Description of the behaviors evaluated in the ethogram of pigs submitted to orchiectomy (castration)

Normal behavior

Stand inactive

Standing still, without expression of other normal behaviors

Walk

Walking

Sit

Seated

Lie down

At rest, lying down

Sleep

Sleeping

Eat

Eating from the trough

Drink

Drinking water

Root

Exploring the environment, rooting around the pen, or lying down

Urinate/ Defecate

Act of urinating or defecating

Friendly social interactions

Lick

Perform small chewing movements while touching another animal

Smell

Smelling another piglet standing or lying down

Aggressive social interaction

Fight

Direct physical confrontation, with head butts, pushes, bites and chases, in rapid and continuous succession

Stereotypical behavior

Bite

Biting parts of the pen (bars, trough)

Run/ Agitated

Visibly stressed, running around the pen; disturbed, with escapist behavior

Behavior indicative of pain

Altered posture

Presenting one or more repetitions of abnormal behaviors: standing kicking, scratching/rubbing the affected area (example surgical wound), protecting the affected area (example surgical wound), contracted muscles, arched back, and energetic tail wagging

Difficulty walking

Difficulty walking, apparent discomfort in the perineal region, contraction of scrotal region, and energetic tail wagging

Lie down alone

Quiet, lying alone in the pen, not allowing interaction

Lie down uncomfortably

 Changes posture with apparent discomfort, tail wagging and/or rubbing the affected area (example surgical wound) on the floor