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This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

Introduction: Oligosaccharides found in mammalian milk have shown the potential to alter brain development across multiple species. The diversity and concentration of these oligosaccharides is species-specific and varies greatly between individuals, thus understanding their role in cognitive development is warranted. We investigated the impact of early life dietary fucosylated/neutral or sialylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) on behaviours in tasks assessing anxiety, motivation, appetite, learning, and memory. Methods: Sixty-four female Göttingen minipigs were artificially reared from 2 weeks postnatal and provided milk replacers. The study used four groups: no additional oligosaccharides (Con), fucosylated and neutral oligosaccharides (FN, 4 g/L), sialylated oligosaccharides (SL, 0.68 g/L), or both FN and SL (FN + SL, 4 g/L) from 2 to 11 weeks postnatal. One reference group was sow-reared. Weaning occurred between 10 and 11 weeks postnatal, and thereafter an obesogenic diet was provided. Behavioral tasks were conducted over three periods: 1) 0–11 weeks; 2) 16–29 weeks; 3) 39–45 weeks. Tasks included a spatial holeboard task, open field task, exposure to a novel object, runway task, single-feed task, and home pen behaviour observation. Results: In the holeboard, the SL group demonstrated improved reference memory during reversal trials between 16-29 weeks. All groups demonstrated equivalent behavior in open field, novel object, runway, and single-feed tasks, as well as in their home pens (Ps > 0.05). Discussion: These results suggest that early life dietary intake of sialylated oligosaccharides may provide an improvement to cognition during the equivalent developmental stage of adolescence.

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

This presentation describes the methodology and the first results of an experiment of genetic selection for lower piglet mortality. Young females (G1 generation) were chosen from sows (G0) reared in conventional herds. G1 females were raised from weaning in the organic pig farm from INRAE (Porganic). G0 sows were selected for high piglet survival, large number of weaned piglets, and indications from breeders about their ease of farrowing and good maternal behaviour. G0 and G1 females were inseminated with semen from boars selected for high breeding values. G1 females were conducted in batches of 12 females, half being crated around farrowing and half being loose around farrowing. Performance of G1 females after their 1st, 2nd and 3rd farrowing events are presented. These preliminary results suggest that piglet mortality is similar in both systems when calculated on the overall lactation but mortality seems to be slightly delayed in crated compared to loose-housed sows. First results also suggest that the piglet mortality is influenced by the behaviour of sows, even more in the situation of temporary crating around farrowing. These preliminary data were obtained within the Era-Net CORE Organic Cofund project (Power project: https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/power/). The experiment is continuing within the H2020 PPILOW project (https://www.ppilow.eu/).

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

Méthodes alternatives pour la supplémentation en fer des porcelets. Diaporama de la présentation.

So far, the most common and efficient iron supply to prevent neonatal anemia in piglets has been the injection of iron dextran or gleptoferron. This treatment is problematic because the use of chemically-synthesized allopathic drugs is strictly limited in organic farms. Based on the observation that piglets raised outdoors seldom develop anaemia, we hypothesized that piglets satisfy their needs in iron by ingesting soil from their environment. We compared the efficiency of a 100-mg iron dextran intramuscular injection (Dex, 8 litters, n=98 piglets) at 5 days of age (d5), with daily ad libitum supply of dried soil (Soil, 8 litters, n=101) or dried peat-like river mud (Peat, 8 litters, n=102) from day 5 to weaning on d49. Pigs were raised according to organic pig faming rules. Blood was collected on 3 males and 3 females per litter on d5, 21, 42, 50 and 70. A severe digestive E. coli episode affected piglets during the experiment: litter mortality rate between d5 and d70 did not differ between groups (24%, P>0.1). Body weight was similar (P>0.1) in the three groups on d5 (1.89 ± 0.02 kg), d21 (5.19 ± 0.07kg), d42 (10.0 ± 0.2 kg), d50 (11.8 ± 0.2 kg) and d70 (24.1 ± 0.4 kg). Blood haemoglobin concentration (Hb) was similar in all groups at d5, weaning and d70 (7.8, 10.1 and 10.0 ± 0.1 g/L). However, Hb was greater in Peat and Dex groups (10.4 and 9.9 ± 0.4 g/L) than in the Soil group (7.8 ± 0.4 g/L, P<0.01) on d21, and greater in the Peat group (11.3 ± 0.4 g/L) than in Dex and Soil groups (9.2 ± and 8.9 ± 0.3 g/L, P<0.01) on d42. Mean globular volume (MCV) of erythrocytes was stable in time in the Peat group (55.0 ± 0.2 fl). In comparison to the Peat group, MCV dropped in the Soil group on d21 and d42 (45 and 45 ± 1 fl, P <0.001), and in the Dex group on d42 (46 ± 1 fl, P<0.01). Soil and Dex groups had returned to values similar to Peat group by d70 (P<0.1). To conclude, the supply of soil was not able to ensure a satisfactory level of iron in the piglets whereas peat

In recent years, lactose-free and low-lactose infant formulas have been increasingly used. The impact of using different carbohydrates than lactose on later cognition of formula-fed infants remains, however, unknown. We examined the effects of providing formulas containing either digestible maltodextrin or lactose as main carbohydrate source (28% of total nutrient composition) on cognitive performance of piglets. Piglets received the formulas from 1 to 9 weeks of age and, starting at 12 weeks, were individually tested in a spatial holeboard task (n = 8 pens/formula), in which they had to learn and memorize a configuration of baited buckets. After 28 acquisition trials, piglets were subjected to 16 reversal trials in which the location of the baited buckets was changed. Piglets fed the maltodextrin-based formula had higher reference memory (RM) scores than piglets fed the lactose-based formula towards the end of acquisition. During the switch of configuration, piglets offered the maltodextrin-based formula tended to have higher RM scores and make fewer RM errors than piglets offered the lactose-based formula. Working (short-term) memory was not affected by the formulas. Compared to lactose, the use of maltodextrin in milk formulas improved long-term spatial memory of piglets, even weeks after the end of the intervention.

The increased consumption of diets high in saturated fats and refined sugars is a major public health concern in Western human societies. Recent studies suggest that perinatal exposure to dietary fat and/or sugar may affect behavioural development. We thus investigated the effects of perinatal exposure to a high-fat high-sugar diet (HFS) on behavioural development and production performance of piglets. Thirty-two non-obese sows and their piglets were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design, with 8-week prenatal (gestation) and 8-week postnatal (lactation and post-weaning) exposure to a HFS diet (12% saturated fat, 18.5% sucrose, 1% cholesterol) or control low-fat low-sugar high-starch diets as factors. From weaning onwards (4 weeks of age), piglets were housed in group of 3 littermates (n = 8 groups/treatment) and fed ad libitum. After the end of the dietary intervention (8 weeks of age), all the piglets were fed a standard commercial diet. Piglet behaviours in the home pens were scored, and skin lesions, growth, feed intake and feed efficiency were measured up to 8 weeks after the end of the dietary treatment, i.e. until 16 weeks of age. At the end of the dietary treatment (8 weeks of age), response to novelty was assessed in a combined open field and novel object test (OFT/NOT). During the weeks following weaning, piglets fed the postnatal HFS diet tended to be less aggressive (p = 0.06), but exhibited more oral manipulation of pen mates (p = 0.05) than controls. Compared to controls, piglets fed the prenatal or postnatal HFS diet walked more in the home pen (p ≤ 0.05), and tended to have fewer skin lesions (p <0.10). Several behavioural effects of the postnatal HFS diet depended on the prenatal diet, with piglets subjected to a switch of diet at birth being more active, and exploring feeding materials, pen mates, and the environment more than piglets that remained on the same diet. Behaviours during the OFT/NOT were not affected by the diet. Th