Behavioral genetics in pigs and relations to welfare

Abstract

Research in behavioral genetics is important for pig welfare. Consequences of the ongoing selection for high production on pigs’ behavior need to be studied, as well as possibilities to select directly for behavioral traits. The Farm Animal Welfare Council’s definition of welfare is based on five freedoms related to hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury or disease, fear and distress, and normal behavior. All these freedoms are associated with pig behavior. Pig breeding programs could be further developed by including behavioral traits relevant for welfare.

Keywords

Aggressive; behavior; breeding; feeding; group; maternal; pig; social; welfare

Published in

Title: Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Rydhmer, Lotta

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85752-9.00008-1
• ISBN: 978-0-323-85752-9
• eISBN: 978-0-323-98446-1

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129696