Scientists investigate hog breeder’s claims about pigs’ behavior after listening to music.
Nation World News, Brussels – Scientists in Belgium investigated a pig farmer’s claims about pig behavior after listening to a song. Her pet pigs reacted in an unusual way to the sound of music.
Pete Paceman first noticed the incident when his son began singing in the barn during a conception session. Mother looked excited and started wagging her tail.
“I think it’s great to have a pass, we should try it with other pigs too,” Paceman said Nation World News From his farm between Brussels and the Dutch border.
Since then, he has created playlists of songs that match different parts of the day. Starting playing energetic music when he wanted the pigs to be active and lullabies at the end of the day.
Paceman said, “The jolly dance songs were the biggest hits. He really started wagging his tail and when it got really dynamic he started dancing and playing too. The rock music was so strong, he didn’t like it.” “
Farmer alerted a team of researchers who have secured €75,000 in funding from EU funds and the Belgian region of Flanders to investigate the claims. According to the project coordinator, Sander Palman, not much is known about the pigs’ reactions to music, but Paceman’s experience is mixed with existing knowledge about the general effects of sound on animals.
“There’s no doubt that animals have some sound effects. So it’s quite possible that music has the same effect,” Palman said.
The final results of the study are expected to be released by the end of this year. He adds that music can help relieve boredom associated with stress, even in animals. Paceman said the findings could have practical implications for the industry as meat quality is affected by stress in animals.
“A top athlete needs to be really fit physically, but also mentally. And it is the same for pigs. When they are slaughtered, you can see when they are too much are under stress. It is very important for the quality of the pork,” he said.
Summer: Nation World News
