Effects of a competitive feeding situation on the behaviour and energy requirements of gestating sows

In groups of gestating sows, accessing feed supply may be a source of tension and induce aggressiveness and fights. Using electronic sow feeders (ESF) could help to ensure that each sow eats its entire ration in a group-housed pen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a competitive feeding situation related to the management of the ESF, on the overall behaviour, physical activity, and energy requirements of gestating sows. A total of 32 sows, divided into two groups, were involved in the study. The feed competition was created by closing the access of one of the two feeders available in each gestation room for 5 consecutive days. This situation was repeated twice, each time preceded by one control week during which both feeders were available. Automatons, accelerometers and manual video analysis recorded each sow's feeding, drinking and social behaviour, their physical activity, occupation and location in the pen. Linear mixed effect models were used, including the fixed effects of treatment (feed competition or control), repetition (first or second period), group (2 modalities), social ranking (3 modalities), their interactions, and the random effect of sow. During competitive feeding situations, the number of negative interactions doubled (P