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The effect of breed on the expression of adverse social behaviour in pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

K. Breuer
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
M.E.M. Sutcliffe
Affiliation:
Rattlerow Farms Ltd, Hillhouse Farm, Stradbroke, Eye, Suffolk, IP21 5NB
J.T. Mercer
Affiliation:
Independent Breeding Consultants, Harryburn Stables, Lauder, Berwickshire, TD2 6PD
K.A. Rance
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 5UA
V.E. Beattie
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough Co Down, BT26 6DP
I.A Sneddon
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Queens University, Belfast, BT7 1NN
S.A. Edwards
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
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Extract

The performance of tail biting and other harmful social behaviours is a common problem on pig farms. Many risk factors relating to tail biting have been identified, but the problem remains intractable. One contributory factor may be the genetic makeup of pigs but, as with most pig behaviour, there has been little research into the genetic basis of its expression. The aim of the current experiment was to investigate the genetic component of harmful social behaviours, such as tail biting, by assessing breed differences in the predisposition to perform these behaviours.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2002

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References

Breuer, K., Beattie, V.E., Dunne, L.M., Slade, E.C., Davies, Z., Mercer, J.T., Rance, K.A., Sneddon, I.A., Sutcliffe, M.E.M. and Edwards, S.A.. (2001) Validation and Development of a Behavioural Test to Predict the Predisposition of Growing Pigs to Perform Harmful Social Behaviour such as Tail Biting. Proceedings of BSAS 2001.Google Scholar