PREFERENCE TESTING OF SUBSTRATES BY GROWING PIGS

The preferences of growing pigs for substrates were investigated by gi ving small groups of pigs a choice between two substrates in each test . The seven substrates examined were concrete, mushroom compost (spent ), pent, sand, sawdust, straw and woodbark. Thirteen comparisons of pa irs of substrates were rested with four replicates of each comparison. Eleven-week-old pigs (in groups of six) were placed in specially desi gned choice pens where they had access to two different substrates. Th e pigs were allowed to habituate to the pen for 1 week and at the end of week 2 the substrates were swapped. In weeks 2 and 3 the time spent by The pigs in each substrate was recorded. Pear, mushroom compost an d sawdust were preferred most, with sand next and woodbark and straw b eing preferred only to concrete, it is suggested that growing pigs may be attracted to substrates which are similar in texture to earth.