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Aggression in group housed sows and fattening pigs

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posted on 2023-05-24, 05:04 authored by Megan VerdonMegan Verdon, Rault, J-L
High levels or prolonged aggression continue to be a major welfare issue for commercial pig farming, although it is predominantly seen over the first few hours to few days after mixing unfamiliar pigs. Aggression is influenced by numerous animal, management and housing factors. This chapter covers the aggression of group housed sows during gestation and of pigs from the weaner to the finisher stages. After providing an overview of the basis of aggression and dominance hierarchy in pigs, the scientific knowledge and relative importance of various factors on the prevalence of aggression are reviewed: time after mixing, age and previous experience of the animal, group composition (familiarity, size), feeding regimen, feed delivery, and housing design (space, stocking density, environmental enrichment). The conclusions offer avenue for future research.

History

Publication title

Advances in Pig Welfare

Editors

M Spinka

Pagination

235-260

ISBN

9780081010129

Department/School

Regional Partnerships

Publisher

Woodhead Publishing

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Extent

16

Rights statement

Copyright 2018 Elsevier

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Pigs; Animal welfare

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