The effects of immuno- and surgical-castration on the behaviour and consequently growth of group-housed, male finisher pigs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to compare behaviour, in particular social and feeding behaviour, and consequently growth performance of group-housed entire and castrated male pigs during the finisher stage of production. Three treatments: (1) entire males, (2) immuno-castrated males, treated with Improvac® at 14 and 18 weeks of age, and (3) surgically-castrated males, castrated at 14-days old, were compared to assess whether castration affected feeding and social behaviours. Twelve groups of 15 male pigs were formed at 14 weeks of age (47.1 ± 5.50 kg). Pigs had ad libitum access to pelleted, commercial feed from two single space feeders per pen. Pig behaviour and feeder utilisation were compare..