University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Anja Eichinger
(2016):
Quantitative und qualitative Verhaltensparameter von Jungsauen in einem standardisierten Annäherungstest und deren Zusammenhang mit der Aufzuchtleistung.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften (NUWI),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 84.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- Especially around farrowing the reaction of sows towards humans is crucial. The voluntary human approach test (VHAT) is one method to assess fear towards humans; qualitative aspects are able to provide important additional information. In total 83 gilts were subjected to a three minute VHAT. Behaviour was assessed by direct observation of quantitative parameters (e.g. latency to approach, number of physical interactions). Video recording was analysed via qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) by 15 observers using “Free-Choice-Profiling”. For dimension 1 (44,4 % of variation explained), low values were associated with terms such as offensive/perky and high values with terms such as observant/cautious. Dimension 2 explained 30,1 % of the variation and was described by terms such as nervous/desperate to interested/relaxed. Gilts which spent more time outside a 1m radius were assessed as observant/cautious and nervous/desperate. Observant/cautious gilts needed more time to approach the test person and showed less physical interactions. Gilts, which interacted more frequently and spent more time close to the test person were assessed as interested/relaxed and offensive/perky. Total piglet losses and number of crushed piglets were higher in gilts needing longer to approach and showing less physical interactions. In contrast to this there were no significant correlations between qualitative parameters from the arena test and productivity data. In conclusion, QBA is able to provide useful additional information on the behaviour of gilts during a VHAT. Latency to approach the human differentiates between offensive/perky and observant/cautious (Dimension 1), but does not provide information on the level of fear, which is thought to be more reflected in Dimension 2. However, only quantitative parameters within the VHAT were associated with productivity parameters from the first litter; it could therefore be an appropriate method to select gilts due to their productivity.
- Beurteilende(r): Winckler Christoph
- 1.Mitwirkender: Leeb Christine