The objective was to compare the behavior of loose-housed outdoor litters that had one or more piglet mortalities (CR; n=4) compared to litters where no mortalities occurred (NC; n=4). The litter of piglets was observed using 10-min scan samples over 72 h from birth and individual piglets were continually observed 1 h prior to death. Postures, nursing, unknown, location within the hut, and vicinity to the sow were determined. There were no differences observed for any measures 1 h before a piglet's death. There were no differences for treatment or day by treatment over the 72 h for behaviors or vicinity to sow. There was a day effect with piglets becoming more inactive and nursing less often from d1 to d3. There was a day effect for vicinity to sow with piglets spending less time by the sow over the 3 d. Few behavioral differences were observed between treatments.
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This article is published as Johnson, A. K., J. R. Garvey, L. J. Sadler, A. M. Meiszberg, J. L. Morrow, K. J. Stalder, and J. J. McGlone. "Risky behaviors performed by the piglet 72 hours after parturition that can contribute to pre-weaning mortality when housed in farrowing huts." Acta Agriculturae Scand Section A 59, no. 1 (2009): 53-58. doi: 10.1080/09064700902988913.