EFFECTS OF LAVENDER STRAW ON STRESS AND TRAVEL SICKNESS IN PIGS

Objective: To observe pigs during road journeys in order to establish whether lavender straw was likely to decrease stress and incidence of travel sickness.Subjects: Forty 70-kg Large White pigs were transporte d by road for 2 hours, 20 animals each day, over a 2-day period. Desig n: On day 1, ample wheat straw was provided as bedding such that the f loor of the vehicle was entirely covered (straw condition). On day 5 l avender straw was provided as bedding (lavender condition). During the journey, direct behavioral observations of the individually marked pi gs were made by scanning every 10 minutes for incidence of standing an d lying along with the less severe symptoms of travel sickness (foamin g at the mouth and repetitive chomping). Incidences of retching and vo miting were noted as they occurred. A general activity index was also scored every 10 minutes (5 high activity, 1 = low activity). Saliva sa mples were taken from each animal at different stages of the journey f or analysis of cortisol. Results: Pigs stood more when in the straw co ndition, but were more active when standing in the lavender condition. Symptoms of travel sickness appeared to be less acute in the lavender condition, with more animals exhibiting the less severe symptom, foam ing and chomping (a total of 3 in straw compared with 6 in lavender), but fewer animals showing the more severe symptoms of retching and vom iting tin straw, 3 retched, 6 vomited; in lavender 0 retched, 3 vomite d). A total of 6 animals retched or vomited in the straw condition but only 3 in the lavender. There was a significant difference in mean co ncentrations of cortisol between conditions but this was due to a diff erence in mean baseline concentrations between groups. Conclusion: Add ition of lavender straw appeared to decrease incidence and severity of travel sickness but not overall levels of stress las measured by conc entrations of salivary cortisol).