Study on the behaviour of Cinta Senese sows and piglets reared outdoors.

The aim of this study was to observe the behaviour of Cinta Senese sows and their litters reared in outdoor systems. Data were collected on 4 sows weekly for 24 consecutive hours (1-hour intervals) and submitted to analysis of variance with fixed effects: season (spring and summer) and day slots (morning, afternoon, evening and night). The behavioural models were collected into 5 main activities for sows and 6 for piglets. Considering only the main effects, sows spent the most time at rest, especially in summer (P<0.01), and in the afternoon (77 %) and night (76 %) and therefore the search for food occurred mainly in morning (15 %) and evening (37 %). The activity of rooting (spring > summer; P<0.01) occurred also mainly in morning and evening (30 and 15 %, respectively). In addition, piglets spent much time at rest; in particular, during the first weeks of life they preferred to stay in group (44 %) rather than isolates (13 %). Time spent for feeding was highest in spring and in morning and evening (P<0.01). Rooting activity was influenced by season and day slot (P<0.01).