BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE OF GROWING PIGS REARED IN HOT HUMID ENVIRONMENT TO FEED WITHDRAWAL PERIODS

K. A. Fagbemi; T. A. Okunniyi; C. P. Njoku; O. O. Adeleye; O. A. Adeyemi

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.7230

Authors

K. A. Fagbemi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
T. A. Okunniyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
C. P. Njoku Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
O. O. Adeleye Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta
O. A. Adeyemi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7230

Keywords:

huddling, recumbency, rooting, wallowing, walking

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the behavioural response of growing pigs to feed withdrawal periods during the hot periods of the day. Twenty Seven, 8 weeks old pigs of mixed breeds with average body weight of 5.5+0.2 kg were randomly assigned to three treatments (0, 2 and 4 hours feed withdrawal periods) with each treatment consisting of three replicates of three pigs each. Behavioural activities of the pigs (standing, sitting and lying) were monitored with the aid of digital video cameras mounted 3 mabove the pen house, Eight hours recordings of the pigs'behaviours for 4 consecutive days in a week for 3 weeks duration were obtained. Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Behavioural activities of rooting (3.69 times/frequency), walking (5.57 times/frequency) and drinking (1.67 times/frequency) behaviours increased significantly (P<0.05) with increase in level of (feed withdrawal periods. Pigs on 4 hours feed withdrawal period had higher docile behaviours; hence, 4 hours feed withdrawal period can be adopted as management tool to improve the behaviours of growing pigs.