in the domestic pig and its
relation to pre-weaning surviva[, weight gain, and variation in
weaning weights. Livestock Production Science, 76, 181-191.

Neety, J.D. and Robison, O.W. (19S3) Estimates of

Heterosis for SexuaIActivity in Boars. Journal of AnimaI
Science, 56, 1 033- 1 038.

Pearce, C.P. and Pearce, A.N. (1992) Contact with a sow in

oestrus or a mature boar stimulates the onset of oestrus in
weaned sows.Veterinary Record, 1 30, 5-9.

Pedersen, L.J. (2007) Sexua[ behaviour in femate pigs.

Hormones and Behaviou r, 52, 64-69.

Studnitz, M., Jensen, M.B. and Pedersen, L.J. (2007) Why do

pigs root and in what will they root? A review on the
exploratory behaviour of pigs in relation to environmental
enrichment. Apptied Anima[ Behaviour Science, 107, 183-197.

Turner,A.l., Hemsworth, P.H., Hughes, P.E., Canny, B.J.M. and

Tilbrook, A.J. (1998) The effect of repeated boar exposure on
cortisoI secretion and reproduction in gilts.Animal
Reproduction Science, 51, 1 43-1 54.

Wischner, D., Kemper, N. and Krieter, J. (2009) Nest-buitding

behaviour in sows and consequences for pig husbandry.
Livestock Science, 124, 1-8.

Wood-C ush, D.C. M., Vestergaard, K.S. (1 989) Exptoratory

behaviour and the wetfare of intensively kept animals.
Jou rnaI of Agricu ltu raI Eth ics, 2, 161-169.

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