Loading Behavior
During loading, behavior was recorded by direct observation as pigs were moved through a start pen and up a loading ramp onto the truck. Behavior patterns were recorded using a handheld Psion Workabout (Mississauga, ON, Canada) computer. One trained technician observed the pigs and recorded all occurrences of pig behavior (Table 1). A second trained technician recorded the time it took to move the pigs through the start pen and up the ramp. A third trained technician recorded the frequency of any necessary interventions from the handler, including speaking, whistling, other
vocal sound, rattle noise (from a paddle), tapping with a
paddle, and pushing with a board.