The Effects of Pen Size and Design, Bedding, Rooting Material and Ambient Factors on Pen and Pig Cleanliness and Air Quality in Fattening Pig Houses.

There are several environmental and ambient factors that can affect pig eliminative behaviour. The aim of this survey was to investigate factors related to the physical and ambient environment that have the strongest effects on pig and pen cleanliness and ammonia concentration. Data were collected from 87 pig farms and analysed using mixed (ammonia concentration) or generalized linear (pen and pig cleanliness) model in SAS.

Search Behavior in Goat () Kids From Mothers Kept at Different Animal Densities Throughout Pregnancy.

Individual differences in cognitive performance are often reported but factors related to variation within species are rarely addressed. Goats have been subjects of many cognitive studies recently but without focus on individual variation. Among others, factors such as prenatal stress and sex of the individual have been proposed as possible explanations for individual variation in cognitive skills.

Sow communication with piglets while being active is a good predictor of maternal skills, piglet survival and litter quality in three different breeds of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus).

Maternal care behaviour is crucial for offspring quality and survival in pigs. Defining care is therefore essential for ensuring the welfare of pigs and sustainability of pig production. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sow nest building, communication with piglets (sniffing, nudging, grunting) during resting and activity, and piglet survival in three different sow breeds: a maternal line selected for high weaned pig production (Landrace), a paternal line selected for meat traits (Duroc), and a crossbred line (Landrace and Yorkshire).

Density-Dependent Spacing Behaviour and Activity Budget in Pregnant, Domestic Goats (Capra hircus).

Very little is known about the spacing behaviour in social groups of domestic goats (Capra hircus) in the farm environment. In this experiment, we studied interindividual distances, movement patterns and activity budgets in pregnant goats housed at three different densities. Norwegian dairy goats were kept in stable social groups of six animals throughout pregnancy at 1, 2 or 3 m2 per individual and their spacing behaviours (i.

The effects of prenatal stocking densities on the fear responses and sociality of goat (Capra hircus) kids.

Prenatal stress (stress experienced by a pregnant mother) and its effects on offspring have been comprehensively studied but relatively little research has been done on how prenatal social stress affects farm animals such as goats. Here, we use the operational description of 'stress' as "physical or perceived threats to homeostasis." The aim of this study was to investigate the prenatal effects of different herd densities on the fear responses and sociality of goat kids.

Outside enclosure and additional enrichment for dairy goats--a preliminary study.

Background: Dairy goats are commonly housed at a space allowance of 0.7-0.8 m²/goat in commercial Norwegian goat herds, which is very low compared to regulations and recommendations in other European countries.

The preference for water nipples vs. water bowls in dairy goats.

Background: Previous studies have reported that the design of the water dispensers can influence the water intake in farm animals. Horses and dairy cows seem to prefer to drink from an open surface whereas sheep and pigs apparently prefer water nipples, probably because of the worse water quality in water bowls. The aim of the present study was to examine the preference of dairy goats for water nipples or water bowls.

Maternal investment, sibling competition, and offspring survival with increasing litter size and parity in pigs (Sus scrofa).

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of litter size and parity on sibling competition, piglet survival, and weight gain. It was predicted that competition for teats would increase with increasing litter size, resulting in a higher mortality due to maternal infanticide (i.e.