Influence of different types of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems: Hanging toy versus rootable toy of the same material

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This study aimed to assess the effects of (1) environmental enrichment with either straw bedding or a plastic toy and (2) the way in which the plastic toy was presented on the behaviour of finishing pigs in two different housing systems. One thousand and twenty four (Large White X Landrace) X Large White pigs were housed contemporarily in either a straw-based (ST) or fully slatted (FS) building from 35 kg to slaughter at 104 kg. In each building, half of the pens received additional environmental enrichment in the form of a hanging plastic toy. The remaining pens in the ST house were enriched only by the straw bedding. In the FS house, the remaining pens were provided with a rootable toy of the same plastic material presented on the floor of the pen. There was no significant effect of housing system on the level of manipulation of the hanging toy. Within the FS system, the level of manipulation of the hanging toy tended to be higher than that of the plastic toy presented on the floor (P = 0.052). Neither form of additional environmental enrichment provided a comparable level of occupation to that of straw bedding. In the absence of straw, more investigatory behaviours were directed towards both pen-mates (P < 0.001) and pen components (P < 0.001). Further study is required to identify functional forms of environmental enrichment in slatted systems to occupy pigs and prevent them from performing adverse behaviours.

For more information the full article can be found at http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/issues

Difference in severity of porcine circovirus type two-induced pathological lesions between Landrace and Pietrain pigs

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The objective of this study was to determine if a differenceexists in porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2)susceptibility between Landrace and Pietrain pigs under experimental conditions. The results indicate that a genetic difference exists between these two breeds of pigs in susceptibility to PCV2-associated lesions. 

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Retrospective serological study on hepatitis E infection in pigs from 1985 to 1997 in Spain

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The objective of the present work was to ascertain the date in which hepatitis E virus (HEV) was introduced in the Spanish pig population. For this, a serological retrospective study was carried out using archived sera. A total of 2871 serum samples gathered between 1985 and 1997 and collected in 208 farms of Spain were tested for anti-HEV IgG by an in-house ELISA. Of the 2871 sera analyzed by ELISA, 1390 were positive for anti-HEV antibodies (48.4%, 95% CI: 46.9–49.9%) and that corresponded to 204/208 farms (98%, 95% CI: 96.1– 99.9%) having at least one positive pig. Our results show that HEV was present and widespread in Spanish swine farms at least since 1985. Any significant changes in prevalence were detected from 1 year to another and therefore, HEV infection in swine should be considered endemic in SpainFor the full text please subscribe to the Journal of Veterinary Microbiology.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781135

A review of environmental enrichment for pigs housed in intensive housing systems

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This paper critically reviews the literature concerning environmental enrichment for weaner, grower and finisher pigs housed in intensive (indoor) production systems. The thesis of the review is that successful enrichment should meet four criteria of success: (1) it should increase species-specific behaviour, (2) it should maintain or improve levels of health, (3) it should improve the economics of the production system, and (4) it should be practical to employ. They review the existing literature for three distinct classes of production systems; alternative enriched systems; straw-based systems, and barren systems enriched only with objects (‘point-source enrichment-objects’). Within each of
these systems, they consider the effects of environmental enrichment on behaviour; health and physiology; animal performance, carcass quality and meat quality.

They conclude that straw has the highest potential to meet the four successful enrichment criteria proposed. However, they concede that it is possible to design successful point-source enrichment-objects if the wealth of knowledge available on enrichment for pigs is exploited. They also identify several knowledge gaps, especially in the area of the neurobiological effects of enrichment, which should be the focus of future research to advance the welfare of intensively reared pigs.

For more information the full article can be found at http://journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/issues

Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching

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This experiment compares the effects of processing piglets during the first 24 hours versus 3 days of age on suckling and pain related behaviour as well as the passive transfer of immunoglobulines, and growth. It was concluded that processed piglets had decreased immunoglobuline serum concentrations compared to sham-processed and control piglets, and there was no interactio between treatment and age of treatment. Tail docking and ear notching do not appear to result in short-term pain and modulated immune status. Also, processing on day 1 appear neither better or worse than processing on day 3. 

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Quantification of classical swine fever virus in aerosols originating from pigs infected with strains of high, moderate or low virulence

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During epidemics of classical swine fever (CSF), the route of virus introduction into a farm is often unclear. One of the suggested routes is via the air. Under experimental conditions, airborne transmission over a short distance seems possible, but analysis of outbreak data is still inconclusive. For a better understanding of the role of airborne transmission, quantitative information is needed on concentrations of virus emitted by infected pigs. This was studied in four groups of 10 pigs in which three pigs were inoculated with either a low virulent strain (Zoelen), a low or high dose of amoderately virulent strain (Paderborn), or a highly virulent strain (Brescia). The other seven pigs in each group served as contact pigs. At several moments after infection, air samples were obtained using gelatine filters. Infectious virus and viral RNA were detected in the air of rooms housing the pigs infected with the moderately and highly virulent strains with titres of 101.2 to 103.0 TCID50/m3 of infectious virus, and 101.6 to 103.8 TCID50 equiv./m3 of viral RNA. It was observed that the higher the dose or virulence of the virus strain used for inoculation of the pigs, the sooner virus could be detected in the air samples. This is the first study describing the quantification of (infectious) CSFV in air samples of rooms housing infected pigs, enabling to quantify the contribution of individual infected pigs to virus concentrations in aerosols. This can be used as input for quantitative models of airborne spread over large distances.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781135

The role of novelty in environmental enrichment for the weaned pig

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Habituation to environmental enrichment objects can occur rapidly. Novelty of an object is an important property involved in initiating and maintaining exploration, and this can be achieved by renewing objects. The aims of this study were to assess whether alternation of two contrasting objects increased enrichment value, and whether simultaneous access increased overall object-directed behaviour in comparison with single presentation of each object.

The experiment was designed as a 2 X 2 factorial, with 2 enrichment objects (suspended rope and loose wood block) and 2 presentationmethods (continuous access, or weekly alternation). An additional treatment examined object use when both objectswere presented simultaneously. Five replicate pens, each of 10 weaned pigs, were allocated to each treatment: R, continuous rope; W, continuous wood; R/W, alternation rope-wood; W/R, alternation wood-rope; R + W, simultaneous rope and wood. Observations of behaviour were made for two 1-h periods, three times a week for a 4-week period. Direct scan samples at 5-min intervals measured use of the enrichment object(s), penmate and pen manipulation, and general activity. These were supplemented by two 24 h time-lapse video recordings made in the first and last experimental weeks. Object interaction was significantly affected by treatment, with W spending a lower overall proportion of observations in contact with the object than the other treatments (in order 0.102, 0.037, 0.093, 0.110, 0.134, s.e.d. 0.007; P < 0.001).

In R, week had a significant effect on rope interaction, which decreased in week 2 and increased again in week 3 when new rope was added, although rope interaction was still lower in week 3 than in week 1 (0.106 vs. 0.151, respectively, s.e.d. 0.017; P < 0.01). When R/W and W/R received rope for a second time, rope interaction was lower than in the first presentation week (R/W, 0.166 vs. 0.129, s.e.d. 0.017; P < 0.05). Interaction with wood was always lower than with rope (in R + W, 0.03 vs. 0.19, respectively, s.e.d. 0.027; P < 0.001). Object interaction was additive in R +W when compared to R and W.

To conclude, the rotation of enrichment objects did increase novelty, although habituation still occurred. Rope was extremely effective at occupying the pigs’ time, with interaction levels comparable to those previously reported for straw.

Facility design and transport: the welfare connection

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Powerpoint presentation, presented at the 2009 Livestock Transport Conference

Comparison of viraemia- and clinical-based estimates of within- and between-pen transmission of classical swine fever virus from three transmission experiments

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The purpose of this study was to combine disease transmission quantification methods with CSF clinical signs quantification tools to investigate whether clinical signs, considered as infectivity markers, may allow us to calculate reliable estimates for disease transmission parameters. It was concluded that a models comparison (Bayes information criterion) showed a better fit of the clinical-based models, for both strains.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781135

Echinacea purpurea as a potential immunostimulatory feed additive in laying hens and fattening pigs by intermittent application

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Echinacea purpurea is one of the most important medical herbs. It is widely used around the world to treat common
cold and other infectious disorders with the claim to have paramunity-inducing and non-specific immune responses
stimulating effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test a repeated short-time application regime for Echinacea juice as feed additive on phagocytosis, antibody response, and blood cell counts of layers and fattening pigs. It was found that that a repeated short time application of Echinacea juice has immune stimulating effects in layers and fattening pigs. It seems that the repeated 2 days-trickle stimulation is sufficient to increase immune response. In this application regime, it is an easy and economic method to enhance immune reactions in layers and fattening pigs. A different dosage adjustment and application regime for layers in further studies will likely optimize the benefit from using Echinacea as feed additive.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci