The intelligence of pigs and the comfort of dogs

Like humans, bored and frustrated pigs often show unsociable behavior, such as chewing and biting other pigs’ tails and ears. This can lead to wounding, bleeding, infection, illness and even death. Pigs are intelligent animals and learn quickly. A German agricultural research institute has taken advantage of pigs’ intelligence to make them more manageable. The institute’s researchers have taught ‘table manners’ to pigs.

Unlike in conventional piggeries, here a computer calls individual pigs to the feeder. First, the pigs have to learn their names. While the animal is being fed, a computer repeats its name, and it does not take long for the pig to associate the sound of its name with food. The researchers found that names with three syllables work best.

Then, the pigs discover that pushing through the automated gate that leads to the feeder is not possible unless it’s their turn. A computer recognises each pig by the chip in its ear and the gate opens only for the animal that has been called to the feeder. In small groups of eight to ten animals, it takes about a week for Anneliese, Edelgard, Brunhilde and their stable mates to learn how to get to their food in a civilised manner. 

In this research piggery, aggression among pigs has been reduced. Injuries have halved compared to conventional piggeries and less medication is required. The animals have to be attentive – they could be called to dinner anytime – and are therefore less bored, which in turn reduces unsocial behavior. Surely, this improves conditions during the animals’ short lives en route to the abattoir.

Over a decade ago, Professor of Animal Sciences Stanley Curtis taught Hamlet and Omelette to play computer games. Curtis modified a joystick so the pigs could easily grab it with their snouts. With the help of food, he got Hamlet and Omelette interested in the joystick and then taught the animals to make the connection between the joystick manipulation and the movement of the cursor on a computer screen. The games involved moving a cursor and line it up with icons on the screen. The pigs learned to play the simple games as quickly as primates.

Pigs can recognise themselves in a mirror, they retain a visual memory of their family group, and they remember where food is stored. Some have even been observed deceiving their fellow pigs by holding out on knowledge of where the best food is hidden, and instead lead them to a less desirable food supply, so as to reserve the best for themselves.

At the end of its short life, the pig endures a stressful trip on a truck to the abattoir and death on a production line. It is stunned first and then has its throat cut. The production line is fast, and things can happen in the reverse order. In that case, the unlucky pig is still conscious when its throat is slit or when it hangs in shackles from the slaughter line.

My dog Katie, on the other hand, died a peaceful death. I was holding her head, our noses touching, while the vet injected her leg with a substance that gently induced her last, long sleep.