Suckling behaviour in domestic foals and the development of abnormal oral behaviour
We investigated how the behaviour of domestic foals, Equus caballus, living at pasture with their dams was associated with foal gender, mare rank and the development of abnormal oral behaviour, both during the preweaning period, and over a period of up to 4 years postweaning. A population of 186 foals belonging to private owners and […]
Effect of mares’ dominance rank on suckling behaviour in the loose housed domestic horses
Suckling is a main part of maternal investment in equids. The suckling period is crucial for adequate physical as well as psychical development of the foal. The rank of the mother and her aggressiveness could be factors responsible for later reproductive or social success of the foal. We hypothesised that under conditions characterized by balanced […]
Formation of teat order and estimation of piglets’ distribution along the mammary complex using mid-domain effect (MDE) model
Domestic piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) establish relatively stable teat order after the first week postpartum. Formation of teat order is normally accompanied by intense competition between littermates. In this period, piglets’ behaviour and their distribution along the mammary complex is subject to various external influences. In the present study, time-dependent changes of suckling pattern in […]
Behavioural patterns established during suckling reappear when piglets are forced to form a new dominance hierarchy
Early life experiences considerably influence the behavioural development of the animals in which the social environment plays a crucial role. Neonatal piglets experience intense social (including aggressive) interactions when compete with their littermates for the access to teats on the sow’s udder. Competition among piglets is not of equal intensity at all parts of the […]