Effect of Creep Partitions on Teat-Seeking Behavior of Newborn Piglets

Abstract

In the first of two studies on teat-seeking behavior of newborn pigs, latencies from birth to first mammary contact (LMC) and to first suckle (LS) were recorded by live observation (n = 66). LMC accounted for 66% of LS and variances were similar between these two measures, suggesting that LMC is a good predictor of time to first suckle. In a second experiment, 32 litters of pigs were farrowed in crates equipped with either solid, vertically slatted, horizontally slatted or diamond mesh creep partitions. Piglet behavior following parturition was recorded via time-lapse videotape. LMC was determined for each piglet and movements were plotted for four focal pigs/litter. Partition type did not affect LMC (mean = 34 min). LMC was significantly affected by number of littermates present during teat-seeking (P less than .001), birth order (P less than .001) and frequency of position changes by the sow (r = .26, P less than .01). Neither sex nor birth weight affected LMC on a within-litter basis, but across litters smaller pigs had greater contact latencies (r = -.38, P less than .001). Partition type did not affect distance traveled or time spent in contact with the sow, in contact with the creep partitions,, free standing or the total of these. LMC was positively correlated (P less than .05) with contact time with the sow (r = .34) and time behind the sow's back (r = .38) and negatively correlated with time spent free standing (r = -.35, P less than .05) and in contact with the sow's rear legs (r = -.29; P less than .10).