Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Environmental enrichment for pigs has traditionally focused on manipulable materials, while visual stimuli have received comparatively limited attention. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pigs showed greater interest in a mirror’s reflective surface compared to a non-reflective side (control) when placed individually in a novel environment. The study further examined how this interest was expressed through physical interaction with the mirror, spatial positioning within the test arena, vocalisations, and social interactions with pigs in neighbouring pens.
A total of 50 pigs participated in the study. Each pig was individually exposed to either the reflective surface of a mirror (N = 25) or the non-reflective side (control; N = 25) during a three-minute test period in a novel arena. Behavioural observations included latency to first physical contact with the mirror, frequency of mirror-directed exploratory behaviour, spatial positioning in relation to the mirror, vocalisations, exploratory behaviour directed towards the floor and walls, and interactions with neighbouring pigs.
Pigs exposed to the reflective surface explored the mirror significantly more frequently and spent more time in the zone closest to the mirror compared to pigs exposed to the non-reflective side. These differences remained throughout the observation period. In contrast, pigs exposed to the non-reflective side vocalised more frequently and directed more attention towards walls and neighbouring pigs. No statistically significant differences were observed in latency to first Contact with the mirror or in floor-directed exploratory behaviour.
The results suggest that the reflective properties of the mirror influenced the pigs’ behaviour and maintained their interest over time to a greater extent than the non-reflective control side. However, the study does not determine how the pigs perceived the mirror image or whether the responses reflected self-recognition, social interpretation, or general visual stimulation. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of how pigs respond to visual stimuli and may provide a basis for future research on mirrors and other forms of visual environmental enrichment in pig production.