The extra energy used for walking on the level and on negative gradients above that used when standing still (Ew) (J/m per kg live weight) was measured in two entire male donkeys (Equus asinus). Ew was not affected by speed within the measured range (V = 0·6 to 1·3 m/s) but gradient (0, −10%, −15%) had a significant effect Ew−10% = 0·97 (s.e. 0·02), Ew−10% = 0·55 (s.e. = 0·03) and Ew−15% = 0·67 (s.e. 0·03).

The extra energy cost of carrying loads (Ec), defined as J/m per kg carried was measured using the same animals. Loads were placed over the animals shoulders and speed was varied within the range 0·6 to 1·3 m/s (Eclevel = 1·1 (s.e. 0·04), Ec−10% = 2·7 (s.e. 0·17) and Ec−15% = 3·3 (s.e. 0·20) were significantly different.

The energy cost of pulling loads (Ep) (f/m per kg) was measured while the animals pulled loads up to proportionately 0·17 of their live weight. The animals wore a breast-plate harness and walking speed was varied within the range 0·6 to 1·3 m/s. Mean values were 26·5 (s.e. 0·72) on the level, 15-3 (s.e. 1·2) on the −10% gradient and 6·2 (s.e. 0·43) on the −15% gradient.

The two donkeys used in this experiment were more efficient in both carrying and pulling loads than oxen and buffaloes. Negative gradients have a significant effect on energy consumption and when estimating the energy expenditure of working animals this factor should be taken into account.

The behaviour development of intensively managed piglets, pre-weaning, in the hot humid tropics was studied with 18 litters of the Large White breed. The effect of age, sex and period of day (morning and afternoon) on the frequencies of some 14 behaviours from 1 day after birth until 34 days of age were examined using focal animal sampling on 36 piglets. Time spent lying and standing in contact declined. Time spent lying and standing alone, walking and the frequency of tail wagging, rubbing and scratching body parts, playing and fighting all significantly increased with age (P < 0·05). There was a significant (P < 0·05) linear trend, with age, in the eating of concentrates, which began at 2 weeks of age, and drinking water which occurred on the day after birth. Piglets were more active in the hot afternoons (12.00 to 16.00 h) than the cold mornings (08.00 to 12.00 h). There were no significant differences between males and females in any behavioural pattern (P < 0·05).

A feeding station is described that is used for individual food intake recordings of group-housed growing pigs. The IVOG®-station can be used for performance testing in group housing or for investigating effects of, for example housing system, food composition, breed or sex on food intake pattern and production traits.

The effect of fibre level in protein-free diets on the recovery and amino acid composition of endogenous protein collected from the ileum in pigs was studied. Although the Heal nitrogen excretion increased slightly with dietary fibre level, no significant difference was observed on the amino acid recovery between diets containing 30, 60,90 or 120 g wood cellulose per kg.

The relationships of oral stereotypies to milk production and health were investigated in 95 dairy cows that had completed between one and five lactations. Forty cows in the herd performed stereotypies, mainly tongue-rolling and to a lesser extent bar-biting. A significant positive relation was found between the dependent variable milk production and stereotypies (P < 0·05) according to a GLM-model also containing lactation group (age; P < 0·01), sire (breeding value for milk yield; P < 0·01), and health I ailments (P > 0·05). There was no correlation between different phases in lactation and the frequency of stereotypies (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0·124; no. = 0·40; P > 0·05).