Lj. Keeling et Jf. Hurnik, SOCIAL FACILITATION AND SYNCHRONIZATION OF EATING BETWEEN FAMILIAR AND UNFAMILIAR NEWLY WEANED PIGLETS, Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science, 46(1), 1996, pp. 54-60
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.