Effect of Different Environment Enrichments on Behaviour and Social Interactions in Growing Pigs

Abstract

(1) Background: Pigs are active animals that require a suitable environment to be able to express their exploratory behaviour. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different environmental enrichments on the behaviour, social interactions, salivary cortisol concentration and body weight of pigs during the growing phase. (2) Methods: The investigation involved 75 pigs divided into three groups. The environmental enrichments were arranged as follows: Hanging metal chains for the control group; hanging metal chains and hanging logs for the second group; hanging metal chains and logs laying on the floor for the third group. Each group was video recorded twice a week for six weeks. The scan sampling technique was used. Salivary cortisol and live body weight were also recorded regularly. Parametric (ANOVA) and non-parametric statistics were used to analyse the data. (3) Results: Hanging logs were found to be more effective than logs laying on the floor at reducing aggression within the group tested, resulting in a more comfortable environment. Salivary cortisol concentration and growth did not show significant differences between the three groups. (4) Conclusions: The use of hanging logs affected some interactive patterns that resulted in decreasing the aggressive episodes of pigs, thereby providing a more comfortable environment.

Providing Effective Environmental Enrichment to Pigs: How Far Have We Come?

“…These objects do not meet the needs of pigs (as defined above) and can pose a hazard as they are unsafe (e.g., ingestible metal parts in car tyres [35]). Many studies have confirmed that objects such as chains, plastic pipes and balls or car tyres should not be recommended for long-term use, as they are not effective enrichment (e.g., [87,88]), do not meet the criteria of effectiveness and can quickly lose their novelty factor [1]. Composite objects are also often provided, e.g., by adding balls, pipes or pieces of hard wood to a metal chain.…”

“…It remains unclear whether pigs are deterred by soiled enrichment objects, an issue first raised by Blackshaw et al [91]. Recent studies confirm lower interaction with logs presented on the floor, versus a hanging log, possibly caused by soiling with faeces [87]. However, the study on this issue by [96] found that cleaning (plastic and rubber) objects did not affect the pigs’ interaction with them.…”

“…There are many aspects to consider with regards to optimal renewal or replacement rates, as long as the enrichment continues to provide meaningful reinforcement, it will retain enrichment value [17]. The risk of an object not retaining its enrichment value is illustrated by the pigs in a study by [87] who lost interest in non-effective enrichment objects (poplar wooden logs presented on chains or on the floor) quickly over a period of 6 weeks, whereas levels of tail and ear biting stayed at similar levels, thus increasing the risk of a tail-biting outbreak at some point.…”

Tail Docking of Piglets 1: Stress Response of Piglets to Tail Docking

“…In Australia, the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs recommends that tail docking be avoided wherever possible. Where tail biting is a problem, all areas of the environment, feeding and management should be investigated to identify contributing factors so that remedial action can be taken, e.g., provision of enrichment to reduce tail biting behaviour [6], and, where tail docking is practiced as a preventative measure, it should be conducted before seven days of age. The EU Council Directive 2008/120/EC prohibits routine tail docking, but the practice is still widely used in many member states.…”

Environmentally enriched housing conditions affect pig welfare, immune system and gut microbiota in early life

“…psychosocial stress has been considered as an important risk factor driving gastrointestinal pathophysiology and disease susceptibility [3][4][5]. Recently, animal welfare has become of increasing concern to the swine industry as well as the general public [2], and the urgency for a reduction in the use of antibiotics in livestock has become evident with the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance [6][7][8]. Therefore, effective environmental enrichments in the farm, such as larger spaces, and the provision of rooting substrates, has been proposed as a potential strategy to improve pig welfare, as well as health.…”