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Ko HL, Manteca X, Llonch P. Consistency of convenience sampling order and its association with response to handling and weaning in domestic pigs (Sus scrofa). J Vet Behav 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Crone C, Caldara FR, Martins R, de Oliveira GF, Marcon AV, Garcia RG, Dos Santos LS, Almeida Paz ICL, Lippi ICDC, Burbarelli MFDC. Environmental Enrichment for Pig welfare during Transport. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2021:1-11. [PMID: 34597192 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.1983725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effects of environmental enrichment for pigs during transportation in different phases of their productive cycle. Two trials were conducted, the first during transportation of pigs from the piglet production unit (PPU) to the nursery (n = 250) and the second during the transportation of nonhuman animals from the finishing unit (FU) to the slaughterhouse (n = 120). This work was an observational study with five environmental enrichments: Control - no enrichment; object - use of enrichment objects in the truck; aroma - use of lavender aroma in the truck; music - music in the truck; and vehicle sound. Animal behavior during transportation, respiratory rate, skin surface temperature, and skin lesion score were assessed. Piglets from the treatment music had the lowest frequency of agonistic behaviors during transportation from the farrowing to the nursery and lower skin temperature after transportation. Piglets from the control had the highest respiratory rate prior to transportation. Pigs familiarized with vehicle noises spent most of their time lying during the trip to the slaughterhouse. The creation of a familiar environment to pigs seems promising in enhancing animal well-being during transportation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Crone
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renata Martins
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Adila Vasconcelos Marcon
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia
- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Dourados, Mato Grosso Do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luan Sousa Dos Santos
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Science, São Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ipema AF, Bokkers EAM, Gerrits WJJ, Kemp B, Bolhuis JE. Providing live black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) improves welfare while maintaining performance of piglets post-weaning. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7371. [PMID: 33795772 PMCID: PMC8016837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
During weaning, piglets experience concurrent social, physical, and nutritional stressors. Consequently, piglets often have poor feed intake and display increased oral manipulative behaviours post-weaning, indicative of compromised welfare. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) possess many attractive properties for pigs and could therefore function as effective edible enrichment, potentially alleviating weaning stress by facilitating exploration and promoting feed intake. In this study, pairs of piglets received a small amount of either live BSFL or wood shavings (8 pens/treatment) scattered throughout the pen twice a day for 11 days after weaning. Home-pen behaviour was scored by instantaneous scan sampling on day 2, 5 and 8, and behavioural responses to a novel environment and novel object were scored on day 10/11. Performance-related parameters were observed regularly. Larvae provisioning increased floor-directed exploration and decreased object-directed exploration, pig-directed oral manipulation, fighting and eating of pellets, and reduced neophobia towards a novel object. Pellet intake was significantly decreased by BSFL provisioning during day 4-11 post-weaning, although feed and net energy intake including BSFL never differed between treatments. BSFL provisioning did not influence piglet growth, feed efficiency, energy efficiency, and faecal consistency. To conclude, live BSFL provisioning positively affected post-weaning piglet behaviour while maintaining performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson F Ipema
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Eddie A M Bokkers
- Animal Production Systems Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Walter J J Gerrits
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bas Kemp
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - J Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Henriksen BI, Møller SH, Malmkvist J. Test of temperament in mink is influenced by a shelf in the front of the cage and the stimulus size rather than by features of the test person. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Luna D, Carrasco C, Álvarez D, González C, Egaña JI, Figueroa J. Exploring Anhedonia in Kennelled Dogs: Could Coping Styles Affect Hedonic Preferences for Sweet and Umami Flavours? Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112087. [PMID: 33187104 PMCID: PMC7696099 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Kennelled dogs are susceptible to suffer chronic stress when social interactions with conspecifics and spatial needs are long-term restricted. Chronic stress may affect pleasure perception of food and solutions in dogs as observed in several animals, a phenomenon known as anhedonia. However, little information exists on how different coping styles could prevent the onset of anhedonia. Fourteen kennelled Beagle dogs were used to study the acceptability and preference for different dilute palatable sucrose and monosodium glutamate (MSG) solutions. Coping style of animals was previously evaluated through a modified human-approach test. This test consisted in assessing whether or not dogs approached an unfamiliar human when a feeding opportunity was presented, classifying them as close dogs (CD; proactive) or distant dogs (DD; reactive) respectively. It was observed that DD presented a lower intake of both sucrose and MSG dilute solutions compared with CD. Moreover, DD exhibited a higher consumption of MSG than CD at the highest concentrations, supporting that their intake depends on solution palatability. Finally, DD did not prefer sucrose or MSG solutions over water at any dilute solution offered. Together, these results suggest that dogs that are categorized as reactive animals could diminish their ability to perceive dilute palatable solutions reflecting depressive-like behaviours such as anhedonia. Abstract Kennelled dogs are at risk of suffering chronic stress due to long-term spatial, social and feeding restrictions. Chronic stress may decrease the dogs’ capacity to feel pleasure when facing hedonic experiences, modifying their perception for palatable ingredients. However, different abilities to cope with environmental stressors could prevent the onset of anhedonia. Fourteen kennelled Beagle dogs were used to study the acceptability and preference for different dilute sucrose and monosodium glutamate (MSG) solutions. Coping style of animals was previously evaluated through a human approach test (HAT) and classified as close dogs (CD; proactive) or distant dogs (DD; reactive) according to whether or not they approached an unfamiliar human when a feeding opportunity was presented. Consumption results were analysed taking into account the sucrose/MSG concentrations, HAT (CD or DD), age, and weight of the animals. DD presented a lower intake of sucrose (p = 0.041) and MSG (p = 0.069) solutions compared with CD. However, DD exhibited a higher consumption of MSG than CD at its highest concentrations, supporting that their intake depends on solution palatability. Finally, DD did not prefer sucrose or MSG solutions over water at any dilute solution offered. Together, these results suggest that dogs that are categorized as reactive animals could diminish their ability to perceive dilute palatable solutions, reflecting depressive-like behaviours as anhedonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Luna
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Macul, Santiago 7820436, Chile;
| | - Carolina Carrasco
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, Chile; (C.C.); (D.Á.); (C.G.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Daniela Álvarez
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, Chile; (C.C.); (D.Á.); (C.G.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Catalina González
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, Chile; (C.C.); (D.Á.); (C.G.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Juan Ignacio Egaña
- Departamento de Fomento de la Producción Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Universidad de Chile, Santa Rosa 11735, La Pintana, Santiago 8820000, Chile; (C.C.); (D.Á.); (C.G.); (J.I.E.)
| | - Jaime Figueroa
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Macul, Santiago 7820436, Chile;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-223-544-092
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Wegner B, Spiekermeier I, Nienhoff H, Große-Kleimann J, Rohn K, Meyer H, Plate H, Gerhardy H, Kreienbrock L, Beilage EG, Kemper N. Application of the voluntary human approach test on commercial pig fattening farms: a meaningful tool? Porcine Health Manag 2020; 6:19. [PMID: 32832096 PMCID: PMC7422426 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-020-00158-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A Voluntary Human Approach Test (VHAT) was performed in pig pens, and relationships between environmental conditions and welfare indicators were investigated. Five variables were measured in 1668 pens in 214 fattening pig herds in Germany: time until the first contact (touching) between a pig and the person in the pen (TUFC), time until the observer was surrounded by pigs within a radius of approximately two meters, percentage of pigs relative to group size [%] surrounding the observer after 1 min (PPSO), percentage of pigs relative to group size [%] that completely avoided contact with the observer during the entire test period, and how the pigs contacted the observer (Score 0 [no touching] - 3 [biting]). Furthermore, variables indicative of the pigs' environment (e.g., feeding system, ventilation system), management (e.g., number of usable drinkers, number of usable manipulatable materials), and welfare (e.g., tail lesions, ear lesions) were documented. RESULTS Pigs engaging in more forceful means of contact (nibbling, biting) approached the observer faster than those exhibiting more gentle types of contact (touching). A lower TUFC was associated with more manipulatable materials present, a higher number of drinkers, and with the control position of the caretaker located inside the pen. Pigs kept in larger groups showed a lower TUFC than those in smaller groups (P = 0.0191). However, PPSO was lower in pigs kept in smaller groups (1-12 pigs per pen) with more manipulatable materials available. In groups with low PPSOs, more tail lesions were observed (P = 0.0296). No relationship between contact type and tail or ear injuries was detected. In younger pigs, PPSO was higher (49.9 ± 23.2%) than for animals in the second half of the fattening period (45.1 ± 19.9%). CONCLUSIONS In this on-farm study, the relationships between VHAT behavior and environmental factors revealed that external factors (e.g., management practices, housing conditions) impact animals' responses to this behavioral test. Therefore, using the VHAT as an animal welfare indicator is valid only if these variables are studied as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Wegner
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hanover, Germany
| | - Ines Spiekermeier
- Swine Health Service, Chamber of Agriculture in Lower Saxony, D-26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Nienhoff
- Swine Health Service, Chamber of Agriculture in Lower Saxony, D-26121 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Julia Große-Kleimann
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Karl Rohn
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30559 Hanover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Lothar Kreienbrock
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30559 Hanover, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Grosse Beilage
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-49456 Bakum, Germany
| | - Nicole Kemper
- Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, D-30173 Hanover, Germany
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Krugmann KL, Mieloch FJ, Krieter J, Czycholl I. Investigation of influence of growing pigs' positive affective state on behavioral and physiological parameters using structural equation modeling. J Anim Sci 2020; 98:5718043. [PMID: 31999319 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the primarily positive affective state of fattening pigs influences various behavioral and physiological parameters such as the pigs' playing behavior, way of behaving in behavioral tests, body language signals, or diameter, and astroglia cell numbers of hippocampi, salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) content, or salivary protein composition. Additionally, the suitability of the variables mentioned was examined to assess the pigs' positive affective state in practice, which still constitutes a latent variable not itself measurable. For this, a dataset including behavioral and physiological data of 60 fattening pigs from 3 different farms with different housing systems was analyzed by the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method. A hierarchical component model (HCM) was used including the pigs' positive affective state as a higher-order component (HOC) and the behavioral and physiological parameters as lower-order components (LOC). Playing behavior, body language signals, and behavioral tests were revealed, in this order, to be most influenced by the pigs' positive affective state since these resulted in the corresponding path coefficients (PC) of PC = 0.83, PC = 0.79, and PC = 0.62, respectively. Additionally moderate and weak R2-values occurred for the endogenous latent variables playing behavior (R2 = 69.8%), body language signals (R2 = 62.7%), and behavioral tests (R2 = 39.5%). Furthermore, the indicator of the "locomotor play" showed the highest indicator reliability (IR) (IR = 0.85) to estimate the latent variable of pigs' positive affective state. The results of the present study supplement the comprehension and assessment of the pigs' positive affective state in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja L Krugmann
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Farina J Mieloch
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Joachim Krieter
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Irena Czycholl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Krugmann K, Warnken F, Krieter J, Czycholl I. Are Behavioral Tests Capable of Measuring Positive Affective States in Growing Pigs? Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9050274. [PMID: 31137646 PMCID: PMC6562421 DOI: 10.3390/ani9050274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study aimed at deriving potential indicators to assess fattening pigs’ positive affective state in order to be able to assess animal welfare more objectively. For this purpose, 297 fattening pigs from two different housing systems (a barren and an enriched environment) were subjected three times to the human approach test and novel object test (at the start, middle and end of fattening). The barren-housed pigs showed quicker approach latencies to come into contact with the unknown human and the novel object compared to the enriched-housed pigs (e.g., latency time in the human approach test at the end of fattening: barren housing system: 7.4 ± 1.1 s vs. enriched housing system: 57.1 ± 1.1 s, respectively 58.3 ± 1.3 s). They also indicated longer durations of contact in the human approach test but not in the novel object test (e.g., duration of contact in the human approach test at the end of fattening: barren housing system: 83.8 ± 1.1 s vs. enriched housing system: 6.3 ± 1.1 s respectively, 7.6 ± 1.3 s). However, taking the literature into account, interpretation of these results is not straightforward as the reasoning for these findings could be boredom, and thus a higher motivation to explore, or less fear. Hence, behavioral tests as solitary indicators are probably less useful in the assessment of an affective state. Abstract This study examined whether the human approach test (HAT) or novel object test (NOT), which are considered as suitable tests for assessing the level of fear or anxiety in animals, are suitable to detect a positive affective state in 297 fattening pigs from three different farms. The investigated farms consisted of a barren (farm 1, n = 160) and an enriched (farm 2, n = 106; farm 3, n = 31) husbandry. Each pig was subjected three times to the HAT and NOT during fattening (at the start, middle, and end of fattening). The pigs housed in the barren environment showed quicker approach latencies than the enriched-housed pigs (HAT: farm 1: 7.4 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 57.1 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 58.3 ± 1.3 s (end of fattening); NOT: farm 1: 4.5 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 23.0 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 9.0 ± 1.2 s (end of fattening)). The same pattern of behavior was observed for the duration of contacts in the HAT but not in the NOT (HAT: farm 1: 83.8 ± 1.1 s vs. farm 2: 6.3 ± 1.1 s, respectively, farm 3: 7.6 ± 1.3 s (end of fattening)). However, due to controversially discussed literature, it is difficult to conclude whether the described differences in the pigs’ behavior between the two housing systems might indicate useful indicators to detect their affective state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Krugmann
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Farina Warnken
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Joachim Krieter
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Irena Czycholl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Olshausenstr. 40, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
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König von Borstel U, Tönepöhl B, Appel AK, Voß B, Brandt H, Naderi S, Gauly M. Suitability of traits related to aggression and handleability for integration into pig breeding programmes: Genetic parameters and comparison between Gaussian and binary trait specifications. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0204211. [PMID: 30592711 PMCID: PMC6310294 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in husbandry systems as well as consumers' increasing demands for animal welfare lead to increasing importance of traits such as handleability and aggressiveness in pigs. However, before using such novel traits for selection decisions, information on genetic parameters for these traits for the specific population is required. Therefore, weight gain and behaviour-related traits were recorded in 1004 pigs (814 Pietrain x German Landrace crossbred, 190 German Landrace purebred) at different ages. Behaviour indicators and tests were assessed and conducted, respectively under commercial farm conditions and included scoring of skin lesions (twice) and behaviour during backtests (twice), injections (once), handling (twice) and weighing (three times). Since behaviour scores often exhibit suboptimal statistical properties for parametric analyses, variance components were estimated using an animal model assuming a normal (Gaussian, GA; all traits) and additionally a binary distribution of variables (BI; using a logit-link function for all behaviour traits). Heritabilities for behavioural traits ranged from 0.02 ± 0.04 (finishing pig handling test; BI) to 0.36 ± 0.08 (backtest 2; GA) suggesting that some of the traits are potentially useful for genetic selection (e.g. finishing pig weighing test: h2 (GA) = 0.20 ± 0.07). Only minor differences were observed for results from binary and Gaussian analyses of the same traits suggesting that either approach might yield valid results. However, four-fold cross-validation using correlations between breeding values of a sub-set of animals for the sample trait finishing pig weighing score indicated slight superiority of the logit model (r = 0.85 ± 0.04 vs. r = 0.77 ± 0.03). Generally, only weak to moderate associations were found between behavioural reactions to the same test at different ages (rp ≤ 0.11 for weighing at different ages; rp = 0.30 but rg (GA) = 0.84 ± 0.11 for the backtests) as well as between reactions to different tests. Therefore, for inclusion of behaviour traits into breeding programmes, and considering high labour input required for some tests such as the backtest, it is recommended to assess behaviour during situations that are relevant and identical to practical conditions, while the use of indicator traits generally does not appear to be a very promising alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uta König von Borstel
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Systems, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Institute for Animal Breeding und Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Björn Tönepöhl
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Systems, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anne K. Appel
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Systems, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- BHZP GmbH, Dahlenburg-Ellringen, Germany
| | | | - Horst Brandt
- Institute for Animal Breeding und Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Saeid Naderi
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Systems, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Department of Animal Science, Livestock Production Systems, Georg August University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Goursot C, Düpjan S, Kanitz E, Tuchscherer A, Puppe B, Leliveld LMC. Assessing animal individuality: links between personality and laterality in pigs. Curr Zool 2018; 65:541-551. [PMID: 31616485 PMCID: PMC6784513 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal individuality is challenging to explain because individual differences are regulated by multiple selective forces that lead to unique combinations of characteristics. For instance, the study of personality, a core aspect of individuality, may benefit from integrating other factors underlying individual differences, such as lateralized cerebral processing. Indeed, the approach-withdrawal hypothesis (the left hemisphere controls approach behavior, the right hemisphere controls withdrawal behavior), may account for differences in boldness or exploration between left and right hemispheric dominant individuals. To analyze the relationships between personality and laterality we tested 80 male piglets with established laterality patterns for 2 motor functions (tail curling direction and the side of the snout used for manipulation) and a combined classification integrating both motor functions using cluster analysis. We analyzed basal salivary testosterone and cortisol along with their behavior in standardized tests as pre-established indicators of different personality traits (Boldness, Exploration, Activity, Sociability, and Coping). We found that the direction of the single motor biases showed significant associations with few personality traits. However, the combined laterality classification showed more, and more robust, significant associations with different personality traits compared with the single motor biases. These results supported the approach-withdrawal hypothesis because right-biased pigs were bolder and more explorative in a context of novelty. Additionally, right-biased pigs were more sociable than left-biased pigs. Therefore, the present study indicates that personality is indeed related to lateralized cerebral processing and provides insight into the multifactorial nature of individuality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology.,Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6B, Rostock D, Germany
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O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM. Relationships among aggressiveness, fearfulness and response to humans in finisher pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Finkemeier MA, Langbein J, Puppe B. Personality Research in Mammalian Farm Animals: Concepts, Measures, and Relationship to Welfare. Front Vet Sci 2018; 5:131. [PMID: 30003083 PMCID: PMC6031753 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Measuring and understanding personality in animals is a rising scientific field. Much research has been conducted to assess distinctive individual differences in behavior in a large number of species in the past few decades, and increasing numbers of studies include farm animals. Nevertheless, the terminology and definitions used in this broad scientific field are often confusing because different concepts and methods are used to explain often synonymously applied terms, such as personality, temperament and coping style. In the present review we give a comprehensive overview of the concepts and terms currently used in animal personality research and critically reveal how they are defined and what they measure. First, we shortly introduce concepts describing human personality and how these concepts are used to explain animal personality. Second, we present which concepts, methods and measures are applied in farm animal personality research and show that the terminology used seems to be somehow species-related. Finally, we discuss some findings on the possible impact of personality on the welfare of farm animals. The assessment of personality in farm animals is of growing scientific and practical interest. Differences in theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches may also entail the diverse use of the different concepts between basic and applied research approaches. We conclude that more consistency is needed in using different theoretical concepts, terms and measures, especially in farm animal personality research. The terms coping style and temperament, which are used in different ways, should not be examined as independent concepts, but rather should be considered as different aspects of the whole personality concept. Farm animal personality should be increasingly considered for the improvement of animal housing, management, breeding and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Antonine Finkemeier
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.,Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jan Langbein
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany.,Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Leliveld LMC, Düpjan S, Tuchscherer A, Puppe B. Vocal correlates of emotional reactivity within and across contexts in domestic pigs (Sus scrofa). Physiol Behav 2017; 181:117-126. [PMID: 28912089 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Vocalizations have long been recognized to encode information about an individual's emotional state and, as such, have contributed to the study of emotions in animals. However, the potential of vocalizations to also encode information about an individual's emotional reactivity has received much less attention. In this study, we aimed to test whether the vocalizations of domestic pigs contain correlates of emotional reactivity that are consistent between different contexts. We recorded vocalizations of 120 young female pigs in an experimental arena in two consecutive recording contexts, social isolation and an encounter with a familiar human. Simultaneously, we measured their heart rate and behaviour to determine their emotional reactivity in the same context (within-context). In addition, we aimed to determine the subjects' emotional reactivity in other contexts (across-context) by measuring their behaviour in four common tests of emotional reactivity, the human approach test, the open door test, the open field test and the novel object test. Using a cluster analysis, we identified four different call types. Significant inter-context correlations were found for all call types, suggesting that pig vocalizations are consistent within an individual across contexts. The call rate and the proportions of the individual call types were found to correlate significantly with indices of emotional reactivity both within and across contexts. Thereby, we found more significant correlations to indices of emotional reactivity within context (behavioural and physiological response during recording) compared to across context (behavioural response in the four emotional reactivity tests). The consistency of the vocal correlates to emotional reactivity between the different contexts depended on the call type. While we found moderate evidence that the high grunt is indicative of more active, more explorative and less fearful individuals both within as well as across contexts, the other call types provided less consistent results. Thus, it seems that some call types are better suited to provide information on a caller's emotional reactivity than others, and further research is needed to clarify the underlying influential factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisette M C Leliveld
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany.
| | - Sandra Düpjan
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Armin Tuchscherer
- Institute of Genetics and Biometry, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Birger Puppe
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, D-18196 Dummerstorf, Germany; Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6B, D-18059 Rostock, Germany
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15
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Zebunke M, Nürnberg G, Melzer N, Puppe B. The backtest in pigs revisited—Inter-situational behaviour and animal classification. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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16
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Roelofs S, Nordquist RE, van der Staay FJ. Female and male pigs’ performance in a spatial holeboard and judgment bias task. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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de Lara IAR, Hinde JP, de Castro AC, da Silva IJO. A proportional odds transition model for ordinal responses with an application to pig behaviour. J Appl Stat 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/02664763.2016.1191623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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18
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Brajon S, Laforest JP, Schmitt O, Devillers N. A preliminary study of the effects of individual response to challenge tests and stress induced by humans on learning performance of weaned piglets (Sus scrofa). Behav Processes 2016; 129:27-36. [PMID: 27246576 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated whether individual behavioural characteristics of piglets and stress induced by experience with humans can influence learning performance. After weaning, piglets received a chronic experience with humans to modulate their emotional state: rough (ROU), gentle (GEN), or minimal (MIN) experience. Simultaneously, they were trained on a discrimination task. Afterward, their behaviour during challenge tests was assessed. The first learning step of the task involved associating a positive sound cue with a response (approach a trough) and success of piglets depended mostly on motivation to seek for reward. Although the experience with humans did not have direct effect, the degree of fear of handler, measured based on their reactivity to a human approach test, was related to motivation to seek rewards and learning speed of this first step in stressed ROU piglets, but not in MIN and GEN piglets. In contrast, the second learning step was more cognitively challenging, since it involved discrimination learning, including negative cues during which piglets had to learn to avoid the trough. Locomotion activity, measured during an open-field test, was associated with performance of the discrimination learning. To conclude, fearfulness towards humans and locomotion activity are linked with learning performance in relation to task complexity, highlighting the necessity to take into account these factors in animal research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Brajon
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada; Université Laval, Department of Animal Science, Quebec city, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Laforest
- Université Laval, Department of Animal Science, Quebec city, Quebec, Canada
| | - Océane Schmitt
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Devillers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
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Scheffler K, Stamer E, Traulsen I, Krieter J. Relationship between behavioural tests and agonistic interactions at different age levels in pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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20
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Abstract
The present study examined the possibilities and consequences of selecting pigs for reduced aggression and desirable maternal behaviour. Data were recorded from 798 purebred Large White gilts, with an age of 217±17.7 (mean±SD) days, which were observed at mixing with unfamiliar conspecifics. The reaction of the sows towards separation from their litter was assessed for 2022 litters from 848 Large White sows. Sows' performance during their time in the farrowing unit was scored based on the traits farrowing behaviour (i.e. need of birth assistance), rearing performance (i.e. litter quality at day 10 postpartum (pp)), usability (i.e. additional labour input during lactation period e.g. for treatments) and udder quality of the sow (i.e. udder attachment). For agonistic behaviour, traits heritabilities of h 2=0.11±0.04 to h 2=0.28±0.06 were estimated. For the sow's reaction towards separation from her litter low heritabilities were found (h 2=0.03±0.03 for separation test on day 1 pp and h 2=0.02±0.03 for separation test on day 10 pp). Heritabilities for lactating sow's performance (farrowing behaviour, rearing performance, usability of the sow and udder quality) in the farrowing unit ranged from h 2=0.03±0.02 to h 2=0.19±0.03. Due to these results it can be assumed that selection for these traits, for example, for udder quality or reduced aggression, is possible. Antagonistic associations were found between separation test on day 1 pp and different measures of aggressiveness (r g =-0.22±0.26 aggressive attack and r g =-0.41±0.33 reciprocal fighting). Future studies should determine economic as well as welfare-related values of these traits in order to decide whether selection for these traits will be reasonable.
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Adcock SJJ, Martin GM, Walsh CJ. The stress response and exploratory behaviour in Yucatan minipigs (Sus scrofa): Relations to sex and social rank. Physiol Behav 2015; 152:194-202. [PMID: 26450148 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
According to the coping styles hypothesis, an individual demonstrates an integrated behavioural and physiological response to environmental challenge that is consistent over time and across situations. Individual consistency in behavioural responses to challenge has been documented across the animal kingdom. Comparatively few studies, however, have examined inter-individual variation in the physiological response, namely glucocorticoid and catecholamine levels, the stress hormones secreted by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system, respectively. Variation in coping styles between individuals may be explained in part by differences in social rank and sex. Using 20 Yucatan minipigs (Sus scrofa) we: (1) investigated the existence of consistent inter-individual variation in exploratory behaviour and the hormonal stress response, and tested for correlations as predicted by the coping styles hypothesis; and (2) evaluated whether inter-individual behavioural and hormonal variation is related to social rank and sex. Salivary stress biomarkers (cortisol, alpha-amylase, chromogranin A) were assessed in the presence and absence of a stressor consisting of social isolation in a crate for 10 min. Principal components analysis on a set of behavioural variables revealed two traits, which we labelled exploratory tendency and neophobia. Neither exploratory tendency nor neophobia predicted the physiological stress response. Subordinate pigs exhibited higher catecholamine levels compared to dominant conspecifics. We observed sex differences in the repeatability of salivary stress markers and reactivity of the stress systems. The results do not provide support for the existence of behavioural-physiological coping styles in pigs. Sex is an important determinant of the physiological stress response and warrants consideration in research addressing behavioural and hormonal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J J Adcock
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Programme, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3X9, Canada.
| | - Gerard M Martin
- Psychology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
| | - Carolyn J Walsh
- Psychology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3X9, Canada
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Ison SH, Wood CM, Baxter EM. Behaviour of pre-pubertal gilts and its relationship to farrowing behaviour in conventional farrowing crates and loose-housed pens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Clouard C, Gerrits WJJ, van Kerkhof I, Smink W, Bolhuis JE. Dietary linoleic and α-linolenic acids affect anxiety-related responses and exploratory activity in growing pigs. J Nutr 2015; 145:358-64. [PMID: 25644359 DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.199448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that the dietary ratio of linoleic acid (LA) to α-linolenic acid (ALA), the precursors of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), respectively, may affect behavior in mammals. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at evaluating the impact of dietary LA and ALA intake on behaviors of growing pigs, a pertinent model for human nutrition. METHODS At 7 wk of age, 32 pigs were allocated to 4 dietary treatments varying in daily intake of LA (1.3 and 2.6 g · kg body weight(-0.75) · d(-1) for low- and high-LA groups, respectively) and ALA (0.15 and 1.5 g · kg body weight(-0.75) · d(-1) for low- and high-ALA groups, respectively) for 4 wk. Between days 12 and 18, general behavior in the home pen was observed and pigs were subjected to an open field and novel object test. At 11 wk of age, brain fatty acid composition was analyzed. RESULTS Compared with high LA intake, low LA intake increased the time spent on exploration, particularly nosing in the home pen (P < 0.05) and the open field (P < 0.05), and tended to reduce the time spent lying with eyes open in the home pen (P = 0.09). Time spent lying with eyes open also tended to be affected by the interaction between LA and ALA (P = 0.08). A high-LA/high-ALA intake (ratio of 2; P < 0.05) and a low-LA/high-ALA intake (ratio of 1; P = 0.06) decreased the latency to approach the novel object compared with a low-LA/low-ALA intake (ratio of 9). DHA in the frontal cortex was positively correlated with exploratory behaviors in the home pen (rs = 0.56, P < 0.01), whereas AA was negatively correlated with time spent lying with eyes closed (rs = -0.48, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Low LA intake and a low dietary LA:ALA ratio increased exploration and decreased anxiety-related behaviors in pigs. It is suggested that changes in brain DHA and AA induced by dietary LA and ALA intake mediate these behavioral changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Walter J J Gerrits
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Willem Smink
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Brajon S, Laforest JP, Bergeron R, Tallet C, Hötzel MJ, Devillers N. Persistency of the piglet's reactivity to the handler following a previous positive or negative experience. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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27
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Reimert I, Rodenburg TB, Ursinus WW, Kemp B, Bolhuis JE. Responses to novel situations of female and castrated male pigs with divergent social breeding values and different backtest classifications in barren and straw-enriched housing. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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28
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Tudorache C, Schaaf MJM, Slabbekoorn H. Covariation between behaviour and physiology indicators of coping style in zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Endocrinol 2013; 219:251-8. [PMID: 24198397 DOI: 10.1530/joe-13-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
All vertebrates exhibit physiological responses to a wide variety of stressors. The amplitude and profile of the response depend on the intensity, duration, controllability and predictability of the stressor, but there is also individual variation in the response, termed coping style. A better understanding of the expression of coping styles is of great value for medical applications, animal welfare issues and conservation. Here, we investigated the effect of repeated netting stress on proactive and reactive zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an upcoming model system for stress research. Fish were separated by coping styles according to the order of entering a novel environment. Subsequently, repeated netting stress was applied as stressor, over a period of 21 days. Full-body cortisol levels were determined at 0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min after the last repeated stress event. Our results show that reactive fish display i) increased basal cortisol concentrations after being repeatedly stressed, ii) higher cortisol secretion over time and iii) slow recovery of cortisol concentration towards basal levels after the last repeated stress event. This study shows for the first time in zebrafish that different coping styles are associated with different cortisol responses during the recovery from stress over time and that coping styles can explain otherwise unaccounted variation in physiological stress responses.
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MESH Headings
- Allostasis
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Brain/growth & development
- Brain/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Disease Susceptibility
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Hydrocortisone/metabolism
- Male
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/biosynthesis
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism
- Neurons/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/biosynthesis
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/genetics
- Receptors, Mineralocorticoid/metabolism
- Stress, Physiological
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Zebrafish/growth & development
- Zebrafish/physiology
- Zebrafish Proteins/biosynthesis
- Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
- Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Tudorache
- Departments of Molecular Cell Biology Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
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Goumon S, Bergeron R, Faucitano L, Crowe T, Connor ML, Gonyou HW. Effect of previous ramp exposure and regular handling on heart rate, ease of handling and behaviour of near market-weight pigs during a simulated loading. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2013. [DOI: 10.4141/cjas2013-166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Goumon, S., Bergeron, R., Faucitano, L., Crowe, T., Connor, M. L. and Gonyou, H. W. 2013. Effect of previous ramp exposure and regular handling on heart rate, ease of handling and behaviour of near market-weight pigs during a simulated loading. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 461–470. The objective of this study was to assess whether stress response during simulated loading could be reduced by providing pigs with experience prior to the event. Two weeks before simulated loading, 160 Large White × Landrace near market-weight pigs were allocated to one of four treatments: physical training (EXERCISE), psychological training (RAMP), EXERCISE and RAMP trainings (BOTH) or no training (CON). Once training was completed, pigs were loaded into a simulated trailer compartment, and the metrics of behaviour, pig and handler's heart rates, loading time and handling difficulty were measured. During loading, heart rate was lower (P<0.05) for EXERCISE and BOTH pigs compared with RAMP and CON pigs. The numbers of touch/slap and push were lower (P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively) for EXERCISE pigs compared with CON, RAMP and BOTH pigs, which did not differ (P>0.05). The number of balks was the lowest (P<0.05) for EXERCISE pigs, whereas there were no differences (P>0.05) between BOTH and CON or RAMP pigs. This study demonstrates that daily exercise, by itself, improves the ease of handling and reduces cardiovascular response, while it appears that previous exposure to a ramp had no beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Goumon
- Laval University, Department of Animal Sciences, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada G1V 0A6
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7H 5N9
| | - R. Bergeron
- University of Guelph, Department of Animal & Poultry Science, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - L. Faucitano
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, 2000, College Street Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1M 0C8
| | - T. Crowe
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 5A
| | - M. L. Connor
- University of Manitoba, Department of Animal Science, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - H. W Gonyou
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7H 5N9
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Goumon S, Brown JA, Faucitano L, Bergeron R, Crowe T, Connor ML, Gonyou HW. Effect of rest duration on recovery from repeated exercise in near-market-weight pigs1. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:5859-67. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-6184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. Goumon
- Department of Animal Sciences, Laval University, Quebec City, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7H 5N9
| | - J. A. Brown
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7H 5N9
| | - L. Faucitano
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1M 0C8
| | - R. Bergeron
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - T. Crowe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5A9
| | - M. L. Connor
- Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - H. W. Gonyou
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7H 5N9
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Reimert I, Rodenburg TB, Ursinus WW, Duijvesteijn N, Camerlink I, Kemp B, Bolhuis JE. Backtest and novelty behavior of female and castrated male piglets, with diverging social breeding values for growth. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:4589-97. [PMID: 23942705 DOI: 10.2527/jas.2013-6673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Pigs housed together in a group influence each other's growth. Part of this effect is genetic and can be represented in a social breeding value. It is unknown, however, which traits are associated with social breeding values. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate whether personality and response to novelty could be associated with social breeding values for growth in piglets. Female and castrated male piglets from 80 litters, with either an estimated relative positive or negative social breeding value (+SBV or -SBV) for growth, were individually tested in a backtest and novel environment test, and group-wise in a novel object (i.e., a feeder with feed) test and human approach test. All tests were performed during the suckling period. No differences between +SBV and -SBV piglets were found for the frequency and latency of struggling and vocalizing in the backtest (at least, P > 0.30). In the novel object test, piglets with a +SBV for growth touched the feeder faster than piglets with -SBV for growth (P = 0.01) and were more frequently present near the person in the human approach test (P < 0.01). No behavioral differences between +SBV and -SBV piglets were found in the novel environment test (at least, P > 0.40), but piglets that struggled more in the backtest walked more in this test (P = 0.02). Behavior was affected by gender in each test. Female piglets were faster than castrated male piglets to start struggling in the backtest (P = 0.047). In the novel object test, females were faster than males to touch the feeder and sample the feed. In the human approach test, they were also faster than male piglets to touch a person (all, P < 0.001). Females were also more frequently present near the feeder (P < 0.001) and person (P = 0.03). In the novel environment test, female piglets explored the floor more (P = 0.046), produced less low- (P = 0.04) and high-pitched vocalizations (P = 0.02), and defecated (P = 0.08) and urinated less than male piglets (P < 0.01). It was concluded that +SBV and -SBV piglets do not differ in their response to the backtest, and only subtle differences were found in their response to novelty. More research is warranted to identify the traits underlying SBV for growth in pigs. Moreover, castrated male piglets seemed to react more fearfully to each test than female piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Reimert
- Wageningen University, Department of Animal Sciences, Adaptation Physiology Group, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Goumon S, Faucitano L, Bergeron R, Crowe T, Connor ML, Gonyou HW. Effect of ramp configuration on easiness of handling, heart rate, and behavior of near-market weight pigs at unloading1. J Anim Sci 2013; 91:3889-98. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2012-6083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S. Goumon
- Laval University, Department of Animal Sciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada G1V 0A6
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7H 5N9
| | - L. Faucitano
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy and Swine Research and Development Centre, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada J1M 0C8
| | - R. Bergeron
- University of Guelph, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - T. Crowe
- University of Saskatchewan, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5A9
| | - M. L. Connor
- University of Manitoba, Department of Animal Science, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - H. W. Gonyou
- Prairie Swine Centre, Box 21057, 2105 8th Street East, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7H 5N9
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33
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Interaction between sows’ aggressiveness post mixing and skin lesions recorded several weeks later. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Tönepöhl B, Appel AK, Welp S, Voß B, König von Borstel U, Gauly M. Effect of marginal environmental and social enrichment during rearing on pigs’ reactions to novelty, conspecifics and handling. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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35
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König v. Borstel U, Pirsich W, Gauly M, Bruns E. Repeatability and reliability of scores from ridden temperament tests conducted during performance tests. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Searching for differences in the behavioural response of piglet groups subjected to novel situations. Behav Processes 2012; 89:68-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2011.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2010] [Revised: 10/14/2011] [Accepted: 10/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Towards a more objective assessment of equine personality using behavioural and physiological observations from performance test training. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Breeding against harmful social behaviours in pigs and chickens: State of the art and the way forward. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Clouard C, Meunier-Salaün MC, Devillers N. Development of approach and handling tests for the assessment of reactivity to humans of sows housed in stall or in group. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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König von Borstel U, Euent S, Graf P, König S, Gauly M. Equine behaviour and heart rate in temperament tests with or without rider or handler. Physiol Behav 2011; 104:454-63. [PMID: 21616087 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2011] [Revised: 04/12/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare horses' heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (RMSSD, pNN50) and behaviour in the same temperament test when being ridden, led, and released free. Behavioural measurements included scores and linear measurements for reactivity (R), activity (A), time to calm down (T) and emotionality (E), recorded during the approach (1) and/or during confrontation with the stimulus (2). Sixty-five horses were each confronted 3 times (1 ridden, 1 led, 1 free running in balanced order) with 3 novel and/or sudden stimuli. Mixed model analysis indicated that leading resulted in the lowest (P<0.05 throughout) reactions as measured by A1, A2, E1, E2, R2, and pNN50 while riding produced the strongest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) or medium (E1, E2, R2) reactions. Free running resulted either in the strongest (A2, E1, E2, R2) or in the lowest (A1, T2, HR, RMSSD, pNN50) reactions. The repeatability across tests for HR (0.57), but not for RMSSD (0.23) or pNN50 (0.25) was higher than for any behavioural measurement: the latter ranged from values below 0.10 (A1, A2, T2) to values between 0.30 and 0.45 (E1, E2, R2). Overall, the results show that a rider or handler influences, but not completely masks, the horses' intrinsic behaviour in a temperament test, and this influence appeared to be stronger on behavioural variables and heart rate variability than on the horses' heart rates. Taking both practical considerations and repeatabilities into account, reactivity appears to be the most valuable parameter. Emotionality and heart rate can also yield valid results reflecting additional dimensions of temperament although their practical relevance may be less obvious. If a combination of observed variables is chosen with care, a valid assessment of a horse's temperament may be possible in all types of tests. However, in practice, tests that resemble the practical circumstances most closely, i.e. testing riding horses under a rider, should be chosen.
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Affiliation(s)
- U König von Borstel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Goettingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 3, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
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Valsecchi P, Barnard S, Stefanini C, Normando S. Temperament test for re-homed dogs validated through direct behavioral observation in shelter and home environment. J Vet Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Köhn F, Sharifi AR, Simianer H. Genetic analysis of reactivity to humans in Goettingen minipigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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