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Determining Effective Enrichments for Group Housed Sows

WShannon
Ethology
November 23, 2020

Providing enrichment improves biological functioning and the well-being of animals. For pigs reared in Canada, this is now a requirement. It promotes positive social behaviour and is an outlet for their highly motivated exploratory behaviour. Adverse behaviours, stereotypic behaviours and aggression levels are increased in environments without enrichment. Sows may also be more fit at farrowing which may shorten birthing intervals and have fewer laid-on piglets. Interaction was high on day one, then continued to decrease due to habituation. The horizontal wood swing was removed due to safety concerns. Ranking from safety, durability and sow attractiveness ratings with the highest first are: straw on the floor, straw in a rack, three-item enrichment and then a block of wood.

Determining Effective Enrichments for Group Housed Sows (full article)

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Research Areas
EngineeringEthologyManagementMediaNutritionOntario PorkProductionSwine Innovation Porc

Engineering

  • Optimizing temperature requirements of pigs to reduce energy use in swine production
  • Investment cost and payback period of a modified prototype livestock trailer
  • Alternative energy and heating sources

Nutrition

  • Transepithelial ion transport in the stomach of pigs exposed to gastric ulcer conditions
  • Developing an Indigestible Protein Index to Investigate the Effects of Dietary Protein in Pigs
  • Impact of fibre on performance and intestinal health of pigs fed a high indigestible protein level

Ethology

  • The influence of straw enrichment on hair hormone concentrations, behaviour, and productivity of growing pigs
  • Rearing pigs with play opportunities: The effects on disease resilience in pigs experimentally inoculated with PRRSV
  • Promoting play behaviour in grow-finish pigs

Management

  • Quality of Life Handbook – The use of environmental enrichment
  • Seek and you shall find; The value of postmortem, in pigs?
  • P1 development strategies for peak performance

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