Risky behaviors performed by the piglet 72 hours after parturition that can contribute to pre-weaning mortality when housed in farrowing huts

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2009-01-01
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Garvey, J. R.
Sadler, L. J.
Morrow, J. L.
Stalder, K. J.
McGlone, J. J.
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Johnson, Anna
Professor Animal Behavior and Welfare
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Stalder, Kenneth
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Animal Science

The Department of Animal Science originally concerned itself with teaching the selection, breeding, feeding and care of livestock. Today it continues this study of the symbiotic relationship between animals and humans, with practical focuses on agribusiness, science, and animal management.

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The Department of Animal Husbandry was established in 1898. The name of the department was changed to the Department of Animal Science in 1962. The Department of Poultry Science was merged into the department in 1971.

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Abstract

The objective was to compare the behavior of loose-housed outdoor litters that had one or more piglet mortalities (CR; n=4) compared to litters where no mortalities occurred (NC; n=4). The litter of piglets was observed using 10-min scan samples over 72 h from birth and individual piglets were continually observed 1 h prior to death. Postures, nursing, unknown, location within the hut, and vicinity to the sow were determined. There were no differences observed for any measures 1 h before a piglet's death. There were no differences for treatment or day by treatment over the 72 h for behaviors or vicinity to sow. There was a day effect with piglets becoming more inactive and nursing less often from d1 to d3. There was a day effect for vicinity to sow with piglets spending less time by the sow over the 3 d. Few behavioral differences were observed between treatments.

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This article is published as Johnson, A. K., J. R. Garvey, L. J. Sadler, A. M. Meiszberg, J. L. Morrow, K. J. Stalder, and J. J. McGlone. "Risky behaviors performed by the piglet 72 hours after parturition that can contribute to pre-weaning mortality when housed in farrowing huts." Acta Agriculturae Scand Section A 59, no. 1 (2009): 53-58. doi: 10.1080/09064700902988913.

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