title: Factors affecting excretory behavior of pigs.
abstract: A 2(4) factorial experiment with six pens per treatment was conducted to examine the factors affecting the excretory behavior of growing-finishing pigs. The factors investigated were partition type (open or closed), pig density (9 or 14 pigs/pen, size: 2 m x 4.5 m), position of nipple drinker in the pen (back wall of the pen or side in front of slatted area), and prior experience of pigs (training or no training). A total of 1,104 pigs at a weight interval of 28.4 +/- .2 to 91.4 +/- .4 kg were used in this study. Pen cleanliness was assessed by a dung scoring system, and growth rate was determined over the growing-finishing period. Partition type, nipple drinker position, or prior training of pigs had no effect on growth rate. Stocking pigs at 14 pigs/pen reduced growth rate (P < .05) compared with 9 pigs/pen (.80 vs .83 kg/d). Significant differences for pen dirtiness were found for partition type. Pens with closed partitions were cleaner than those with open partitions (P = .0001) and pens became significantly dirtier as pigs grew older or heavier (P < .01). There was a significant interaction effect between pen partition and pig density as well as an interaction among pen partition, pig density, and water position (P < .05).
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Hacker
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kains
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003441:Crowding; D003672:Defecation; D004326:Drinking; D006799:Housing, Animal; D006920:Hygiene; D011897:Random Allocation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013552:Swine / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013696:Temperature; D015430:Weight Gain