Some pig breeding farms use computerised feeders for the pregnant sows. Each sow is fitted with an electronic collar which triggers the release of each sow’s meal individually. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some pigs reject the collars and will get them off. Other clever pigs have learnt that picking up the collar and taking it through the computerised feeding area means that they get another meal.
The farmer of course needs to replace the collars of the sows who discarded theirs, otherwise those sows will not get any food.
A TV series called ‘Clever Critters’ filmed some of these sows and you can see them here:
The clip says the sows are only fed one meal per day. The farmer does provide straw, a really important basic enrichment for pigs. But these clever animals may be hungry and they also will look for interesting activities to fill their days of pregnancy. It is admirable how they use their wits to beat the system!
Pigs are intelligent and curious and need an interesting environment. Image (c) Compassion in World Farming/Martin Usborne
“A cat looks down on man, a dog looks up to man,
but a pig will look man right in the eye and see his equal.”
Winston Churchill
Tags: animal agriculture, animal farming, pig, sentience, tool use
[...] This is really significant, as use of tools by animals is said to be a sign of higher mental functioning, as is planning for the future. Some people used to believe that only humans had such advanced abilities, but we are increasingly learning that we are not so unique after all (see Rooks, Pigs). [...]