Previous research mainly focuses on small group sizes but commercially larger sizes are becoming more common. Social behaviour in larger groups of pigs is not well understood, though they are likely to have different social strategies. These behaviours should be monitored in order to ensure productivity and welfare of the animals are not affected. Aggressive behaviour was monitored in grower-finisher pigs on fully slatted floors in groups of 18 and 108 and were compared. Time fighting was the same for both groups, though aggressive behaviours were reduced when mixing pigs with large group experience.
Effect of Social Group Size on Aggressive Behaviour of Grower-Finisher Pigs in Fully-Slatted Floor Rearing System (full article)
