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This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jas.2008-1080v1 87/4/1479    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marchant-Forde, J. N. Articles by Marchant-Forde, R. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marchant-Forde, J. N. Articles by Marchant-Forde, R. M.

Post-natal piglet husbandry practices and well-being: The effects of alternative techniques delivered separately

J. N. Marchant-Forde^*, D. C. Lay, Jr.^*, K. A. McMunn^*, H. W. Cheng^*, E. A. Pajor and R. M. Marchant-Forde^*

^* USDA-ARS, Livestock Behavior Research Unit, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907

Jeremy.marchant-forde{at}ars.usda.gov

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate stress responses evoked by 2 alternative methods for performing the following processing procedures: 1) teeth resection (TR) – clip vs. grind; 2) tail-docking (TD) – cold vs. hot-clip; 3) identification (ID) – ear notch vs. tag; 4) iron administration (FE) – inject vs. oral; 5) castration (CA) – cords cut vs. torn. Eight to 10 litters of eight, 2- and 3-d-old piglets were assigned to each procedure. Within each litter, 2 piglets were assigned to 1 of 4 possible procedures: the 2 alternative methods, a sham procedure, and a sham procedure plus blood sampling. Blood was sampled before processing and at 45 min, 4 h, 48 h, 1 wk, and 2 wk post-procedure and assayed for cortisol and β-endorphin. Procedures were video-taped and analyzed to evaluate the time taken to perform the procedure and the number of squeals, grunts and escape attempts. Vocalizations were analyzed to determine mean and peak frequencies and duration. Piglets were weighed before the procedure and at 24 h, 48 h, 1 wk, and 2 wk afterwards. Lesions were scored on a 0 to 5 scale on ID, TD and CA pigs at 24 h, 1 wk, and 2 wk post-procedure. For TR, grinding took longer than clipping and resulted in greater cortisol concentration overall, poorer growth rates and longer vocalizations compared to control treatment pigs (P < 0.05). For TD, hot clipping took longer and hot-clipped piglets grew slower than cold-clipped piglets (P < 0.05). Hot clipping also resulted in longer and higher frequency squealing than control pigs (P < 0.01). For ID, ear notching took longer than tagging and ear-notched piglets had worse wound scores than tagged piglets (P < 0.05). Cortisol concentrations at 4 h also tended to be greater for notched piglets (P < 0.10). Ear notching evoked calls with higher peak frequency than control treatments. For FE, oral delivery took numerically longer than injecting, but there were no significant differences between injecting and oral delivery in any of the measures. For CA, tearing took longer than cutting the cords (P < 0.05) but β-endorphin concentrations at 45 min post-procedure were greater for cut piglets. Using measures of behavior, physiology and productivity, the responses to TR, TD and ID can be shown to be altered by method of procedure whereas responses to FE and CA did not differ. The time taken to carry out the procedure would appear to be an important factor in the strength of the stress response.

Key Words: Growth • Pain • Pigs • Physiology • Routine processing • Vocalizations