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Prostaglandin F2a Induced Nest Building Behavior In The Non-Pregnant Sow, And Some Welfare Considerations, Judith K. Blackshaw
Prostaglandin F2a Induced Nest Building Behavior In The Non-Pregnant Sow, And Some Welfare Considerations, Judith K. Blackshaw
International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems
Nest-building behavior, induced with intramuscular injections of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a), was studied in non-pregnant sows. Acute effects were also recorded, including salivation, scratching, vomiting, defecation, and ataxia. Sows (Large White x Landrace) were housed in two different environments; six in bare pens and six in pens provided with bedding material. All cases except one (bare pen) nest-building sequences of differing intensities were recorded. Welfare suggestions include questioning the justification of using a drug (PGF2a) in pig husbandry, which has unpleasant acute effects, and the suggestion that the provision of bedding material is not necessary for a nest-building sequence to occur.