Original Article | 2013, Vol.35, No.2, pp. 137-141
Effects of methods of confinement during transportation of market pigs on their behavior, stress and injury
Pongchan Na-Lampang
pp. 137 - 141
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the effects of transport market pigs in individual crates vs. in groups on their behavior, stress and injury. The pigs were transported for 1 h on a distance of 70 km. The stocking densities were 0.35 m2 /pig and 0.48 m2 for groups and individual crates treatment, respectively. During loading, the group pigs had higher frequencies of climbing, slipping and turning around than the crate pigs. During transport, the group pigs engaged in fighting and agonistic interactions. There were no differences (P>0.05) between the two treatments in rectal temperature, respiratory rate and saliva cortisol level. Pigs kept in crates had lower (P<0.05) skin bruise scores but higher proportion of nonambulatory pigs than those kept in groups. In conclusion, transport in crates caused less agitation behaviors and injuries than transport in groups, but there was no differences in stress indicators.
