Is Sarcoptes scabiei infection in pigs a major welfare concern? A quantitative assessment of its effect in the host’s nocturnal rubbing and lying behavior

The nocturnal rubbing and lying behavior of commercial fattening pigs from moderately (M) and heavily (H) Sarcoptes scabiei–infected farms was investigated. The study included 4 cohorts (2 per farm) of 11-15 acaricide-treated (uninfected) and untreated (infected) 4- to 7-month-old pigs, and the time and number of behavioral bouts were monitored for 350 hours over 101 days. Auricular […]