Influence of width and bends on the ease of movement of pigs along races

Vet Rec. 1992 Mar 7;130(10):202-4. doi: 10.1136/vr.130.10.202.

Abstract

Pigs could be moved along a race 120 cm wide more quickly than along a race 45 cm wide. The presence of a bend with an angle of 45 degrees slowed their progress by about 10 per cent, a bend of 90 degrees or 120 degrees slowed them by 19 per cent and a 180 degrees bend slowed them by 44 per cent. There was little evidence of any interaction between the effects of width and angle of bend; the effect of a sharp bend could not be compensated for by increased width. The pigs became accustomed to the races and moved more quickly in later runs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Husbandry
  • Animals
  • Body Weight*
  • Female
  • Housing, Animal
  • Locomotion*
  • Male
  • Swine / physiology*
  • Time Factors