Stalled Gilt Behavior when Provided with Novel Flavors on Rope Environmental Enrichment
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of flavored ropes as environmental enrichment for individually housed gilts. Twelve crossbred gilts were observed using a randomized crossover design so that gilts were tested with ropes soaked in two of the four treatments: water, salt water, sugar water, and apple juice. Oral/nasal contacts did not differ between rope treatments; however, gilts provided flavored rope enrichment were observed lying less than baseline. These results suggest that flavored rope enrichment does not alter oral/nasal contact, but may impact activity levels in individually penned gilts.
How to Cite:
Colpoys, J. D., Annen, J., Martens, K., Gabler, N. K. & Johnson, A. K., (2016) “Stalled Gilt Behavior when Provided with Novel Flavors on Rope Environmental Enrichment”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 13(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-242
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