Social interactions, precursors of damaging behaviours, object manipulation, straw rooting, and activity: a detailed data set in undocked pigs under protein restriction

Abstract

Damaging behaviours, such as tail biting, are common problems in pig production, compromising animal welfare and causing economic losses. Detailed studies are impeded by laborious direct observations. Tail biting is a broader phenomenon that begins long before lesions manifest, and behavioural problems caused by various stressors present themselves weeks before they escalate to damaging behaviour. Therefore, we collected detailed data on behaviours considered precursors to tail biting, such as oral and nasal manipulation of conspecifics. Dietary protein reduction is a promising way to reduce nitrogen emissions in pig manure, but its implications for animal welfare are not yet clear. The CP content in the diet was reduced to 80% of the recommendations. Pigs differ in their ability to utilise dietary proteins; therefore, there might be individual differences in how they cope with the protein reduction. Here, we present detailed data of focal observations of 95 pigs at an experimental farm with undocked tails. Pigs were observed directly by the same person for five minutes on four different days. All actions directed towards objects in the pen, interactions with and confrontations among pen mates, straw rooting behaviour and general activity were recorded. After the behavioural observations, wounds on different body parts and the cleanliness were noted by the same person observing the pigs. The protein efficiency of 94 pigs was obtained. The data set comprises six tables. The first table contains information on the animals, including the identities of their parents, farrowing group, sex, and protein efficiency. The other data tables contain four 5-min observations of each pig on 10 object-manipulation behaviours; 150 interaction behaviours, including reactions; 14 confrontation behaviours and their outcomes and reactions; 10 mounting behaviours, including reactions; two rooting behaviours; seven basic behaviours; and an index of general activity. The observations took place under comparatively good housing conditions. Pigs were given fresh straw daily, ad libitum access to feed, floor space above the legal requirements, and daily cleaning of pens, and they were closely monitored for signs of damaging behaviour; all of these are favourable conditions as they limit stress and the risk of damaging behaviour. These data can be used to further explore the relationships of specific behaviours and phenomena and their association with protein efficiency. The ethogram can be used as a template for further observations. Practitioners could use the data to support pigs’ need for occupation, such as by providing sufficient straw.