Changes in Stereotypies: Effects over Time and over Generations

Abstract

Stereotypies comprise a wide range of repeated and apparently functionless behaviors that develop in individuals whose neural condition or environment results in poor welfare. While stereotypies are an indicator of poor welfare at the time of occurrence, they may have various consequences. Environmental enrichment modifies causal factors and reduces the occurrence of stereotypies, providing evidence that stereotypies are an indicator of poor welfare. However, stereotypy occurrence and consequences change over time. Furthermore, there are complex direct and epigenetic effects when mother mammals that are kept in negative conditions do or do not show stereotypies. It is proposed that, when trying to deal with challenging situations, stereotypies might initially help animals to cope. After further time in the conditions, the performance of the stereotypy may impair brain function and change brain connections, neurophysiology and eventually neuroanatomy. It is possible that reported neuroanatomical changes are an effect of the stereotypy rather than a cause.

Adult Ossabaw Pigs Prefer Fermented Sorghum Tea over Isocaloric Sweetened Water

“…For example, the total amount of time spent in the pod with the blended tea was greater than the positive control, and the total amount of time the head was in the bowl was greater than the positive control, even though the blended tea had a 50-fold increase in gallic acid. As mentioned previously, the acid byproducts from fermentation increases the amount of sour, bitter, and astringent mouthfeel [55,56,70,71]. The results of the current study are in contrast to the assumption that all pigs will reject these added flavors.…”