Savaging behaviour in gilts and sows

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of parity, prior experience, and environmental conditions on the incidence of savaging on seven commercial farms. Results indicated that 3.40% of gilts and 1.22% of sows killed one or more piglets (P < 0.05). Fourteen percent of sows that savaged as gilts also savaged during their second farrowing, compared to 0.8% of sows that had not reviously savaged. The incidence of savaging was similar among gilts during the first (all gilt herd) and second (gilt/sow herd) farrowing cycles. Key words: Savaging, gilts, sows, pigs, maternal behaviour