Sows in confined environments often develop stereotyped behaviors (i.e., sham chewing, bar biting) and are lethargic. These behaviors may indicate an inadequate environment, and enriching confined environments with appropriate substrates and objects have proven successful in reducing or eliminating stereotypic and destructive behavior in non-human primate and other animal species housed in laboratory settings. Upon introducing biologically relevant and artificial objects into confined gestation sow environments, sows become stimulated to perform active behaviors (rooting and exploration), and significant reductions in stereotyped and lethargic behavior were observed. Artificial objects (plastic balls, rubber hose) were not used by the sows; instead the sows chose to manipulate natural objects (peat, wood logs). Enriching the environments of confined pigs with biologically relevant stimuli allows the attainment of positive states of well-being by encouraging exploratory, active behaviors.
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Sows in modern confinement facilities may have lowered or enhanced performance and well-being depending on the quality of interaction with stockpersons. An investigation into the effects of positive, aversive, and minimal contact with humans on sow reproduction and behavior was carried out to find answers. Sows receiving positive contact were much more calm, did not show fear or stress reactions when in the presence of the experimenters, and had more pigs born and weaned. Sows treated in an aversive manner, or receiving no contact, tended to exhibit fear and stress reactions and lowered reproduction when in the presence of the experimenters. Contact time was 3 minutes per week per sow throughout gestation. Eliminating aversive elements (loud voice, striking the backs of animals, quick movements with body and arms) and providing positive interaction (gentle scratching, quiet-confident voice, reserved body movement) in a consistent manner toward sows can lower their fear reactions to humans and enhance reproduction. Caretakers should also become familiar with individual sows and observe sows often, thus allowing preventative health management to occur.
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Recent research has shown that the mother-offspring relationship in pigs is complex, and a number of potentially important changes occur in nursing and suckling behaviors of sows and piglets on free-range. Questions have been voiced on how farrowing crates influence sow and piglet behavior and welfare in comparison with "natural" lactation. As lactation progressed with sows and piglets in crates, significant decreases in sow recumbency and increases in stereotypic behavior were observed, and the number and severity of tissue wounds increased as well. It appeared that the piglets, rather than the sow, controlled the mother-young relationship. This research adds additional knowledge to the ethological literature concerned with the welfare of crated sows and it may aid in decisions regarding farrowing crate design and lactating sow management.
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The effects of radio music and radio static on 20 month-old White Leghorn laying hens housed either singly or in cages of 6-12 hens per cage were studied. In general, this study suggests that 1 week of added radio music may keep laying hens more active, feeding more, standing less, more attentive (more headshaking), and producing larger eggs than if no music was added. It also suggests that adding 1 week of radio static may cause the hens to be less aggressive, produce larger eggs, and have more eosinophils than if no sounds were added. It is suggested that, as chicks, the hens may have imprinted on the fan noise in their incubators. Thus, adding music at this early age may increase the well-being of the chickens if music is played throughout their lives.
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The Animal Welfare Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Research Service
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave.
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
Phone: (301) 504-6212
FAX: (301) 504-7125
Contact us: http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/contact.php
