258 (ABHWB)
The effects of socializing piglets prior to weaning on piglet performance
The mixing of piglets from different litters after weaning causes aggression and a reduction in potential piglet performance levels. This study sought to reduce piglet aggression due to mixing of litters by evaluating the effects of socializing piglets prior to weaning on average daily gain (ADG) and piglet behavior. A farrowing room with 6 pens was used and data was obtained from 23 sows and their litters. The solid barriers between 3 farrowing pens were removed on d 12 after farrowing and the barriers remained separating the other 3 farrowing pens until weaning of all piglets on d 21 after birth. Each piglet (n=240) was weighed daily from d 14 to d 21 after birth and activity continually recorded using surveillance video from d 12 to d 21 after birth. The behavior of piglets (lying, active, suckling, and agonistic) was recorded by 10 observers using digital video playback. The duration of a behavior was timed and recorded when 75% or more of the piglets were engaging in a specific behavior during the elapsed time period. The ADG of socialized piglets at d 14 after birth (0.25 ± 0.01 kg) was not different than those piglets that were not socialized until weaning at d 21 after birth (0.23 ± 0.01 kg). Socialized piglets spent a significantly shorter (P < 0.05) amount of time lying down (17.51 ± 0.29 h) during the first 24 h following barrier removal compared to all other times. There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in agonistic behavior between piglets during the first 2 d following barrier removal compared to all other times. There was no significant difference between the amount of agonistic behavior recorded in piglets between d 1 (0.06 ± 0.01 h) and d 2 (0.05 ± 0.01 h) of barrier removal. The results of this study suggest that socializing piglets beginning at d 14 after birth leads to an increase in temporary aggressive behavior in piglets; however, this behavior does not affect the performance of the piglets by d 21 after birth.
Keywords: piglets, behavior, socializing