Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs and their impact on production

Two studies have been carried out in pigs to determine the relation between escape behaviour and production parameters and between escape behaviour an d other factors. In the first, 823 piglets were tested with the backtest at 10 and 17 days of age. Production parameters, such as average daily weight gain and lean meat percentage, were recorded. In the second, the backtest was performed on 566 piglets at 3, 10 and 17 days of age. Escape behaviour in the backtest (backtest score) of the mother was known for 364 piglets. P arameters concerning the health of sow and piglets were recorded, as well a s the sow's reaction on piglet removal for testing. Relations between produ ction parameters and backtest scores of the animals were calculated, as wel l as the influence of birth weight, gender tall males were castrated), pare nts and health parameters on backtest scores. Backtest scores were fairly c onsistent over successive tests. Males had higher backtest scores than fema les, and piglets from sows with low backtest scores had low scores themselv es. Finally, a higher backtest score gave a higher lean meat percentage and a better carcass grading at slaughter. No relation with daily weight gain was found. It is concluded that there are individual differences between th e ways in which pigs cope with a stressful situation, as is measured with t he backtest, and that this coping behaviour is consistent. A positive relat ion exists between backtest scores and lean meat percentage, and a heritabi lity of backtest scores is assumed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.