Effects of the environmental enrichment on pigs’ behavior and performance

Abstract

The study evaluates the influence of environmental enrichment on behavior, leucometry, and performance of commercial pigs. Thirty-two hybrid pigs (Landrace × Large White × Pietran), at 69 days of life, were divided into four groups and subjected to different environmental stimuli: concrete floor, with no enrichment (C); floor bedding with wood chips (CM); concrete floor, with mobiles (MO); floor bedding with wood chips and the presence of mobile (CM + MO). The study collected behavioral data of the animals during 84 days, through the growing and finishing phases, each lasting 42 days, assessing the animals' position and behavior by the instantaneous scan sampling method. The animals received ad libitum water and a specially formulated feed following the nutritional requirements for growing and finishing phases. The study considered daily feed intake, daily weight gain, and feed conversion. Group CM in the growing phase showed prolonged standing position periods and demonstrated a greater exploration of their environment (2.1%). Groups MO and CM + MO, in the growing phase, demonstrated extended periods of interaction with the offered enrichments (10.8±2.1 and 9.1±2.8%, respectively). Piglets in the finishing phase housed in pens with floor bedding with wood chips and those housed in pens with floor bedding with wood chips and the presence of mobile (tires and chains) showed longer interaction time with enrichments (4.8 and 5.4%, respectively), compared with the other groups C and Mo. Group C remained overall the longest in a standing position in both breeding phases. There was no effect on the animals' leukogram. Environmental enrichment with wood shavings (as beddings) and hanging mobiles improves behavioral aspects of piglets in the growing and finishing periods.

Global Overview of Environmental Enrichment Studies: What Has Been Done and Future Directions

“…For example, our study showed that structural enrichment has been the most widely used for farm animals, such as domestic pigs ( Sus scofra ). Structural or physical enrichment, which consists of introducing objects into the enclosure, such as hiding places, sprinklers, logs, and brushes, has been widely used in pig facilities, especially the provision of straw for pregnant sows, a technique used to reduce unwanted behaviour and increase the frequency of lactation [ 58 , 59 ]. Structural items, as previously mentioned, are the most practical to implement due to their low labour requirements [ 5 ] and, if thought through correctly, can provide high levels of welfare for confined animals, increasing production [ 60 ].…”

Alleviating Heat Stress in Fattening Pigs: Low-Intensity Showers in Critical Hours Alter Body External Temperature, Feeding Pattern, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality Characteristics

“…High demand for the feeder during peak hours leads to small displacements and shorter feeding visits [ 9 ]. Therefore, an HS situation during most light hours leads to high demand for feeder occupation during the coolest light hours and a moderate increase in night hour intake, which altogether does not allow fully compensation of daily intake [ 10 ].…”