The influence of inconsistent handling by humans on the behaviour, growth and corticosteroids of young pigs

Abstract

The influence of 4 handling treatments on the behaviour, growth and free corticosteroid concentrations were studied in 32 young female pigs housed in individual pens. The pleasant treatment involved stroking the pig whenever it approached the experimenter, the unpleasant treatment involved forcing the pig away whenever it approached the experimenter and the inconsistent treatment was a combination of unpleasant and pleasant treatments (imposed at a ratio of 1:5). These 3 treatments were imposed for 3 min each, 3 times per week, from 7 to 13 weeks of age. The fourth treatment, minimal handling, involved minimal contact with humans during this 6-week period. Gilts in the pleasant and minimal h..