The Role of Visual, Auditory, and Olfactory Stimuli in Teat Seeking Behavior of Piglets

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to clarify the role of sensory stimuli in teat seeking behavior of piglets. Thirty-seven piglets from five litters were used. By intercepting one, a couple, or all visual, auditory and olfactory stimuli from the piglets, their behavior was videotaped, and the route used and time spent on teat seeking were recorded. All piglets were tested from 5 to 12 days of age. The piglets in all cases with added visual interception took significantly more time to reach their dams' teats and increased the number of direction changes during teat seeking, while the piglets in all cases with added olfactory interception showed no significant effects. Auditory interception showed the neutral effects. These results show that the visual stimulus is the most important aspect of teat seeking behavior by piglets, and that olfactory interception has a lesser effect than the other two senses. ER -