Effect of group composition on agonistic behavior and performance of newly mixed weaned pigs

• Autorzy: Marekova J. , Kottferova J. , Ondrasovic M. , Ondrasovicova O. , Vargova M. , Saba L. , Nowakowicz-Debek B. , Svobodova I. , Hvozdik A.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

The objective of the present study was to compare the differences and regularities in social behavior of newly mixed piglets under the conditions of large-scale commercial pig production. Three methods of grouping piglets at weaning (31-34d) into a 12-member weaned pool were studied: 6 pigs from 2 litters (6 × 2); 4 pigs from 3 litters (4 × 3); 3 pigs from 4 litters (3 × 4). Each method had three replicates and the weaned piglet body weight ranged from 7.4 up to 9.8 kg. Agonistic behavior was recorded over three observation periods: 0-1.5 h immediately after mixing; 1 h, 4-5 h later the same afternoon; 5 days later for 1 h. Both contact (head thrusting, biting and pushing) and non-contact (chasing, threatening and displacement) agonistic behavior were recorded. Contact behaviors made the most significant contribution to obtain a new dominance status in the social hierarchy and decreased significantly in frequency over time. Subsequently, the rate of non-contact behavior also declined. During the first observation period covering the crucial time for establishing dominance hierarchy, structure 4 × 3 had significantly less head thrust than 6 × 2 or 3 × 4. Generally, 4 × 3 showed a lower rate of contact behavior compared to the other two groups as well as less non-contact behavior than 3 × 4, but it was similar to 6 × 2. It appears that the 4 × 3 structure may cause less physical encounters than the other two groupings.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Medycyna Weterynaryjna
• Rocznik: 2008
• Tom: 64
• Numer: 12
• Opis fizyczny: p.1389-1392,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Marekova J.

• Department of Environment, University of Veterinary Medicine, Komenskeho 73, 041 81 Kosice, Slovak Republic

autor

Kottferova J.

autor

Ondrasovic M.

autor

Ondrasovicova O.

autor

Vargova M.

autor

Saba L.

autor

Nowakowicz-Debek B.

autor

Svobodova I.

autor

Hvozdik A.

Bibliografia

• 1.Deguchi E., Akuzawa M.: Effects of fighting after grouping on plasma cortisol concentration and lymphocyte blastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by mitogens in piglets. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 1998, 60, 149-153.
• 2.Dybkjaer L., Jacobsen A. P., Togersen F. A., Poulsen H. D.: Eating and drinking activity of newly weaned piglets: effects of individual characteristics, social mixing, and addition'of extra zinc to the feed. J. Anim. Sci. 2006, 84, 702-711.
• 3.Ekkel E. D., Savanije B., Shouten W. G., Wiegant V. M., Tielen M. J.: The effects of mixing on behavior and circadian parameters of salivary cortisol in pigs. Physiol. Behav. 1997, 62, 181-184.
• 4.Ekkel E. D., van Doorn C. E., Hessing M. J., Tielen M. J.: The Specific-Stress-Free housing system has positive effects on productivity, health, and welfare of pigs. J. Anim. Sci. 1995, 73, 1544-1551.
• 5.Fernandez X., Meunier-Salaun M. C., Mormede P.: Agonistic behavior, plasma stress hormones, and metabolites in response to dyadic encounters in domestic pigs: interrelationships and effect of dominance status. Physiol. Behav. 1994, 56, 841-847.
• 6.Horvath G., Jaczkone Jarabin I., Visnyei L.: Effects of regrouping, feeding and drinking methods on weight gain of weaned piglets. Dtsch. Tierärztl. Wschr. 2000, 107, 364-367.
• 7.Hvozdík A.: Ethological study of social behavior of pigs after negative experience in early onthogenesis. Folia Vet. 1997, 41, 131-134.
• 8.Hvozdík A., Kottferová J., Alberto S. J.: Ethological study of social behavior of pigs from the point of view of housing restriction. Arch. Tierz., Dummerstorf 2002, 45, 557-563.
• 9.Koréneková B., Skalická M., Jacková A.: Minerálne látky a životné prostredie. Informačný spravodajca KVLSR 2004, 13, 13-14.
• 10.Liorančas V., Bakutis B., Januškevičienė G.: Influence of rearing space on the behavior, performance, carcass and meat quality of pigs. Medycyna Wet. 2006, 62, 274-277.
• 11.McGlone J. J., Kelly K. W., Gaskins C. T.: Lithium and porcine aggression. J. Anim. Sci. 1981, 51, 447-455.
• 12.Meese G. B., Ewbank R.: The establishement and nature of the dominance hierarchy in the domestic pig. Anim. Behav. 1973, 21, 326-334.
• 13.Novák P., Kubíček K., Odehnal J., Beňová K.: Tvorba prostredí chovu a řesení problému vlivu chovu zvířat na životní prostředí v České republice. In Sborník referátu Tvorba mikroklímy v ustajňovacích objektoch a vplyv chovu zvierat na životné prostredie. VÚŽV Nitra 2002, 45-59.
• 14.Otten W., Puppe B., Kanitz E., Schon P. C., Stabenow B.: Effects of dominance and familiarity on behavior and plasma stress hormones in growing pigs during social confrontation. Zntbl. Vet. Med. A 1999, 46, 277-292.
• 15.Otten W., Puppe B., Kanitz E., Schon P. C., Stabenow B.: Physiological and behavioral effects of different success during social confrontation in pigs with prior dominance experience. Physiol. Behav. 2002, 75, 127-133.
• 16.Rushen J., Passille A. M., Ladwg G. J., Foxcroft G.: Effects of stress on maternal behavior in pigs. Proc. 28th Internat. Congress ISAE, Foulum, Denmark 1994, 35, 25-31.
• 17.Walczak J., Herbut E.: Behavior of growing pigs as an expression of their physiological response to different welfare levels. Proc. ISAH, Mexico 2003, p. 120-124.

Uwagi

Rekord w opracowaniu