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Effect of driver and driving style on the stress responses of pigs during a short journey by trailer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

E Peeters ,
K Deprez ,
F Beckers ,
J De Baerdemaeker ,
AE Aubert  and
R Geers
E Peeters
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Quality Care in Animal Production, Zootechnical Centre, KU Leuven, Bijzondere Weg 12, B-3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
K Deprez
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Agricultural Machinery and Processing, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3010 Heverlee, Belgium
F Beckers
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg O/N, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
J De Baerdemaeker
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Agricultural Machinery and Processing, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 30, B-3010 Heverlee, Belgium
AE Aubert
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg O/N, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
R Geers*
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Quality Care in Animal Production, Zootechnical Centre, KU Leuven, Bijzondere Weg 12, B-3360 Lovenjoel, Belgium
*
* Contact for correspondence and request for reprints: rony.geers@biw.kuleuven.be
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effect of driver and driving style on the behaviour, salivary cortisol concentration, and heart-rate variability of pigs during a short journey. In addition, the effect of differing accelerations (longitudinal, lateral, and vertical) of the trailer on these variables was studied. One hundred and thirty-five cross-bred pigs (Piétrain × Hypor) were transported in groups of five on a trailer towed by a jeep. Three different drivers transported the pigs using a normal, a quiet, and a wild driving style (the latter two in relation to their normal style). Driving style mainly had an effect on the longitudinal and lateral accelerations. Salivary cortisol increases were lowest for the wild driving style. The latter can be explained by the shorter duration of these journeys and not by the accelerations, thus it is our view that acceleration due to manoeuvring as opposed to acceleration due to overall speed should be avoided. Also, in practice, journeys should take as brief a time as possible. Increasing acceleration saw an increase in the proportion of pigs standing during the journey and a decrease in the proportion of pigs lying down. Measurements of variability in heart rate revealed that lateral acceleration was an important stressor for pigs. We concluded that, as driving style has an effect on different stress variables, increased driver awareness of the effects of their driving on the responses of pigs, would improve pig welfare.

Keywords

accelerationanimal welfaredriverdriving stylepigstress
Type
Articles
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , May 2008 , pp. 189 - 196
Copyright
© 2008 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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