Pig Behavior

Understanding Behavior

The provision of straw gives an important stimulus and outlet for exploration, foraging, rooting and chewing behaviors

A good understanding of animal behavior is required if we are going to achieve our objective of enabling animals in our care to express their basic behavioral needs (Lund and Weary, 2004). A basic understanding of natural behavior can be obtained from observing animals under natural conditions or in the wild. Natural behavior can be defined as the repertoire of different behaviors animals show when kept in environments where they can carry out behaviors created in the evolutionary process (Lidfors et al., 2005). Motivation and innate behaviors are important aspects of natural behavior, and hindering them may lead to abnormal behavior and stress (see also Housing and Behavior).

Studies of domestic pigs that have escaped back into the wild have shown that their behavior closely resembles that of the European wild boar (Sus scrofa) from which they originated. An understanding of the natural behavior of pigs can therefore help us to identify and improve pig welfare and to design systems that enhance positive welfare conditions. Despite domestication, pigs have inherited many of the behaviors and ethological needs of their wild ancestors and welfare problems arise when these natural behaviors and needs cannot be met.

Environmental Enrichment

Environmental enrichment is often implemented without considering the requirements of the animals within their environment and without specifying desired functional behaviors. Enrichment stimulates foraging and explorative behavior (Van de Weerd et al., 2003). It has been shown that low social status is associated with increased injuries to the head, neck and ears, and therefore reduced welfare. Environmental enrichment may improve the welfare of growing pigs with low social status (O’Connell et al., 2004c).

The amount of time occupied by enrichment-related behavior increases with age. However, weaners and growers appear to be stimulated by the same properties of enrichment items. Preparturient sows are highly motivated to obtain nesting material and straw can have a beneficial effect on maternal behavior after farrowing. It has been shown to be more effective than most materials in providing sustained occupation and reducing pig directed negative behaviors and vices (The University of Newcastle, 2003). Pigs seem to prefer long straw provided via a rack, spending longer periods in contact with the straw and exhibit less negative behavior to others compared to when chopped straw is given via a dispenser (Bulens et al., 2015) .

Nest Building and Maternal Behavior

Farrowing environment and the opportunity to construct a nest are two important behavioral requirements (Damm et al., 2003). Behavior during nest building and farrowing is related to the general reaction pattern during stress, especially in inexperienced gilts, and since the performance reflects an innate pattern of reaction in the individual, it can be modified by the environment and previous experience (Thodberg et al, 2002a). A stimulating farrowing environment has been shown to improve maternal behavior (Thodberg et al, 2002b). In extensive circumstances, maternal behavior in the peripartal period will have a much greater effect on piglet survival than in intensive conditions (Boe, 1993).

Rooting Behavior

A nose ring is normally inserted into the septum (the cartilage between the nasal cavities), as shown here, or the flat disc of cartilage at the end of the pig’s snout

Rooting behavior appears to be an important part of the behavioral repertoire, a rewarding experience and perhaps a behavioral need (Studnitz et al., 2003). The pigs’ natural inclination to root can also provide a useful cultivation and weeding tool (Lund and Weary, 2004). However, rooting can also lead to environmental damage. There are apparently no real differences between rotational and set-stocked systems with regard to levels of rooting, foraging and feeding behavior (Day et al., 2003).

Keeping pigs on the right soil type and the use of rotational grazing is key to the exploitation of the former and minimizing the impact of the latter. A system of integrating pigs into a crop rotation is described by Lund and Weary (2004) whereby a once a year farrowing herd is moved periodically within a crop rotation program. See also Outdoor Access for more on integrating pigs into crop rotations.

Under semi-natural conditions, sows spend 10-20% of their active time rooting. The welfare consequences of rooting deprivation depend on the motivation of the behavior (Studnitz and Jensen, 2002). Levels of rooting behavior are flexible in response to nutritional needs. Restricting feed levels to 70 or 80% of appetite can lead to a significant increase in active rooting and in non-rooting activity during peak periods (Beattie and O’Connell, 2002).

Although the provision of root crops can reduce rooting behavior, this is not an exclusive determinant of paddock damage, and cannot be recommended as the sole alternative to nose-ringing (Edge et al., 2005). Manipulation of edible substrates may substitute for rooting behavior in outdoor sows. Sows that received silage as overground enrichment spend less time rooting the paddock (Edge et al., 2004).

Sows have a preference for peat and branches as rooting materials compared with straw, chopped or otherwise  (Pedersen et al., 2005).

Nose Ringing

Refer to AWA document on Nose Ringing Pigs

In the wild pig under natural conditions, aggression and fighting is not common and normally occurs between competing males or when food is concentrated in few places during certain times of the year (photo from http://circleranchtx.com/)

Social Behavior

Social behavior is highly developed in pigs. Within hours, newborn piglets begin to form social dominance relationships with littermates and eventually a stable hierarchy is formed. In the wild pig under natural conditions, aggression and fighting is not common and normally occurs between competing males or when food is concentrated in few places during certain times of the year.

Additional information on Pig Behavior can be found at http://www.animalbehaviour.net/pigs/