Abstract

This study investigated how inclusion of grass/clover silage affected the time budgets and social behaviour of growing/ finishing pigs. The behaviour of 128 pigs was observed through video recordings. Pigs fed intact or chopped silage spent a larger proportion of their time active compared with pigs fed silage in pelleted form or fed only cereal-based feed. There was a trend for pigs fed silage in pelleted form or fed only cereal-based feed to respond strongly to social interactions more often than pigs fed intact or chopped silage, irrespective of initial performing pig behaviour. Pigs in groups fed intact silage had a lower number of wounds from violent social interactions on their bodies. Thus, additional provision of silage in an environment enriched with straw can further improve pig welfare.

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2013, volume: 63, number: 2, pages: 84-92
Publisher: Taylor & Francis

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