Aggressive and sexual behaviour of growing and finishing pigs reared in groups, without castration

Abstract

Aggressive and sexual behaviour in entire males and females were studied on 408 pigs. The sum of aggressive interactions in the pen during routine feeding (ALP) was lowest in single-sex pens with females. ALP was higher at 132 than at 155 days. High ALP correlated with high average growth rate. Aggressive interactions in a competition test (IA) increased after slaughter of the three fastest-growing pigs in a pen (at 155 days), although the slaughtered pigs had initiated the most IA earlier (at 132 days). Entire male pigs displayed more sexual behaviour (mounting) than females. In 15% of entire males and 6% of females there were health problems specifically involving lameness or injured legs or feet. Five entire males and one female were euthanized in response to lameness or leg fracture. The rearing of entire male pigs may cause welfare problems, given their higher levels of aggression and sexual behaviour

Keywords

boar; entire male; social behaviour; aggression; welfare

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2006, volume: 56, number: 2, pages: 109-119
Publisher: Taylor & Francis

SLU Authors

• Rydhmer, Lotta

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Zamaratskaia, Galia

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Andersson, Kristina

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Algers, Bo

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lundström, Kerstin

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Veterinary Science
Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064700601079527

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/10515