| “Non-specific” behaviors |
| Suckling |
Teat in the mouth. Vigorous rhythmic suckling movements. |
| Udder massage |
Nose in contact with the udder, leaning against it. Ample and rhythmic up and down head movements. |
| Teat seeking |
Attempts to find a teat by walking and pushing other piglets, while most of the others are suckling. |
| Nosing |
The snout is close to or in contact with a substrate or a pen-mate. Snout movements may be observed. |
| Chewing |
Nibbling at littermates (ears, tail or foot, etc.) or substrates. |
| Licking |
Rubbing the tongue over littermates, floor or pen walls. |
| Playing |
Head shaking, springing (sudden jumping or leaping), running with vertical and horizontal bouncy movements. Can involve partners (gentle nudging or pushing, mounting, chasing…). |
| Aggression |
Forceful fighting, pushing with the head or biting littermates in a violent manner. |
| Walking |
Slowly moving forward with one leg at a time. |
| Running |
Trot or gallop without sudden change in direction or speed. |
| Sleeping |
Lying down, eyes closed. |
| Pain-castration related behaviours |
| Huddled up |
Lying with at least 3 legs tucked under the body. |
| Trembling |
Shivering as with cold. The animal may be lying, sitting or standing. |
| Spasms |
Quick and involuntary contractions of the muscles under the skin, of a leg. |
| Scratching |
Scratching the rump by rubbing it against the floor or the pen walls. |
| Tail wagging |
Tail’s movements from side to side or up and down. |
| Postures |
| Lateral lying |
Motionless; body weight supported by side. Shoulder in contact with floor. |
| Ventral lying |
Motionless; body weight supported by belly. Sternum in contact with floor. |
| Sitting |
Motionless; body weight supported by hind-quarters and front legs. |
| Standing |
Motionless; body weight supported by the 4 legs. |
| Kneeling |
Motionless; body weight supported by front carpal joints and hind legs. |
| Social cohesion |
| Isolated |
Apart from other piglets, alone or with one pen-mate at the most. A distance of at least 40 cm (about the width of two piglets) separates the animal from the closest group of littermates. |
