Environmental enrichment improves the performance and behavior of piglets in the nursery phase

R.F Oliveira,C.S Pizzutto,T.P Bonaparte,R.L Costa,I.P Santos,J.P Molino,E.T Silva Júnior,R.T.R.N Soares

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-8253

Abstract

In modern pig farming, the search for systems that promote environmental quality and welfare is an important issue. In this sense, the present study evaluated the effects of environmental enrichment on the performance and behavior of piglets. In a completely randomized block design, 32 piglets (7.43kg mean weight), weaned at 28 days of age, were distributed into four treatments (control without enrichment, environmental enrichment with wood shavings as bedding; environmental enrichment with hanging toys and environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys). Four repetitions were performed for each treatment, with two animals per experimental unit. The instant scan sampling technique was used to record the behavior of each piglet for 20h. Animals receiving environmental enrichment with wood shavings + hanging toys were heavier at 70 days (P=0.02), exhibited higher total and daily weight gain (P=0.04 and P=0.02, respectively) and better feed conversion (P=0.02). Environmental enrichment increased the interaction of animals with the environment, allowing them to exhibit natural behaviors.

Highlights

Animal welfare jointly with environmental and food safety will be one of the major challenges of agriculture in coming years (Rollin, 1995; Hotzel, 2005)
According to Tab. 2, there was no significant effect (P> 0.05), compared with the position of the animals, but there was no effect (P
The data shows an interaction of the animals with enrichment (P

Summary

Introduction

Animal welfare jointly with environmental and food safety will be one of the major challenges of agriculture in coming years (Rollin, 1995; Hotzel, 2005). According to the European Commission policy (98/93), pig investigated and handled in scientific research must have permanent access to sufficient amount of suitable materials (e.g. straw, hay, wood, sawdust, mushroom compost, peat) that do not compromise their health. The addition of these materials to animal environment consists of environmental enrichment, which principle is to increase the life quality under captivity conditions by identifying and using environmental stimuli necessary to promote animals with psychological and physiological welfare (Shepherdson, 1998; Young, 2003). Providing enrichment after weaning may facilitate the weaning process for piglets by giving distraction and has the potential to reduce the cortisol response to weaning (Beattie et al, 2000; Dudink et al, 2006; Fraser et al, 1991; Moncek et al, 2004)

Methods

Results

Conclusion