Influence of Group Size and Space Allowance on Production Performance and Mixing Behavior of Weaned Piglets

摘要

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of different group sizes (10, 20 and 40pigs per group) and space allowances (0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 m2 per pig) on production performance and mixing behaviors (feeding, drinking, excreting, lying and aggression) of weaned piglets.The piglets in large group (40 pigs per pen) illustrated a better production performance.Lying,feeding, and drinking behavior were not affected by the group sizes, however, the fighting behavior of the piglets in large group was greatly reduced.Furthermore, aggressive behavior was significantly lowered (P ＜ 0.05) by the setting of playing toys inside the pens for the groups of 10, and 20 pigs/pen.Significant reductions of both duration and frequency of fighting behavior were found in the second 24 h after mixing (P ＜ 0.05), indicated that the group was becoming stabilized.Production performance of piglets with the largest space allowance was significantly improved (P ＜ 0.05), and the fighting behavior was effectively reduced as well(P ＜ 0.05).Again with the toys, a considerable reduction on the aggression was observed,especially for the group with smallest space allowance (P ＜ 0.05).