This type of behavior occurs relatively often in swine housed in close confinement, particularly farrowing or gestation crates, or on concrete floors without bedding material and with a concentrated diet. Bar biting is considered to be an indicator of boredom, but since its occurrence is increased prior to farrowing, it also may be a component of vacuum nest building or a displacement activity linked to predelivery discomfort. Also see Cribbing. Definition from Hurnik et al., 1995. Definition from Hurnik et al., 1995.
Bared teeth is a threat signal and is an integral part of aggressive biting.
Definition from Hurnik et al., 1995. The amplitude of a bark is highest at the beginning of the sound and falls sharply thereafter. The pitch is usually between 2 and 3 kHz. Barks appear to be both threat and alarm calls, having a high arousal effect on other pigs, particularly preweaned young. Other animals react to barking with quick orientation, followed by a brief period of immobility and silence.