The choice behaviour of pigs in a Y maze: effects of deprivation of feed, social contact and bedding.
Behav Processes
; 87(2): 210-7, 2011 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21511015
ABSTRACT
We examined effects of deprivation of feed, social contact and bedding on the choice behaviour in Y maze tests. Eighty pigs were used to study two main effects feed (estimated voluntary feed intake (VFI) vs. 70% VFI) and bedding (presence vs. absence), experiment 1; social contact (full vs. restricted) and bedding (presence vs. absence), experiment 2; and feed (as in experiment 1) and social contact (as in experiment 2), experiment 3. Overall pigs consistently chose feed and social contact over bedding. While social contact was more preferred than feed in experiment 3, there was substantial variation between pigs in their choice behaviour. The overall choice behaviour in experiment 3 contradicts previous research, but differences such as the preference methodology as well as the level of deprivation, level of reward and cost involved in accessing reward, may be responsible. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was affected in experiment 3 both feed and social restriction reduced ADG. While the feed effect is expected, one interpretation of the social effect is that social deprivation, through stress, may have reduced ADG. These results provide limited support for the notion that deprivation of a highly preferred resource may disrupt biological function.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Aislamiento Social
/
Porcinos
/
Ropa de Cama y Ropa Blanca
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Conducta de Elección
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Aprendizaje por Laberinto
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Privación de Alimentos
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Behav Processes
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Australia