Behavioural changes and adaptations associated with weaning

P. Mormède; M. Hay

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Behavioural changes and adaptations associated with weaning

In: Weaning the pig

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P. Mormède

P. Mormède
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M. Hay

M. Hay
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 53–60

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086865130_005

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In modern husbandry, weaning is an abrupt transition between two extremely different conditions and imposes numerous challenges to piglets: nutritional (from milk diet to solid food), environmental (temperature, characteristics of the lodging system), social (separation from the dam, interactions with unknown mates), and physical (transportation). Therefore, weaning leads to intense taxation of adaptive processes, both at the behavioural and at the neuroendocrine level. The consequences of weaning are more intense with earlier ages, although detailed biological data are still scarce. Several behavioural and biological indices indicate that the welfare of the piglets may be compromised during this period of intense adaptation. Experimental data clearly show that the anorexia or, at least, the nutritional deficit due to the abrupt transition from milk to solid food plays a major role in these alterations. New experimental approaches have been developed, allowing a detailed investigation of neuroendocrine changes in urinary excretion of stress hormones (cortisol and catecholamines), together with the monitoring of behavioural changes and production traits. Those new approaches should allow more comprehensive studies of the different factors impinging upon piglets at weaning when nutritional needs are covered, as well as a better appraisal of the influence of age at weaning. This knowledge is necessary to adjust weaning procedures to ensure an optimal production rate without compromising the welfare of the animals.

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Weaning the pig

Concepts and consequences

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086865130

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 10 Oct 2003

Subjects
- Life Sciences
  - General
  - Animal & Veterinary

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Behavioural changes and adaptations associated with weaning

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Weaning the pig

Concepts and consequences

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