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Influence of social conditions during rearing on the sexual behaviour of the domestic boar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

P. H. Hemsworth ,
R. G. Beilharz  and
D. B. Galloway
P. H. Hemsworth
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
R. G. Beilharz
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
D. B. Galloway
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria 3030, Australia
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Summary

Three groups of six young male pigs (boars) were reared from 20 days to 7 mo of age under one of the following social conditions: a mixed sex group; an all-male group; or social restriction, without physical and visual contact with other pigs. The sexual behaviour of the boars was studied from 7 to 13 mo of age. The total number of copulations and the sum of all the courting behaviour activities were significantly greater (P<0·01) for the boars reared in the all-male and the mixed sex groups than for those reared in social restriction. Growth rate to 30 weeks of age, testicle size and semen quality were not affected by rearing treatment.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , April 1977 , pp. 245 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1977

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References

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