ABSTRACT
The wild ancestors and wild relatives of the modern domestic sow live in small stable family groups. Many of the behaviour patterns that they show have been conserved in modern sows which, when placed back into a semi-natural environment, spend 0.6 of the daylight hours grazing and rooting (Stolba and Wood-Gush, 1989). In addition to feeding, drinking and excretory behaviours, maintenance behaviours include those with thermoregulatory function, such as nest building and wallowing, and others with skin care functions, such as rubbing. In this complex environment, exploratory behaviours, including locomotion, orientation to stimuli, nosing and manipulation of objects, also occupy significant periods of time (0.1-0.2 of the day). The stable social situation is reflected in the spatial association of stable subgroups, low incidence of agonistic behaviours and social facilitation of behaviour within the group. In intensive farmed conditions, circumstances for the pregnant sow are greatly changed. Food is provided in a concentrated form, and foraging behaviours are no longer functional in increasing energy and nutrient supply. Long-term stable group structure is disrupted, space allowance is greatly reduced and the environment is frequently utilitarian and barren. This situation restricts expression of the
Welfare of gilts and pregnant sows Welfare of gilts and pregnant sows
behaviour patterns developed by sows in their evolutionary history and may give rise to behaviours considered abnormal and indicative of reduced welfare.
