Abstract
Simple SummaryUnderstanding the natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions facilitates the interpretation of their behaviour in intensive conditions. The present study aims to study behavioural indicators of activity in the domestic pig, reared free-range and under two feeding regimes, with some help from humans with concentrates and without help, just eating natural resources. Results confirmed that exploratory behaviour was an important behaviour for pigs, but the same animals that dedicated 50% of their time to this activity when they were not fed by humans reduced this activity to 17.8% when they were fed with concentrates. In addition, few social contacts between animals were seen in extensive conditions, with a higher incidence of negative rather than positive social behaviour. It was concluded that: (1) the need for exploring the surroundings in natural environments is of less importance for pigs when they are fed by humans, and (2) bathing areas in outdoor conditions are important for pigs in the event of warm conditions. Overall, it is concluded that natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions, such as a reduced foraging behaviour when pigs are fed with concentrates, should be considered when interpreting behavioural needs in intensive conditions.Understanding the natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions facilitates interpretation of their behaviour in intensive conditions. Studying six different farms over two years at different seasons, with climatic and management variations, allowed for a general description of Iberian pig behaviour and which factors have an influence on it. The main activity found was resting (56.5% of the time observed), followed by exploratory behaviour. However, this exploratory behaviour was higher when animals were fed only with natural resources than when fed with concentrates (50% versus 17.8%, respectively). In addition, pigs used bathing areas in summer that were not visited in winter. Negative social behaviour was seen more frequently than positive social behaviour, accounting, in total, for 1% of the total activity of animals. Pigs situated at the centre of the groups tended to remain more relaxed, while the peripheral animals remained more alert and vigilant. Our results indicate that foraging behaviour accounts for a significant proportion of pigs’ active time, but this proportion is much more reduced when pigs are fed concentrates. Therefore, behavioural needs in pigs reared in intensive conditions should consider that exploratory behaviour is reduced when pigs are fed with concentrates.
Highlights
The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed, bred in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) [1] for high-quality meat products
Bathing and drinking were affected by the montanera
Bathing was observed in 5.5% of the observations outside of the montanera period, and never during this period
Summary
The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed, bred in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) [1] for high-quality meat products. In the traditional production system, Iberian piglets are weaned at two months old, and they are usually mixed in large pastures In these areas, they are given concentrate at the same time as getting natural resources for several months, until reaching around 90–115 kg of body weight [2]. In winter, when the acorns from the oaks (Quercus ilex) and cork oaks (Quercus suber) fall, pigs eat only the acorns and other natural products like tubers, fungi or roots from the dehesa pastures This late fattening phase at the dehesa is called “montanera” and the pigs must gain their last 50–60 kg based only on that type of food source [4]. Iberian pigs are usually slaughtered at 14–24 months of age, with a body weight of
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