The backtest modification in piglet behavior test

The aim of presented study was to evaluate behavioral reaction to modified backtest in set of 25 piglets. The backtest was performed without holding or touching tested piglet. The backtest was repeated three times at the ages 3, 4 and 5 weeks and latency attempt to turn, number of attempts and duration test to turn were recorded. All backtest parameters were influenced by modification. Latency was shorter than in classical backtest, 7.48 s in 1st test, 6.69 s in 2nd test and 3.45 s in 3rd test on average. Number of attempts showed very low variability, most piglets did turn at first attempt (60% in 1st test, 76% in 2nd test and 84% in 3rd test). Duration correlated with latency and was shorter than in classical backtest as well. The consistency of behavior in repeated tests (Spearman rank correlation) was from 0.463 to 0.704 (P