Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals: Chapter 11. Behavioral Genetics in Pigs and Relations to Welfare

Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals: Chapter 11. Behavioral Genetics in Pigs and Relations to Welfare
ISBN-10
0128060026
ISBN-13
9780128060025
Series
Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals
Category
Medical
Pages
496
Language
English
Published
2013-04-22
Publisher
Elsevier Inc. Chapters
Authors
Lotta Rydhmer, Laurianne Canario

Description

Research in behavioral genetics is important for pig welfare. Consequences of the ongoing selection for high production on pigs’ behavior need to be studied, as well as possibilities to select directly for changed behavior. The Farm Animal Welfare Council’s definition of welfare is based on five freedoms related to hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury or disease, fear and distress and normal behavior. All these freedoms are associated with pig behavior. Maternal behavior related to piglet survival and aggressive behavior of pigs kept in groups are especially important for welfare. Pig breeding programs could be further developed by including behavioral traits relevant for welfare.

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