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Van Kerschaver C, Turpin D, Michiels J, Pluske J. Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101644. [PMID: 37238074 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The weaning of pigs in most commercial pork production systems is an abrupt event performed at a fairly young age, i.e., mostly between 2.5 and 5 weeks of age. This practice induces a stress response, and its impact on behavior, performance and the gastrointestinal tract has been well described. Historically, there has been a focus on pre- and post-weaning nutritional strategies and post-weaning housing conditions and medication to improve production and reduce mortality after weaning. However, alternative pre-weaning housing and management systems that promote the development of natural social behaviors of piglets before weaning have recently received more attention. Co-mingling of non-littermates before weaning is a strategy that aims to initiate social interactions prior to weaning. The separation of the litter from the sow in the period leading up to weaning, termed intermittent suckling, aims to enhance the gradual separation from the sow. In addition, these practices encourage the young pig to learn explorative nutrient sourcing. Altogether, they may reduce weaning-associated stress. In this review, these strategies are defined, and their effects on behavior, performance, mortality, gastrointestinal function and immunocompetence are described. Though these strategies may be adapted to a commercial setting, it also becomes clear that many factors can contribute to the success of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Van Kerschaver
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Diana Turpin
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, 3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth 6151, Australia
| | - Joris Michiels
- Laboratory for Animal Nutrition and Animal Product Quality, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John Pluske
- Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited, Willaston 5118, Australia
- Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
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Zhao W, Yang N, Zhu L, Lin Y, Zhang Q, Shu G, Wang S, Gao P, Zhu X, Wang L, Jiang Q. Effect of different odors on the fighting behavior of weaning piglets after merging into a large pen. Anim Sci J 2023; 94:e13809. [PMID: 36653895 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
In intensive pig production, the fighting behavior of weaning piglets after merging pens is relatively common. Fighting behavior not only easily causes injury in pigs but also affects the production performance of pigs. To reduce fighting behavior in farms, this study aimed to explore the possible effect of odorous substances on piglet fighting behavior after merging into a large pen. Six different sprays were tested: original creamy, cheese flavor, orange flavor, truffle, vanilla and pigpen flavor. In each experiment, two groups were set (one odor-sprayed and no sprayed control), and 12 pigs were used per group. After mixing, the frequency of occurrence of various piglet behaviors in different pens was recorded. During this period, salivary cortisol levels and skin lesion scores were evaluated. As a result, the piglets sprayed with the original creamy, cheese flavor and vanilla substances obtained significantly higher average daily gain and feed intake and showed a significantly lower incidence of fighting behavior, and the skin lesion score and salivary cortisol of piglets were also reduced significantly. All the other odorous substances had no significant effects on the fighting behavior and production performance of piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhu
- Chuxiong Anyou Livestock Co., Chuxiong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yisheng Lin
- Guangdong Ruisheng Technology Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiman Zhang
- Guangdong Ruisheng Technology Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Shu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Songbo Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingyan Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition Control, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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3
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Effects of two different early socialization models on social behavior and physiology of suckling piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Van Kerschaver C, Vandaele M, Degroote J, Van Tichelen K, Fremaut D, Van Ginneken C, Michiels J. Effect of starting time of co-mingling non-littermates during lactation on performance and skin lesions of sows and piglets. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ji W, Bi Y, Cheng Z, Liu R, Zhang X, Shu Y, Li X, Bao J, Liu H. Impact of early socialization environment on social behavior, physiology and growth performance of weaned piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Ko HL, López-Vergé S, Chong Q, Gasa J, Manteca X, Llonch P. Short communication: Preweaning socialization and environmental enrichment affect short-term performance after regrouping in commercially reared pigs. Animal 2020; 15:100115. [PMID: 33712210 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100115] [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: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
On-farm practices like premature weaning and frequent regrouping induce stress to pigs. Early socialization or environmental enrichment in piglets reduce weaning stress, as suggested in previous studies. Little research with both effects and in commercial settings was found. The aim was to investigate the effects of preweaning socialization and environmental enrichment on life-long performance in 661 Danbred pigs. Two treatments were distinguished during the suckling period: control (CON, 24 litters) and enriched (ENR, 24 litters). Control piglets were raised in barren farrowing pens; ENR piglets were provided with six enrichment objects from birth, and two neighboring litters were socialized from Day (D) 14. Pigs were regrouped on D25 (weaning) and D71 (fattening), while keeping the same treatment. Individual body weight was recorded on D1, 14, 23, 27, 31, 38, 69, 79, and after slaughter (carcass weight, CW). Pigs were slaughtered in six batches. Estimated slaughter weight (ESW) was calculated by CW × 1.25. Body weight, CW, and average daily gain (ADG) were analyzed by linear mixed models. Slaughter age was analyzed by Wilcox Rank-Sum test. Body weight and ESW were adjusted to non-linear models to obtain the predicted growth curves of CON and ENR, from birth to the targeted market weight (TMW, 105 kg). Average daily gain during the suckling, nursery, and fattening periods, and from birth to slaughter, did not differ between treatments. However, ADG of ENR when moving pigs from farrowing to nursery (4-day period) and from nursery to fattening (10-day period), revealed a better performance than CON (+20.6 g/day, P = 0.02; +53 g/day, P = 0.03, respectively). Enriched pigs tended to be slaughtered 2.8 days earlier than CON (P = 0.08). On the other hand, the predicted growth curves showed a non-significant 2-day window of reaching TMW between treatments (P = 0.23). Results suggested that enriching the neonatal environment improved the short-term performance after regrouping, and may benefit the life-long performance by reducing time to reach TMW.
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Affiliation(s)
- H-L Ko
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain.
| | - S López-Vergé
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Q Chong
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - J Gasa
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
| | - X Manteca
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
| | - P Llonch
- Department of Animal and Food Science, School of Veterinary Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona), Spain
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Ko HL, Chong Q, Escribano D, Camerlink I, Manteca X, Llonch P. Pre-weaning socialization and environmental enrichment affect life-long response to regrouping in commercially-reared pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Long Term Benefits on Social Behaviour after Early Life Socialization of Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8110192. [PMID: 30380594 PMCID: PMC6262459 DOI: 10.3390/ani8110192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Pig welfare is a societal concern, partly due to the intensive rearing conditions. One welfare concern is aggression between newly regrouped pigs. Aggression at weaning is reduced by putting several groups of piglets together when young; termed socialization. Information is missing about how socialization affects sow health and if the behavioural changes in piglets are long-lasting. We aimed to address these questions by studying sow udder quality and pig behaviour and growth in socialized and control groups. Pigs were socialized by either joining two litters (32 sows; 16 groups) at 14 days of age or not joining them (33 sows). At weaning, the sows of socialized groups had more udder damage than the controls. Socialized piglets had double the amount of bite injuries (skin lesions) than controls the day after socialization, but had 19% fewer skin lesions at regrouping at eight weeks old when injuries are more numerous and severe. At 11 weeks old, there was no difference between the groups. In a test for aggressiveness, socialized pigs attacked more often and quicker, showing greater confidence in agonistic skills. Socialization means additional work for farmers and may cause more udder damage, but has beneficial effects for pig behaviour and welfare at later regrouping. Abstract Early life socialization of piglets has been shown to reduce piglet aggression at weaning, but information on sow health and long-term benefits is lacking. We aimed to assess how socialization impacts sow udder quality and long-term pig behaviour and growth. At two weeks of age, 65 litters either experienced socialization with one other litter (SOC) or did not (control; CON). Sows (housed in farrowing crates) were scored for teat damage and piglets were observed for aggressive behaviour (resident-intruder test) and growth and skin lesions up to 11 weeks under conventional farm conditions (including weaning and regrouping). At weaning, SOC sows had more teat damage than CON sows (p = 0.04). SOC piglets had double the number of lesions 24 h post-socialization compared to the control (19 versus 8; p < 0.001). In the resident-intruder test, more SOC pigs attacked the intruder (SOC 78%; CON 66%; p < 0.01), and attacked more quickly (p = 0.01). During regrouping (week 8), SOC pigs had 19% fewer lesions (SOC 68; CON 84; p < 0.05), but three weeks later, groups did not differ. Growth was unaffected by treatment. Overall, socialized piglets seem to be equipped with greater confidence or agonistic skills, leading to fewer injuries from fighting up to at least six weeks after socialization.
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Ison S, Bates R, Ernst C, Steibel J, Siegford J. Housing, ease of handling and minimising inter-pig aggression at mixing for nursery to finishing pigs as reported in a survey of North American pork producers. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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van Nieuwamerongen SE, Mendl M, Held S, Soede NM, Bolhuis JE. Post-weaning social and cognitive performance of piglets raised pre-weaning either in a complex multi-suckling group housing system or in a conventional system with a crated sow. Anim Cogn 2017; 20:907-921. [PMID: 28681226 PMCID: PMC5559564 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-017-1110-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We studied the social and cognitive performance of piglets raised pre-weaning either in a conventional system with a sow in a farrowing crate (FC) or in a multi-suckling (MS) system in which 5 sows and their piglets could interact in a more physically enriched and spacious environment. After weaning at 4 weeks of age, 8 groups of 4 litter-mates per pre-weaning housing treatment were studied under equal and enriched post-weaning housing conditions. From each pen, one pair consisting of a dominant and a submissive pig was selected, based on a feed competition test (FCT) 2 weeks post-weaning. This pair was used in an informed forager test (IFT) which measured aspects of spatial learning and foraging strategies in a competitive context. During individual training, submissive (informed) pigs learned to remember a bait location in a testing arena with 8 buckets (the same bucket was baited in a search visit and a subsequent relocation visit), whereas dominant (non-informed) pigs always found the bait in a random bucket (search visits only). After learning their task, the informed pigs' individual search visit was followed by a pairwise relocation visit in which they were accompanied by the non-informed pig. Effects of pre-weaning housing treatment were not distinctly present regarding the occurrence of aggression in the FCT and the learning performance during individual training in the IFT. During paired visits, informed and non-informed pigs changed their behaviour in response to being tested pairwise instead of individually, but MS and FC pigs showed few distinct behavioural differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E van Nieuwamerongen
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Mendl
- Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - S Held
- Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - N M Soede
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - J E Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Hong JK, Kim KH, Hwang HS, Lee JK, Eom TK, Rhim SJ. Behaviors and body weight of suckling piglets in different social environments. ASIAN-AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2017; 30:902-906. [PMID: 28002938 PMCID: PMC5411856 DOI: 10.5713/ajas.16.0653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Revised: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to characterize the behaviors and the body weight of suckling piglets in different social environments. METHODS Two groups of sows and suckling piglets housed either in individual farrowing crates in separate pens (1.8×2.4 m, the control group) or in groups of three sows with their piglets in farrowing crates in a large common enclosure (5.4×2.2 m, the treatment group) were observed with the aid of video technology for 9 consecutive hours on days 1, 2, and 3, after mixing. RESULTS Suckling, agonistic, and elimination behaviors of suckling piglets were significantly higher in the control group than in the treatment group. Inactive behavior was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Most of the effects of the social environment on the suckling piglets seem to be the result of large reductions in behaviors and body weight for piglets switching from high activity to low activity. Moreover, suckling behavior and birth body weight were highly correlated with body weight at the end of the test. CONCLUSION The social environment that resulted from mixing, thus, had significant effects on the behavior and body weight of suckling piglets, and behavioral characteristics, therefore, should be considered when making improvements to the husbandry and care methods used in swine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon-Ki Hong
- Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan 31000, Korea
| | - Ki-Hyun Kim
- Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan 31000, Korea
| | - Hyun-Su Hwang
- School of Bioresourceand Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 17546, Korea
| | - Jae-Kang Lee
- School of Bioresourceand Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 17546, Korea
| | - Tae-Kyung Eom
- School of Bioresourceand Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 17546, Korea
| | - Shin-Jae Rhim
- School of Bioresourceand Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 17546, Korea
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A review of sow and piglet behaviour and performance in group housing systems for lactating sows. Animal 2014; 8:448-60. [PMID: 24534691 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731113002280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial use of group housing systems for lactating sows is limited, but the recent transition to group housing during gestation in the EU may result in a renewed interest in such systems. Therefore, this review aims to identify key factors that may contribute to the success or failure of group housing of lactating sows in comparison with individual housing by describing the variety in group housing systems and discussing animal behaviour and performance compared with individual housing. Group housing systems can be divided in multi-suckling (MS) systems, in which sows are grouped with their litters, and get-away (GA) systems, which include a separate communal area accessible to sows only. These systems differ in many aspects regarding management and layout but, compared with individual housing, generally provide more environmental complexity, more freedom of movement for the sows and more freedom to express behaviours related to, for example, maternal care and social interactions. Group housing poses several risks, such as disrupted nursing and an increased level of crushing during the MS phase, and in the GA systems there is a risk for early cessation of nursing. On the other hand, pre-weaning mingling of litters clearly benefits piglet social development and may improve adaptation to the post-weaning situation. In addition, group-housed sows may show lactational ovulation, which provides opportunities for insemination during an extended lactation period, which benefits the piglets. Gradual transitions in social and physical environment around gestation, farrowing, grouping and weaning seem to be key success factors for group housing systems during lactation. In addition, selection of suitable sows and quality of stockmanship seem important.
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