Environmental enrichment influences on pig behavior, performance, and meat quality

Date

1997-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

The influence of five treatments varying in environmental enrichment level were evaluated for effects on performance, behavior and carcass characteristics in 320 pigs from weaning to slaughter. Eight rephcations were evaluated, four rephcations were PIC C15 X 405 cross widch is a commonly employed commercial hybrid in the US swine industry and four rephcations were of a PIC EXP-94 X 405 cross (one-eighth Meishan). The EXP-94 is an ejq)erimental line developed to determine the efficacy of introducing the Meishan breed into the US swine industry. Animals were randomly allotted at weaning (28 days) and were housed m groups of eight pigs per pen. Pigs remamed m the nursery four weeks, then were moved to the grower-finisher facility. The live animal evaluation was conq)leted when the rephcate average weight reached 113 kgs.

The five environmental treatments were isolation (NEG), weekly normal handling (NOR), daily normal handling plus the addition of environmental enrichment devices (TOYS), daily normal handhng plus two minute pleasant handling bouts with humans five days per week (HUM), and daily normal handling with maximum environmental enrichment including environmental enrichment devices plus the two minute pleasant handling bouts with humans five days per week.

Analysis of pig growth and performance included average daily gain, feed intake, feed:gain ratio and mortahty. Behavioral analysis was accon^lished through a 24 hour video analysis of home pen behavior (lying, feeding, drinking, hose interaction, and cham interaction) at 50 and 165 days of age. A two minute standardized human-interaction test was conducted immediately prior to the movmg of annuals from the nursery facility and immediately prior to the final weigh session. During the final weigh session animals were evaluated for movement and loading scores, and rated for evidence of deviant social behaviors including ear and tail biting.

Description

Keywords

Swine, Pork

Citation