Developmental and territorial aspects of suckling behaviour in the domestic pig (Sus scrofa f. domestica)

Abstract

The suckling behaviour of 327 piglets from 39 litters of primiparous domestic sows Sus scrofa f. domestica was analysed regarding the development of territorial suckling consistency during a 5-week suckling period. Additionally, the consistent use of a certain teat pair (1±7) during the whole suckling period was related to weight gain within the suckling period and to social dominance after weaning and mixing of the piglets. The piglets increased their suckling stability consistent with a three-parametric exponential model delivering a time-dependency that is typical for learning curves and which may be a useful methodological approach for studies on behavioural ontogeny. Thus, the development of suckling stability can be regarded as a continuous learning process. After extremely rapid learning within the ®rst 4 days of life a moderate increase of suckling consistency with ®nal stabilization occurred within the second week. After this time, the piglets maintained a high suckling consistency of about 95% up to the end of the observed suckling period. The anterior teats were preferred, whereas piglets suckling at the posterior teats showed a tendency to have lower weight gains and poorer dominance values. However, the lowest suckling stability (consistency) was found with piglets occupying the middle teats. The study shows that individual differences (e.g. weight gain, position in a social hierarchy) have their roots in early ontogenetic characteristics of the neonates (e.g. suckling behaviour, physical strength). The results are discussed with regard to ®ndings and interpretations of behavioural ontogeny in pigs.

Welfare assessment in transgenic pigs expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP)

“…Animals of both genotypes in the present study showed a high teat pair and udder region fidelity when observed, indicating that a stable teat order had been established by the age of 2 weeks. Udder region use has been linked to weight gain and dominance in piglets with animals suckling posterior teats tending to grow slower and being less dominant (Puppe and Tuchscherer 1999;Litten et al 2003). In the present study, GFP piglets do not appear to be disadvantaged in the access to the anterior udder region.…”

“…A teat order study was performed 14 days of age as by then the teat order has been established and teat fidelity is high (Puppe and Tuchscherer 1999;Litten et al 2003). The piglets were individually numbered with a non toxic marker pen on forehead ( Supplementary Fig.…”

Within-litter variation in birth weight: impact of nutritional status in the sow

“…However, per kg body weight, milk consumption does not appear to differ between IUGR and normal-weight piglets (Rezaei et al, 2011). Offspring that obtain milk from anterior and middle mammary glands (MGs) grow faster than those suckling posterior MG (Puppe and Tuchscherer, 1999;Kim et al, 2000). Besides the greater amount of colostrum and milk from anterior and middle MGs (Gill and Thomson, 1956), we reported that components in colostrum and milk secreted by anterior and posterior MGs are also distinctive (Wu W.Z.…”

Fighting by Kittens and Piglets during Suckling: What Does it Mean?

“…Piglets frequently change teats during the first hours after birth and, like kittens, demonstrate consistent individual use of particular nipples by day three but with a preference for anterior positions (McBride ; Hemsworth et al. ; Puppe & Tuchscherer ).…”