Perforated-floor preference of weanling pigs

Abstract

Groups of 4 weanling pigs were placed for 1 h in a 1.22 × 1.22 m pen which had a different floor type in each quadrant. The 4 perforated floors were: expanded metal, plastic-coated expanded metal, fiberglass slats, and molded plastic. The floor on which the pigs stood or lay was noted at 1-min intervals during the first 60 min of exposure to the floors at ambient temperatures of 18 or 27°C. Time spent standing was relatively constant for all floors and appeared to represent the time required for pigs to make an initial choice concerning the floor on which to lie. Pigs spent much more time (P<0.05) on the plastic-coated expanded metal than on the other 3 floors, which did not differ significantly. It was concluded that time spent lying was the best single indicator of overall preference for a floor type. Pigs lay down earlier at 27°C than at 18°C, with the consequence that the time spent on the plastic-coated expanded metal was increased (P<0.05). The reasons for the choice by the pigs have not been elucidated, but weaned pigs can quickly make clear-cut decisions about their initial preference when simultaneously offered 4 different floor types.