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Behavior and Performance of Pigs Grouped by Three Different Methods at Weaning¹

Texas A&M University², College Station 77843

Abstract

Crossbred pigs (384) used in three trials were assigned to one of three grouping treatments when moved to 1.4 x 1.6 m nursery pens 4 h postweaning at 28 d of age. Treatments included eight pigs from the same Utter (81), four pigs from each of two different litters (4-2) and one pig from each of eight different litters (1-8). A commercial odor masking agent (OMA) commonly used to reduce tail biting and fighting was sprayed on one-half of the replicates of each treatment 20 min after (trial 1) or immediately before (trials 2 and 3) the pigs were moved to the nursery. Agonistic behavior was quantified (trials 2 and 3) by direct observation for the first 3 h and again for 2 h at 24 and 48 h post-grouping. Application of OMA 20 min post-mixing caused only a temporary (3 to 5 min) cessation of fighting. A slight increase in fighting in all three grouping treatments was observed when OMA was applied before mixing. Average daily gain for 0 to 4 and 0 to 28 d and feed intake for 0 to 7 and 0 to 28 d were not influenced by OMA or grouping treatments. Combining alien pigs resulted in a significant increase in fighting but did not affect long term performance.

¹ Technical Article 17841 from the Texas Agr. Exp. Sta.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci.

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