The use of choice tests in applied farm animal ethology

The principles and techniques of choice tests for use in farm animal etholo gy together with the results of their application for studies of cattle and pigs are described. Both cattle and pigs have a preference for soft beddin g and a flexible floor. A warm water bed produces lying behaviour of piglet s and is preferred by sucking pigs in comparison to straw as bedding materi al. Preferred places are related to thermo regulation with increasing age a nd growth rate.