Effect of ration level on abnormal, stereotyped behaviour in pregnant sows.

摘要: The behaviour of Large White × Landrace sows (Cotswold Pig Development Company) was studied during their first 4 pregnancies. While pregnant, sows were tethered in a house with 88 stalls, by neck chains 0.7 m long. Daily feed levels varied from 1.25 to 4.0 kg of a pelleted complete diet. Low feed levels (1.25 to 2.0 kg) are less than ARC (1981) estimates of energy requirements of sows for low weight gain. High feed levels (2.2 to 4.0 kg) are more than these estimates. Every 5 weeks, behaviour was sampled over 3 days, from 0700 to 1700 h. Records were made of posture and activity of individual sows and of whether activities were performed repetitively. Results are presented for 30 gilts sampled during their first 5-week period in the house (Period 1) and on 36 gilts sampled during the following 5-week period (Period 2). Twenty gilts were common to both samples. It is concluded that hunger is a more …