title: Behavioral Characteristics of Weaned Piglets Mixed in Different Groups.
abstract: With regard to animal welfare concerns, behavioral information of weaned and mixed piglets is great interest in swine production. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the change in behavior of weaned piglets over time in two different groups (littermates and piglets from different litters) after mixing. Two weaned groups of piglets (72 individuals in all) housed either with littermates or with foreign piglets (6 individuals in 1.8 m×1.4 m pens, 28°C±1°C temperature) were observed with the aid of video technology for 9 consecutive hours on days 1, 2, and 3 after mixing. The behaviors of the weaned piglets in the control and treatment groups were significantly different among the days after mixing. Piglets were, however, more active and aggressive in the groups with foreign piglets. This study reveals a lower level of agonistic behavior in groups of piglets that came from the same litter.
authors.affiliation: School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Su
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Kang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Kyung
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.affiliation: School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Hun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Son
authors.affiliation: Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan 331-801, Korea.
authors.forename: Joon-Ki
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Swine Science Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan 331-801, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Hyun
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Bioresource and Bioscience, Chung-Ang University, Ansung 456-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Shin-Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rhim
keywords: Agonistic Behavior; Animal Welfare; Littermate; Video Technology