Animals, Volume 10, Issue 8
2020 August - 201 articles
Cover Story: Aggression between farmed pigs is common during regrouping but rarely severe in stable social groups. We report the occurrence of lethal gang aggression in groups of familiar pigs, whereby the group fatally attacks one member. We document this extreme aggression and suggest potential causes by farmer surveys and information on victims’ injuries and body condition. Gang aggression occurred more on farms with deep straw bedding; however, this may also be related to other factors, which could not be discerned. Gang aggression was not limited to specific genetics, breed, or feed type. It equally occurred between females and males and tended to occur more in winter. Dead victims were covered in injuries, but had a healthy body condition, whereas survivors had a lower body condition score. We hope this study will stimulate work to understand lethal gang aggression. Photo by SRUC. View this paper - Issues are regarded as officially published after their release is announced to the table of contents alert mailing list .
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