Sows often have increased aggression due to restricted feeding or low space allowances. It may also be increased in a competitive feeding system. Moving to group sow housing makes aggression more dangerous to the animals and implementing enrichment in the pens may help mitigate this. It also keeps the sows more active which is very beneficial for gestating sows. Rope, wood and chains are the most common forms of enrichment, with straw being the most interactive as it also increases satiety. To maintain novelty and increase use it is important to rotate enrichments as well. They can be a distraction for the more dominant sows so that they are focused on the object, taking pressure on the more subordinate sows in the system. Less destructive behaviours will be seen by maintaining enrichment in the pens that holds the interest of the animals.
Code-Related Research an Enriching Experience (full article)
