Effect of housing on in situ postures of gestating gilts

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 265 - 272
• Main Authors: Taylor, Lathrop, Friend, Ted, Smith, L.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1988
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-1591(88)90007-X

Twelve cross-bred gilts were blocked by breeding dates and randomly assigned to one of four treatments, tethers (T), crates (C), loose stalls (LS) or dirtlot (DL), for each of three replications ( N = 36). Behavior was time-lapse video-recorded for 48-h observation periods commencing on Days 0, 7 and 63. Lying was the most frequent activity for all treatments over all observation periods (ranging from 65 to 90% of the observation periods). Gilts were up (includes standing and locomotion) for 10–33% of the observation periods, and spent 2% or less of the time sitting. Over all observation periods, the T and C gilts were up less, lay down more, lay for longer periods and changed their lying position more frequently. These findings may reflect the relative difficulty of getting up and lying down in these facilities. Time trends occurred from Day 0 to Day 65 which generally reflected fewer changes of position for all treatments. This reduction in position changes may be indicative of adjustment to their respective housing treatments and/or advancing pregnancies.