Advances in understanding the genetics of pig behaviour

Rydhmer, Lotta

doi:10.19103/as.2020.0081.01

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…Many literatures have suggested zero covariance between production and reproduction traits (e.g., Ducos & Bidanel, 1996; Rydhmer, 1993, 2000), since the genetic correlation between production and reproduction traits have been estimated to be weak (Brien, 1986; Haley et al., 1988). For example, Ducos and Bidanel (1996) estimated a low positive genetic correlation between day at 100 kg and NBA in French Landrace and Large White.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic relationship between litter size traits at birth and body measurement and production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Ogawa

Ohnishi

Ishii

et al. 2020

Animal Science Journal

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Heritabilities of litter size traits at birth (total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA), and number still born (NSB)) and their genetic correlations with body measurement (body height, body length, front width (FW), chest width (CW), hind width, chest depth, chest girth, front cannon circumference, and rear cannon circumference) and production traits (ages at the start and end of performance testing (D30 and D105), average daily gain (ADG), backfat thickness, and loin muscle area) in purebred Duroc pigs were estimated. Records of performance testing for 2,835 animals and farrowing records of 1,168 litters from 437 dams were used. Genetic parameters were estimated using single‐trait and two‐trait animal models. Permanent environment effect was considered for litter size traits and common litter environmental effect was considered for body measurement and production traits. The estimated heritability was 0.10 ± 0.06 for TNB, 0.16 ± 0.06 for NBA, and 0.08 ± 0.05 for NSB. Positive genetic correlation of NBA was estimated with D30, D105, and ADG (0.51, 0.11, and 0.39). The estimated genetic correlation of NBA was 0.47 ± 0.17 with FW and 0.55 ± 0.18 with CW, implying that FW and CW could be promising indicator traits for efficiently improving NBA.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic relationship between litter size traits at birth and body measurement and production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Ogawa

Ohnishi

Ishii

et al. 2020

Animal Science Journal

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“…Aggressive interactions are already observed in nursing piglets, but after the teat order is established, fights and bites tend to decrease. Throughout the growing and fattening period, the fights are frequent, especially involving males [ 111 ]. Aggressive behaviours may also be frequent in group-housed gestating sows, often related to the management of dynamic groups, resource availability and access, and disputes over resting areas; fighting occurs when a new group of pregnant sows is housed, and the frequency declines as the social hierarchy are established [ 46 , 112 ].…”

Section: Sources Of Stress In Pig Farm Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Agonistic interactions resulting from social mixtures can impair the immune response of post-vaccination piglets, especially in castrated males, possibly because the stress of fights is associated with the suffering of castration [ 31 ]. Additionally, the HPA axis is activated in response to aggressive agonistic interactions, resulting in increased cortisol and impaired immune response [ 111 ]. Finally, skin lesions resulting from aggressive interaction predispose pigs to infections and AMU [ 46 ].…”

Section: Sources Of Stress In Pig Farm Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming—A Review

Albernaz-Gonçalves

Antillón

Hötzel

2022

Animals

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Preventative measures, such as biosecurity and vaccinations, are essential but not sufficient to ensure high standards of health in pig production systems. Restrictive, barren housing and many widely used management practices that cause pain and stress predispose high-performance pigs reared in intensive systems to disease. In this context, antibiotics are used as part of the infrastructure that sustains health and high levels of production in pig farms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emergency affecting human and animal health, and the use of antibiotics (AMU) in intensive livestock farming is considered an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Tackling the issue of AMR demands profound changes in AMU, e.g., reducing their use for prophylaxis and ending it for growth promotion. In support of such recommendations, we revise the link between animal welfare and AMU and argue that it is crucial to sustainably reduce AMU while ensuring that pigs can live happy lives. In support of such recommendations, we aimed to revise the link between animal welfare and AMU in pigs by analysing stress factors related to housing and management and their impact on pig welfare. In particular, we reviewed critical management practices that increase stress and, therefore, pigs’ susceptibility to disease and reduce the quality of life of pigs. We also reviewed some alternatives that can be adopted in pig farms to improve animal welfare and that go beyond the reduction in stress. By minimising environmental and management stressors, pigs can become more immunocompetent and prepared to overcome pathogenic challenges. This outcome can contribute to reducing AMU and the risk of AMR while simultaneously improving the quality of life of pigs and, ultimately, maintaining the pig industry’s social license.

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“…In the discussion to date the sow has been considered as a generic entity, however sows show individual differences in behavior and this needs to be accommodated in all systems. Behavioral traits which lead to successful offspring survival in FF systems, and have been shown to have a genetic component, include lack of aggression toward piglets, calmness or lack of fearfulness, carefulness around piglets, responsiveness to piglet distress and good nursing behavior [for review ( 76 )]. Another desirable trait in FF sows is lack of aggression toward people, since stockperson safety is an important consideration (Section Stockperson safety and time management).…”

Section: Tier 1 Stakeholder Needs and Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

et al. 2022

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There are animal welfare concerns about the continued use of permanent crating systems for farrowing and lactating sows, which is the most prevalent maternity system in global pig production. Greater societal attention in recent years has culminated in changes (or proposed changes) to regulations as well as market-driven initiatives to move away from crated systems. Transitioning from farrowing crates to systems that allow the sow greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression requires a number of key decisions, with various trade-offs apparent when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. This review discusses these decisions based on common questions asked by farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders when deciding on a new system to build/approve. Based on the latest scientific evidence and practical insight, decisions such as: whether to retrofit an existing barn or build a new one, what spatial dimensions are necessary per sow place, whether to adopt free farrowing or temporary crating, how to provide substrate/enrichment and be hygienic and environmentally friendly, and how to optimize the human inputs and transition between systems are considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a roadmap for those interested in uptake of higher welfare systems and practices, as well as to highlight areas requiring further optimization and research.

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Advances in understanding the genetics of pig behaviour

Cited by 5 publications

References 71 publications

Genetic relationship between litter size traits at birth and body measurement and production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Genetic relationship between litter size traits at birth and body measurement and production traits in purebred Duroc pigs

Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming—A Review

Transitioning from crates to free farrowing: A roadmap to navigate key decisions

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