Stereotypic behavior is an indicator of bad welfare. Gestating pigs housed in individual stalls show more stereotypic behavior than those housed in groups. However, there is not comparison in stereotypies among the gestating pigs housed in stalls. This study investigated postural behavior, stereotypic behavior in stalled gestating females on a commercial farm, and assessed the relationship between behavior and reproduction performance. A total of 609 gestating females were observed 25 times (instantaneous sampling at 15 min intervals) after feeding during 6 hr of observation period. Postural behavior (lying, standing, and sitting) and stereotypic behavior (vacuum chewing, drinker playing, and bar biting) were recorded. Reproduction data, including farrowing rate and total piglets born, piglets born alive, piglets born dead, birth litter weights, piglets weaned, and adjusted 21-d litter weights were collected. The results indicated that females showing a high frequency of vacuum chewing during gestation produced fewer total piglets born than those showing no vacuum chewing. No relationships were found between vacuum chewing and other measures of reproduction. Neither postural behavior nor the other stereotypies were related to reproductive performance. This study suggested that a subpopulation of females existed on commercial farms that frequently exhibited vacuum chewing and gave birth to fewer total pigs. High frequency of vacuum chewing in those females may be indicative of their suboptimal reproductive performance.
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