The overall\u00a0aim of these studies is to develop suitable enrichments for\u00a0sows by identifying simple, safe and cost-effective enrichments\u00a0that can be added to group sow housing systems, and\u00a0form part of their routine husbandry practices.<\/p>\n
Four different\u00a0enrichment treatments were provided to sows in group\u00a0housing. Each enrichment object had\u00a0properties known to be attractive to pigs. Time\u00a0spent interacting with different enrichments\u00a0was compared to\u00a0the daily activity patterns of sows in order to identify the\u00a0most effective enrichment for sows.<\/p>\n
The four treatments\u00a0consisted of: 1) constant provision of\u00a0wood on chains, 2) rotation of three objects rope,\u00a0straw, wood on chain, 3) rotation of three objects with\u00a0an associative stimulus bell or whistle, and 4) control (no objects: Control).<\/p>\n
It was found that regardless of the treatment provided,\u00a0on average 15 per cent of sows were out of their free-access\u00a0stalls and present in the loafing area of the pen throughout\u00a0the day. Provision of enrichment to group-housed sows can help increase the use of pen space, and that rotating enrichments can increase sows\u2019 interactions with the enrichment while mainting the same constant enrichment will result in habituation and disinterest over time. The straw enrichment produced the greatest response resulting in the largest number of sows interacting with the enrichment\u00a024 percent of sows were present in the enrichment area when straw\u00a0was provided, compared to 12 per cent when no enrichment\u00a0was provided (Control).<\/p>\n