Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Social support refers to the stress attenuation and welfare benefits of companionship. Social animals are drawn to the company of conspecifics - especially when under stress.

Companionship in stress can lower behavioural, physiological, neurological and immunological stress responses. Social support can be effective both when a companion is present during a stressful experience and when companionship is provided just after a stressful experience.

Previous studies indicate that animals derive more comfort and better stress buffering from a companion that is familiar to them.

The effect of familiarity in social support in pigs has so far only been studied in young piglets. It has been found that any other piglet, familiar or stranger, can provide comfort when piglets are seperated from their dam.

However, as pigs mature they prefer the company of familiar conspecifics. Strangers are rarely accepted into existing social groups and mixing of pig groups leads to fights in the production environment.

I had two aims for my thesis project: 

The primary aim was to study the effect of familiarity in social support in juvenile pigs exposed to a foam-stunning situation.

The secondary aim was to study animal personality in relation to social support in juvenile pigs.