NORMAL AND ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR Course in Animal Welfare 2017
THE NORMAL BEHAVIOUR OF PIGS
NORMAL BEHAVIOUR IN PEOPLE - WHAT ABOUT PIGS? Resting Eating Drinking Normal behaviour is what the animal does in its natural surroundings or in the production systems to which it has adapted. Sleeping Other normal behaviour Investigates its surroundings, roots, dungs, establishes a hierarchy, nurses and expresses sexual behaviour
PIG S ACTIVITY LEVEL Number of minutes/hours Time The pig s level of activity follows a clear daily rhythm. They are normally active in the day and rest in the middle of the day.
DAILY RHYTHM Rest Rest Teat order Sexual behaviour Rest Eat Nursing behaviour new born Hierarchy Dung Investigate surroundings Drink
SOCIAL ANIMALS Pigs are social animals and like to do the same as their pen mates, e.g. eat and rest at the same time
BEHAVIOR DURING ILLNESS Normal behaviour but deviation from the norm You should take action if The pig isolates itself Shows no interest in its surroundings Does not move normally
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR IN PIGS
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR Abnormal behaviour Reaction to an impact that the pig is unable to adapt to Indicates that one or more factors in the pig s environment is not as it should be
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR TAIL BITING Multi-factorial = multiple factors that can be the trigger Check: Temperature Ventilation (draught) Feed Rooting and enrichment material
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR VULVA BITING Often when competing for feed Check: Reduce competition for food?
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR SUDDEN ATTACK Bullying
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR STEREOTYPICAL BEHAVIOUR Repetitive behaviour, without any apparent aim or function Check: Rooting and enrichment material e.g. idle chewing, biting fixtures and fittings, snout rubbing
ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR EAR SUCKING Often occurs with early weaned pigs Check: Weaning age
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE STATEMENT False True Eating, sleeping, drinking are typical examples of normal behaviour Pigs prefer to eat alone It is abnormal behaviour for pigs to bite fixtures and fittings Pigs are social animals Vulva biting, idle chewing, ear sucking and tail biting are examples of normal behaviour Aggression is normal when pigs establish a hierarchy There can be many different reasons for tail biting A sick pig often isolates itself from the others Interest in its surroundings is a sign that the pig is well
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Statement False True Eating, sleeping, drinking are typical examples of normal behaviour Pigs prefer to eat alone It is abnormal behaviour for pigs to bite fixtures and fittings Pigs are social animals Vulva biting, idle chewing, ear sucking and tail biting are examples of normal behaviour Aggression is normal when pigs establish a hierarchy There can be many different reasons for tail biting A sick pig often isolates itself from the others Interest in its surroundings is a sign that the pig is well X X X X X X X X X
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (CONT.) What can you do if you see signs of tail biting among finishers? What can you do if you see signs of vulva biting among sows? What should you do with a pig that cannot manage by itself or is too aggressive with its pen mates? What are the signs of a sick animal?
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (CONT.) What can you do if you see signs of tail biting among finishers? e.g. Investigate the climate (draught + temperature + damp) Provide rooting and enrichment material Control feed and number of feeding places What can you do if you see signs of vulva biting among sows? Remove the sow to a hospital pen Check that there are enough feeding spaces What should you do with a pig that cannot manage by itself or is too aggressive with its pen mates? Isolate the pig What are the signs of a sick animal? The pig isolates itself from the others Eats and drinks alone Withdrawn/no interest in its surroundings