Nosing Around: Play in Pigs

• Main Author: Kristina Horback
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Animal Behavior and Cognition 2014-05-01
• Series: Animal Behavior and Cognition
• Subjects: Play behavior; Domestic swine; Olfaction; Animal welfare
• Online Access: http://www.animalbehaviorandcognition.org/uploads/journals/2/08.Horback_Final.pdf

The predominant method of measuring welfare in swine focuses on overt physical ailments, such as skin lesions, lameness, and body condition. An alternative metric for assessing welfare in swine can be to measure the frequency and duration of positive behavioral states, such as play. Given that play occurs only when an animal's primary needs (food, comfort, safety, etc.) have been satisfied, it has been suggested that play may be a sensitive indicator for assessing the welfare of non-human animals. Play has primarily been described in young piglets and is assessed via the occurrence of specific play markers. These play markers include overt bursts of energy like scamper, or more subtle social behaviors like nose-to-body contact. This review describes four areas of play for swine: locomotor, object, sow-piglet, and, peer play. From sporadic leaping to combative wrestling, play behavior allows for the fine-tuning of reflexive behavior which can enhance physical development, enrich cognitive abilities, and facilitate the maintenance of social bonds.