A sequential analysis of eliminative behaviour in domestic pigs

Abstract

Knowledge of eliminative behaviour in pigs is of much importance for the design of housing systems in order to minimise soiling of the lying area. In the present study, piglets, fatteners, finishers and sows were observed as focal animals at regularly used dunging areas in a highly structured housing system (Family Pen System). A total of 53, 136, 272 and 277 focal animal samples, respectively, of the four categories of animals were included in the analysis. Statistically significant transitions ( P < 0.0025) between behavioural elements were identified by means of a sequential analysis. The typical sequence of behavioural elements was as follows: Enter dunging area, sniff, posture, defaecate/urinate, sniff. Both for defaecation and urination the percentage of sniffs classified as ‘close to wall’ was significantly higher before than after eliminative behaviour whereas the percentage of sniffs classified as ‘close to floor’ was significantly lower before than after eliminative behaviour. Our results show that sniffing behaviour is temporally associated with eliminative behaviour in pigs.