Degree of synchrony based on individual observations underlines the importance of concurrent access to enrichment materials in finishing pigs

Zwicker, Bettina; Weber, Roland; Wechsler, Beat; Gygax, Lorenz

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2015.08.037

Cited by 12 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…We could attempt to pick apart these mechanisms by tracking the spread of a behaviour within the group using continuous sampling techniques, and we could record the spatial position and orientation of individuals along with their proximity of potentially influencing environmental factors. However, without intentional experimental manipulation, it is unclear whether there are predictable differences that separate the possible mechanisms causing the synchronisation behaviour that we observed, and we call for more sophisticated experiments and analytical techniques (such as those described in 44 – 49 ) that would allow us to tease apart the mechanisms causing spatial synchronisation in groups. Any experimental manipulation of either wild resting groups or their environment is not a trivial task: the effects of social composition could be investigated using managed groups where individuals are identifiable and can be removed, whilst the effects of perceived predation risk and disturbance could be investigated by manipulating cover or cues that indicate predator presence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Black-headed gulls synchronise their activity with their nearest neighbours

Evans

Lihou

Rands

2018

Sci Rep

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Animals in groups can benefit from synchronising their behaviour, where multiple individuals conduct similar activities at the same moment in time. Previous studies have demonstrated that some species show synchronisation of vigilance behaviour, but have not explored the mechanism driving this behaviour. Synchronisation could be driven by animals copying their closest neighbours, which would mean that close proximity should lead to increased synchronisation. We simultaneously observed the behaviour of multiple individual black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) within resting groups, and compared the activity of a focal individual with its two closest neighbours and a randomly selected control individual. Focal individuals were more likely to be synchronised with their closest neighbour. Synchronisation became less likely if individuals were not the closest neighbour. This suggests that synchronisation seen within groups is dependent upon the spatial positions of its members, and black-headed gulls pay more attention to their closest neighbours.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Black-headed gulls synchronise their activity with their nearest neighbours

Evans

Lihou

Rands

2018

Sci Rep

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“…Another potential reason for the lack of treatment effects in tail and ear biting is that even if tail and ear biting were reduced in the experimental group, that effect may have been cancelled out by a simultaneous increase in tail and ear biting caused by competition over the limited number of objects. Pigs are motivated to explore and forage synchronously (Docking et al, 2008) and if the quantity of material is insufficient for simultaneous use, the pigs without access can redirect their motivation for manipulation at other pigs (Zwicker et al 2015). Too small a quantity of highly desirable objects can also cause biting due to competition (Van de Perre et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pigs with but not without access to pieces of recently harvested wood show reduced pen-mate manipulation after a provision of feed and straw

Telkänranta

Valros

2020

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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In barren environments of commercial farms, pig often redirect their rooting and chewing behaviours at other pigs, which can lead to tail biting. When materials such as straw are provided, the quantity is usually too small to have an effect. The aim of this study was to test whether small provisions of straw and species-relevant point-source objects would have an additive effect in reducing pen-mate manipulation. The animals were 167 gilts with undocked tails on a commercial farm in Finland, housed in 12-m2 pens with partly slatted floors, on average 7 pigs/pen. Liquid feed and 20 g/pig of long straw were provided once a day. The pigs had continuous access to suspended objects: in each control pen (N = 12), a 40 cm x 10 cm x 2 cm piece of commercially sourced wooden board and a 60-cm metal chain, and in each experimental pen (N = 12), an 80-cm piece and two 40-cm pieces of birch trees with a diameter of 5 to 7 cm, harvested 1 month earlier. After 2 months of exposure, frequencies of pig-and object-directed manipulation before and after consuming the feed and straw were recorded by continuous observation on video. Pre-consumption pig-directed manipulation did not differ between the treatments (means: 39.3 events/pig/hour (SD = 11.7) in the experimental pens and 42.1 events/pig/hour (SD = 12.1) in the control pens; t = -0.6, df = 21, P > 0.1), but post-consumption manipulation was significantly lower in frequency in the experimental treatment (means: 31.5 events/pig/hour (SD = 10.4) in the experimental pens and 41.0 events/pig/hour (SD = 8.6) in the control pens; t = 2.4, df = 21, P < 0.05). Object-directed manipulation was higher in the experimental treatment both pre-and post-consumption (preconsumption medians: 9.7 events/pig/hour (min = 2.0, max = 14.9) in the experimental pens and 3.1 events/pig/hour (min = 0.9, max = 13.7) in the control pens (U = 18.5, P < 0.01); post-consumption means: 9.2 events/hour/pig (SD = 2.7) in the experimental pens and 4.8 events/pig/hour (SD = 2.0) in the control pens (t = 4.5, df = 20, P < 0.001). It was concluded that the experimental objects with improved material, quantity, shape and location had an additive effect with straw in reducing pen-mate manipulation, whereas objects ordinarily used on the farm had no beneficial effect. Further research is needed on the effects of the odour, taste and consistency of optimal objects. Keywords Enrichment; Manipulable materials; Fresh wood; Exploratory behaviour; Oral-nasal manipulation; Pig welfare Highlights We tested whether improvements in available objects reduced oral behaviours at pen-mates..In pens with pieces of recently harvested wood, receiving feed and a small daily provision of straw reduced manipulation of pigs.In pens with pieces of dry wood and metal chain, receiving feed and a small daily provision of straw increased ear manipulation.

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“…If point-source enrichment is too small or of limited quantity, this will restrict availability [92], especially when grouped pigs synchronise their interactions with enrichment [36,93]. Limited accessibility to enrichment materials or objects may lead to social competition, aggression or restlessness and the redirection of exploration behaviour to pen structures or pen mates [93]. Distributing enrichments throughout a pen will help to reduce any negative effects of social status in sows [27] and reduce displacements [94].…”

Section: Pig Enrichment In Global Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Providing Effective Environmental Enrichment to Pigs: How Far Have We Come?

Weerd¹,

Ison

2019

Animals

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Science has defined the characteristics of effective environmental enrichment for pigs. We provide an overview of progress towards the provision of pig enrichment in the three largest global pork producing regions. In the USA, enrichment has not yet featured on the policy agenda, nor appeared on farms, except when required by certain farm assurance schemes. China has very limited legal animal welfare provisions and public awareness of animal welfare is very low. Food safety concerns severely restrict the use of substrates (as enrichment) on farms. Providing enrichment to pigs is a legal requirement in the EU. In practice, enrichment is not present, or simple (point-source) objects are provided which have no enduring value. Other common issues are the provision of non-effective or hazardous objects, inadequate presentation, location, quantity and size or inadequate maintenance of enrichment. Improvements can be made by applying principles from the field of experimental analysis of behaviour to evaluate the effectiveness of enrichment; providing welfare knowledge transfer, including training and advisory services; highlighting the economic benefits of effective enrichment and focusing on return on investment; increasing pressure from the financial sector; using novel drivers of change, such as public business benchmarking. The poor implementation of scientific knowledge on farms suggests that the pig industry has not fully embraced the benefits of effective enrichment and is still a long way off achieving an enriched pig population.

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Degree of synchrony based on individual observations underlines the importance of concurrent access to enrichment materials in finishing pigs

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

Black-headed gulls synchronise their activity with their nearest neighbours

Black-headed gulls synchronise their activity with their nearest neighbours

Pigs with but not without access to pieces of recently harvested wood show reduced pen-mate manipulation after a provision of feed and straw

Providing Effective Environmental Enrichment to Pigs: How Far Have We Come?

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