Abstract

DELA RICCI, Gisele et al. Evaluation of routine procedures in swine production as estimative methods of stress through the application of vocalization and speed of handling. Investig. Agrar. [online]. 2019, vol.21, n.2, pp.117-123. ISSN 2305-0683.  https://doi.org/10.18004/investig.agrar.2019.diciembre.117-123.

Vocalization and behavior are non-invasive methods of animal welfare analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the welfare of piglets during Australian ear notching, tooth wear and castration, from vocalizations and behavioral aspects of pigs. For this, 281 piglets were used, with measurements of the maximum and minimum intensity of the noise emitted by the piglets and the time of accomplishment. The behavior of the piglets was obtained according to the activity performed during handling and containment. For behavioral analysis a specific etogram was used. The comparison of means was performed by T-test and PDIFF. The castration was the practice with the highest average of time of accomplishment, followed by the wear of teeth and ear notching. The highest mean values of minimum and maximum intensity were found for male castration in the slow process. It was observed that sex did not influence the time when the ear notching and tooth wear were performed, but at the same time the avoidance behavior was the most observed (P <0.05), with low frequency in castration. Therefore, it can be concluded that the procedures caused pain, characterized by vocal demonstrations and negative behavior.

Keywords : welfare; castration; teeth wear; Australian ear notching; swine.

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