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A multidisciplinary approach to assess the welfare of weaned pigs during transport at three space allowances

Combining behavioral and physiological measures of stress provides a robust picture of piglet welfare during transport at different space allowances.
30 August 2010
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Transport can be a stressful experience for pigs, especially in pigs simultaneously experiencing weaning stress. The objective of this study was to use a multidisciplinary approach to assess the welfare of weaned pigs during transport at 3 space allowances. A commercial semitrailer, fitted with compartments, provided 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07 m(2)/pig. The study recorded frequency of standing, lying, sitting, and standing-rearing on another pig during the entire duration of transport. Blood samples, body weights, and lesion scores were collected from a subset of pigs (n = 48 per space allowance) in each experimental compartment. Transport time for the pigs was 148.0 /- 10.0 min to the wean-to-finishing site. Total white blood cell counts, cortisol, and several blood chemistry values increased (p < .05) after transport regardless of space allowance. Glucose and body weight decreased (p < .05) after transport regardless of space allowance. Space allowance influenced stand-rearing, sitting, standing, and lying behaviors in pigs. Combining behavioral and physiological measures of stress provides a robust picture of piglet welfare during transport at different space allowances.

Sutherland MA, Bryer PJ, Davis BL, McGlone JJ. A multidisciplinary approach to assess the welfare of weaned pigs during transport at three space allowances. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2010 Jul;13(3):237-49.

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