Are aggressiveness and social status of group housed sows predictable from observations of earlier behaviour?

Author(s):  
M. Mendl

The forthcoming UK ban on stall and tether housing for sows will result in an increase in the use of group housing for these animals. In group housing systems, certain individuals may be particularly aggressive or bullied by others, and this may result in injury or socially induced stress. To attempt to overcome these problems we need to know the answers to questions such as whether removal of a particularly aggressive animal from a group will result in a general decrease in aggression, or whether it will simply result in other animals becoming more aggressive. Answers to these sorts of question require a fundamental understanding of pig social behaviour and individual characteristics. For example, is aggressivness a stable individual characteristic across time and situation? This research addressed these issues by examining the cross-time consistency of individual aggressiveness and social status in groups of pigs.

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 109-109
Author(s):  
R. H. Bradshaw ◽  
J. Skyrme ◽  
E. E. Brenninkmeijer ◽  
D. M. Broom

A wide range of measures have been employed in an attempt to determine social structure in groups of animals and different analyses of social behaviour may result in the construction of different hierarchies (Tomback et al. 1989). In order to investigate social aspects of welfare in group-housed sows it is important to establish a meaningful measure of group dynamics. We therefore wished to establish whether different measures of social status resulted in the construction of similar hierarchies in dry-sows housed in indoor or outdoor group-housing systems.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 109-109
Author(s):  
R. H. Bradshaw ◽  
J. Skyrme ◽  
E. E. Brenninkmeijer ◽  
D. M. Broom

A wide range of measures have been employed in an attempt to determine social structure in groups of animals and different analyses of social behaviour may result in the construction of different hierarchies (Tomback et al. 1989). In order to investigate social aspects of welfare in group-housed sows it is important to establish a meaningful measure of group dynamics. We therefore wished to establish whether different measures of social status resulted in the construction of similar hierarchies in dry-sows housed in indoor or outdoor group-housing systems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olinda Almeida ◽  
Rui F. Oliveira

The nonapeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homologue arginine vasopressin play a key role in the regulation of social behaviour across vertebrates. In teleost fishes, three AVT neuronal populations have been described in the preoptic area (POA): the parvocellular (pPOA), the magnocellular (mPOA) and the gigantocellular (gPOA). Neurons from each of these areas project both to the pituitary and to other brain regions, where AVT is supposed to regulate neural circuits underlying social behaviour. However, in the fish species studied so far, there is considerable variation in which AVT neuronal populations are involved in behavioural modulation and in the direction of the effect. In this study, the association between AVT neuronal phenotypes and social status was investigated in the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). This species is an African female mouth-brooding cichlid fish in which males form breeding aggregations in which dominant males establish territories and subordinate males to act as floaters. With respect to sex differences in AVT neuronal phenotypes, females have a larger number of AVT neurons in the pPOA and mPOA. Within males, AVT appeared associated with social subordination, as indicated by the larger cell body areas of AVT neurons in mPOA and gPOA nuclei of non-territorial males. There were also positive correlations between submissive behaviour and the soma size of AVT cells in all three nuclei and AVT cell number in the mPOA. In summary, the results provide evidence for an involvement of AVT in the modulation of social behaviour in tilapia, but it was not possible to identify specific roles for specific AVT neuronal populations. The results presented here also contrast with those previously published for another cichlid species with a similar mating system, which highlights the species-specific nature of the pattern of association between AVT and social behaviour even within the same taxonomic family.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37
Author(s):  
Tryas Wardani Nurwan ◽  
Helmi Hasan

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of individual characteristic toward benefit recipients’ participation of Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) in Nagari Pematang Panjang, Sijunjung District, West Sumatera. This study used quantitative method with a questionnaire and data analysis using SPSS 21. Based on Slovin’s theory, the respondents in this study were 131 from the 194 benefit recipients. Indicator variable Participation as the dependent variable is participation in the implementation of P2K2 and participation in taking PKH fund benefits. While the indicator variables of individual characteristics as independent variables are the level of education (X1), age (X2), and number of dependents of the Family (X3). The results showed that the three individual characteristic variables influence recipients’ participation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 345
Author(s):  
Juliana Juliana

Individual characteristics and work environment are considered as crucial aspects for companies that want to improve their employees’ performance. PT Trakindo Utama specifically Samarinda branch is one of many branches of PT Trakindo Utama in Indonesia, which become the sole agent of Caterpillar products in Indonesia. Caterpillar itself is the world's leading manufacturer of heavy equipment originally from USA. This research aims to determine the influence of characteristics and non-physical work environment of the employee performance in parts Department at PT Trakindo Utama Samarinda branch. The individual characteristics (x1) and non-physical work environment (x2) are used as independent variables while the performance of employees (Y) as dependent variable. Primary data is obtained by conducting interviews to 34 respondents by using questionnaires while secondary data is obtained by conducting field observation. Data analysis uses a double linear regression technique by using SPSS 22 software. The results show that the individual characteristic variables does not have any partial effect toward the performance of the employees of Parts Department PT Trakindo Utama Cabang Samarinda branch and individual characteristic variables (X1) and non-physical work environment (x2) are simultaneously influential in the performance of the Employees (Y) Parts Department at PT trakindo Utama, Samarinda branch.  Suggestions for PT Trakindo Utama Samarinda Branch, the company should hold a family gathering in order to improve not only for each employees relations but also with bosses to stay awake, provide suggestions and evaluate employee work which can effectively improve employee performance, manage the best possible time so that the job can be completed on time.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1149 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. van Barneveld

Transition from gestation stalls to group-housing systems is a source of trepidation for many pork producers, given the capital cost of conversion and the challenges associated with managing sows in groups. Despite this, market imperatives in Australia have led to rapid transition in many enterprises. The cost of conversion of a 4100-sow unit from stalls to groups using low-cost retrofitting of existing breeder space (AU$150.00/sow) at relatively high densities (1.8 m2/sow) in small static groups (15–20 sows) based on floor or trough feeding with or without head bales and shoulder partitions equates to an additional cost of $3.00/piglet weaned if the level of productivity is maintained. If the number of piglets born per litter is increased by 1.04 piglets per litter, overall earnings of the herd are equal to levels achieved before the transition. This capital cost appears manageable if appropriate nutritional regimens are implemented to address individual nutritional needs of sows housed in groups and to manage aggression. Management of sow body condition during the reproductive cycle focussed on standardised gilt introduction to the breeding herd and optimisation of sow and gilt feed intake in lactation is pivotal, as it reduces the need for remedial feeding of individual sows post-weaning and during gestation. Nutritional management can also be used to reduce aggression between sows by removing impediments to feed access and by induction of satiety. Commercial implementation of these strategies confirms their relevance and demonstrates that sows can be cost-effectively managed in group-housing systems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Pluym ◽  
A. Van Nuffel ◽  
J. Dewulf ◽  
A. Cools ◽  
F. Vangroenweghe ◽  
...  

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.


Author(s):  
P.J. Baynes ◽  
E.J. Hunter ◽  
H.J. Guise ◽  
R.H.C. Penny

A survey of dry sow housing across England (Baynes and Hunter, 1993) was conducted to assess farmers' future plans and opinions regarding the onset of the 1999 ban relating to stall and tether housing systems. Results from this survey showed that approximately one third of English pig producers currently with these types of systems were undecided as to which system to choose. A number of case studies are currently being conducted on existing group-housed systems to contribute to a data base on group housing options.Sows were housed in a general purpose barn which had been divided into 12 pens, each housing ten sows. Sows were liquid fed once a day in a common trough with partial barriers. Total space allowance was 2.96m2/sow, of which 1.23m2was kennelled.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document