Читать книгу Veterinary Treatment of Pigs - Graham R Duncanson - Страница 86

There are three main factors which contribute to abnormal behaviour in pigs. They are management, nutrition and disease. Management factors are the most common but least acceptable to pig keepers. Clinicians need considerable tact when dealing with these problems. Changes in management may be small and not expensive; equally they may be large and very costly. Clinicians need to be very sure of their diagnosis before advising on the latter course of action. Prudence would dictate that nutritional and disease problems are ruled out before costly changes are advised.

The effect of dietary inadequacy on pig welfare is seen particularly in early weaned pigs. Cheaper diets tend not to have ingredients which are palatable to newly weaned pigs. Reduced feed intake causes not only a slowing of growth rates but also increases behavioural problems.