April 6, 2007

Canada study: Large hog herds less aggressive than small ones

Pigs raised in very big groups tend to be significantly less aggressive than those raised in small groups, according to research by Canada's Prairie Swine Centre.

Dr Harold Gonyou, a research scientist in animal behavior, said each pig had the opportunity to dominate other pigs in a small herd where it was more worthwhile to fight for resources.

The pig's social behavior starts to change somewhere between 50 and 100 pigs, with clearly increased social tolerance as the number reaches 100, added Gonyou.

It was also easier to load large groups of pigs into a truck than for small groups, Gonyou commented.