Award details

Maternal behaviour of outdoor sows: variation and contribution to piglet growth and survival

Reference	D11142
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Georgia Mason
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr J Guise, Dr Suzanne Held, Professor Michael Mendl
Institution	University of Oxford
Department	Zoology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	60,084
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/09/2002
End date	01/09/2003
Duration	12 months

Abstract

In mammals, variation in maternal behaviour can have a major impact on offspring viability and welfare. This relationship remains largely unexplored in farm animals. Our project examines the variation in maternal behaviour of outdoor sows, its consistency and its effect on piglet survival, growth and handleability. In Phase I we will record maternal behaviour, piglet survival, growth and handleability in 48 outdoor sows over three parities. General Linear Modelling will be used to assess the contributions made by the measured variables in a) piglet viability and handleability and b) the maternal behaviour. Phase 2 will test experimentally the key factors predicted from the Phase I models to be influencing piglet growth and survival. (Joint with grant D11141).

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

Associated awards:

D11141 Maternal behaviour of outdoor sows: variation and contribution to piglet growth and survival

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