ig ht pr o
te ct ed
2. The pig
Knowledge of a pig’s characteristics helps you to avoid unnecessary problems, stress and mistakes. Consider
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things like hierarchy, the way the pig orients itself, and
its natural response to disruptive factors. Handling pigs
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in a calm and friendly fashion promotes peaceful conditions and high production. Another advantage is that working calmly is necessary for high-quality work.
Pig behaviour Pigs in a pen don't lose their need to express their natural behaviour. As a pig manager, you use this to prevent stress. Pig management also becomes less forced if you stay close to the animal’s natural behaviour. In the wild, sows form family groups of two to four sows with their piglets. The size of the group and its habitat depends on feed availability. Habitats of different groups can overlap. The habitat is centred around a nest where the entire group rests. The pigs defecate in designated latrine areas, never in the nest or the foraging area. The group traverses the habitat on
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walkways (trails), which are also defecated and urinated on. Group members harmonise their behaviour: they eat, rest and suckle at the same time. Within both a group and a litter, there is a linear dominance hierarchy. Groups do not mix, new animals are not admitted. Gilts form new groups with each other or with their mothers when they are 7-8 months old. Boars also leave the group at this age. They initially live with two or three other boars, and eventually on their own. Boars only join a group during the mating season. They live within the habitats of the sow groups and announce their availability by means of scent tracks.
Pig S i gn a ls
