Abstract
The objective was to compare the behavior of loose-housed outdoor litters that had one or more piglet mortalities (CR; n=4) compared to litters where no mortalities occurred (NC; n=4). The litter of piglets was observed using 10-min scan samples over 72 h from birth and individual piglets were continually observed 1 h prior to death. Postures, nursing, unknown, location within the hut, and vicinity to the sow were determined. There were no differences observed for any measures 1 h before a piglet's death. There were no differences for treatment or day by treatment over the 72 h for behaviors or vicinity to sow. There was a day effect with piglets becoming more inactive and nursing less often from d1 to d3. There was a day effect for vicinity to sow with piglets spending less time by the sow over the 3 d. Few behavioral differences were observed between treatments.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 53-58 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica A: Animal Sciences |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2009 |
Keywords
- Behavior
- Farrowing hut
- Outdoor
- Piglets