SOCIAL FACILITATION AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF EATING BETWEEN FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR NEWLY WEANED PIGLETS

Two experiments investigated the possibility of using behavioural meth ods to enhance feed intake in piglets following weaning. The effects o f sex and familiarity on eating were studied in the group situation an d in pair tests. In groups, unfamiliar males consumed more feed, showe d a significantly greater weight gain over the 5 days post weaning, bu t were less synchronized in their eating than were familiar males. Fam iliar females spent more time at the feeder and were more synchronized in their eating than unfamiliar females, but there were no difference s in feed consumed or weight gain. In the pair tests, there was no eff ect of familiarity, although there was a strong effect of the presence of the stimulus pig. Males consumed significantly more feed than fema les. The interaction between factors positively and negatively affecti ng eating is discussed.