University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Kerstin Margarethe Christine Aper
(2016):
Einfluss von Beschäftigungsmaterial und Besatzdichte auf Schwanz- und Ohrbeißen bei Saug- und Aufzuchtferkeln.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Nutztierwissenschaften (NUWI),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 88.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- It was the aim of this study to investigate how access to additional exploration material (hay in a rack additional to sisal rope) effects abnormal behaviour such as manipulation of tail or ear and injuries resulting thereof in unweaned and weaned piglets. In addition, effects of a reduced stocking density (up to 30kg-0.50m2/animal) was examined for weaners. Exploration material of control groups was a sisal rope partially lying on the floor, while the experimental groups got a sisal rope and hay in a rack. The piglets were weaned at an age of 4 weeks and were allocated to two groups with stocking density according to legal minimum requirements or at reduced stocking density. Suckling piglets of the control groups (no hay) showed more manipulations of tails, ears and at the rest of the body than experimental groups (with hay). Manipulation of the exploration material was higher in groups with hay, while penmates were less manipulated. In weaners, neither the exploration material nor stocking density had a significant effect on the frequency of manipulation of tails. Manipulations of the ear were significantly higher in the control groups (no hay). Weaner groups without hay had numerically more tail injuries. Deeper wounds (with blood) occurred predominantly at the end of the weaner period. Groups with standard stocking density exhibited more injuries than groups with reduced stocking density. The present results suggest that use of exploration material from birth on together with regular monitoring of the animals and inspection of tails and ears can reduce the incidence of tail injuries in rearing piglets.
- Beurteilende(r): Winckler Christoph
- 1.Mitwirkender: Leeb Christine