Table 1 Description of the behaviours of piglets [following 5,14,15]
From: Effect of local anaesthesia and/or analgesia on pain responses induced by piglet castration
1. Body position | Â |
|---|---|
Standing | Body weight supported by four legs |
Kneeling | Body weight supported by front carpal joints and hind legs |
Dog-sitting | Body weight supported by hindquarters and front legs |
Ventral lying, belly | Body weight supported by belly |
Lateral lying, side | Body weight supported by side |
2. Non-specific behaviour | |
Walking/running | Moving walking, trotting or galloping |
By udder | Activity by the udder: suckling, massaging udder or looking for a teat |
Nosing/chewing/licking | Nosing/chewing or licking material or the littermates/mother |
Playing | Head shaking, springing (sudden jumping or leaping) or running. Can involve partners (gentle nudging or pushing, mounting, chasing, etc.) |
Sleeping | Eyes closed while lying |
Awake inactive | Eyes open doing nothing |
3. Pain-related behaviour | |
Huddled up | Lying with at least three legs tucked under the body |
Spasms | Quick sudden involuntary contractions of the muscles under the skin |
Rump-scratching | Scratching the rump by rubbing it against the floor, pen walls or mother |
Stiffness | Lying with extended and tensed legs |
Prostrated | Sitting or standing motionless, with head down, lower than shoulder level |
Trembling | Shivering as with cold. The animal may be lying, sitting or standing |
4. Social cohesion | |
Isolated | Aside from other piglets, alone. A distance of at least ~40 cm separates the animal from the closest littermate |
Desynchronised | Activity different from that of most (at least 75%) littermates (e.g. sleeps while most other littermates suckle) |
5. Location | |
Heat-lamp | Sitting, standing, lying under the heat lamp |