Ms. Herskin et al., Influence of timidity and social environment during lactation on maternal reactivity of outdoor sows, ACT AG SC A, 48(4), 1998, pp. 230-236
Influence of timidity (timid when approached by an unknown human vs, contro
l) and social environment during lactation (single vs. group farrowing padd
ock) on maternal reactivity of outdoor sows was examined in a 2 x 2 factori
al experiment with nine replicates of four sows. Selection for timidity was
carried out by a human approach test in the gestation paddock three weeks
prepartum. During week 1 postpartum the maternal reactivity was tested once
in each of three different setups mimicking potential situations of danger
to the piglets: the play back of a piglet distress call (SP), disturbance
of nursing (DN) and introduction of a human dummy (DT). Generally, timid so
ws were more reactive than controls; they had a higher first reaction type
in DT (P < 0.05) and DN (P < 0.1) and tended to have a higher maximal react
ion type in SP (P < 0.1). Social environment in the farrowing paddock did n
ot significantly affect the reactivity. The question of whether social rela
tionships between neighbouring sows in farrowing paddocks can influence the
maternal reactivity of sows is discussed.