Sows spent more time contacting enrichment in Rotate and Stimulus treatments than Constant, particularly when straw was provided. Skin lesions were scored and cortisol was measured in saliva samples in a subset of dominant and subordinate sows. Contacts with enrichment and time spent in different postures were measured using scan sampling for all sows. The effects of four enrichment treatments were studied: (1) Constant: constant provision of wood on chain (2) Rotate: rotation of three enrichments (rope, straw and wood on chain) (3) Stimulus: rotation of three enrichments with an associative stimulus (bell or whistle) and (4) Control: no enrichment. Because straw poses biosecurity and manure management concerns it is important to identify alternative enrichments which can benefit sow welfare. Many North American pork producers are transitioning to group housing systems for gestating sows and are looking to provide animals with environmental enrichment.
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