Behaviour of fattening pigs in a labyrinth pen with environmental variation

Abstract

Social interactions and the use of feeders, water nipples and a shower were recorded for 8 pigs in an experimental pen. The incidence rate of the total number of social interactions was highest (3.55 per 15 pig-minutes) in the water supply section and lowest in the straw section (1.97 per 15 pig-minutes). The nose-to-nose activity was highest in the water supply section and lowest in the feeder section. The nose-to-body activity was highest in the water supply section and lowest in the straw section. The bite to and to head knock were highest in the feeder section and lowest in the straw section. Nearly all defaecation took place in the left corridor outside the entrance to the water supply section and in the shower part of the water supply section. During light hours, the pigs spent relatively most of the time in the feeder section (47% of the possible observed pig-minutes) and the shortest time in the water supply section (17% of the possible observed pig-minutes). The pigs used the feeders during the entire 24 h with the lowest activity between 2 and 6 h, and peaks at 7 and 17 h. Similarly the water nipples were used during the entire 24 h with low activity between 4 and 8 h, and peaks at 10-12, 18 and 21 h. The shower was only used during the light hours with peaks at 11 and 16-18 h.