Does Diversity Matter? Behavioural Differences between Piglets Given Diverse or Similar Forms of Enrichment Pre-Weaning

Abstract

This study investigated the behavioural effects of providing different enrichment materials to suckling piglets from 7 days-old until weaning. One object was attached to the pen wall (WALL), and the other was suspended in the middle of the pen (MID). Control group had the hessian fabric in both locations, and the two diverse groups had hessian and bamboo stick in alternate locations (i.e., BMID-HWALL and HMID-BWALL). Piglets behaviour was recorded on D0 (object introduction), D1, D5, D8, D12, and D14; at weaning and 1, 3, 5 and 15 days after. Groups did not differ in approaching or interacting with objects on D0. MID objects attracted more attention than WALL objects (p < 0.01). Piglets interacted more with hessian than bamboo (p < 0.001). They performed more oral manipulation and shaking with hessian (p < 0.001), but more pushing of bamboo (p < 0.001). Interactions with objects increased with time (p < 0.001), especially with hessian (p < 0.01), while interest in bamboo remained unchanged. Control piglets performed more biting than piglets with diverse enrichment (pooled data), both pre- and post-weaning (p < 0.05). Therefore, providing different types of enrichment material can reduce biting behaviour pre- and post-weaning. Hessian was favoured, possibly because this was easier to bite and shake, which were the behaviours most often observed.

Welfare of pigs on farm

“…Telkänranta et al (2014b) recorded tail damage in weaned piglets in week 9 after birth and reported that severe tail damage (part of tail missing or wounds with inflammation) was significantly less prevalent in pigs that had access to paper and ropes as enrichment materials before weaning. In line with this, Schmitt et al (2020) observed that piglets provided with diverse enrichment (one piece of hessian and one bamboo stick) during the lactation period performed less biting (chewing or biting the tail, ear or snout of another pig) in the first 2 weeks after weaning than piglets with access to one type of enrichment material only (two pieces of hessian fabric).…”

“…In line with this, Schmitt et al. (2020) observed that piglets provided with diverse enrichment (one piece of hessian and one bamboo stick) during the lactation period performed less biting (chewing or biting the tail, ear or snout of another pig) in the first 2 weeks after weaning than piglets with access to one type of enrichment material only (two pieces of hessian fabric).…”

The Evidence for a Causal Link Between Disease and Damaging Behavior in Pigs

“…Another hypothesis is that pig behavior causes trauma to the ears providing a point of entry for bacteria to set up infection and subsequently ear necrosis [ (294,295) cited by (167)]. Young piglets already perform seemingly non-injurious ear directed behavior in commercial systems [e.g., (296)(297)(298)]. Such behavior could be a precursor to DB and therefore causative in the development of ear necrosis.…”

Compressed Brown Algae as a Potential Environmental Enrichment Material in Growing Pigs

“…Sisal rope arouses pig interest [ 15 , 16 ] more than a metal chain [ 17 ] and decreases penmate manipulation [ 18 ]. Hessian sack, also easy to bite and shake, commonly used for sows before farrowing, are also well used by young pigs and reduce damaging behaviors [ 19 , 20 ]. Wooden briquettes given to weaned pigs did not give better results on welfare indicators than a metal chain [ 21 ].…”