Behavioral analysis and productive performance of piglets in the post-weaning phase in enriched environments

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of environmental enrichment on the behavior and productive performance of castrated piglets, both males and females, from 21 to 35 days of age. For this, 45 animals were randomly distributed in three treatments (control, environmental enrichment with pet bottle, and suspended rope), five replicates, and three animals per experimental unit. The experiment lasted 14 days, with 30 minutes of daily observation, and the observations were performed by the focal animal and behavior relative sampling. The data were recorded about the interactions with the objects, stereotypes, social and agonistic interactions, and animal activities. The productive performance was assessed by weighing three animals of the experimental unit, and their feed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. We evaluated the daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion. A descriptive analysis of the behavioral data was performed. The performance data were evaluated by analysis of variance. The comparison between the treatments was performed by Tukey test at 5% probability. Animals that received either the pet bottle or the suspended rope did not show a significant difference in social, agonistic, and physiologist interactions, but the results showed a significant difference in ludic interactions. Animals that did not receive any environmental enrichment displayed higher rates of stereotypes and aggressive behaviors. There was no effect (p > 0.05) of the treatments on the daily weight gain, daily feed intake, and feed conversion. Environmental enrichment improves the welfare of piglets by increasing physiological, social, and playful behaviors (positive), and decreasing stereotypy and agonistic behaviors (negative), but it does not influence the productive performance of animals.