02697nas a2200289   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260007000043653000800113653001700121653001400138653001200152100001500164700001400179700002000193700001500213700001600228700001600244700002900260700001500289700001600304245007000320300001000390490000800400520198500408022001402393       2014                            d  c07/2014bSchlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KGaHannover10apig10asoft surface10abehaviour10awelfare1 aM Ostović1 aS Menčik1 aA Ekert Kabalin1 aG Gračner1 aM Vučemilo1 aK Matković1 aT Trbojević Vukičević1 aJ Grahovac1 aZ Pavičić00aThe Effect of Rubber Flooring on Displaying Stereotypies in Gilts  a14-190 v1283 aThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of rubber mats in service unit on  displaying stereotypies in gilts. Four 28-day production cycles in all seasons were  observed. Each cycle included 28 gilts housed in gestation stalls with slatted  concrete floor, which was covered with adjusted mats for 14 gilts (experimental  group), while the remaining 14 gilts served as controls. Display of stereotypies  and other behaviours observed, mat manipulation and postural behaviours were  estimated by direct 1-hour observation of gilts at 2-minute intervals after morning  feed supply on days 1, 8, 15 and 28 of each cycle. During the study period,  displaying stereotypies was significantly less frequent (P  lt;0.05) in experimental  group as compared with control group. The rate of particular forms of stereotypies,  i.e. vacuum chewing, bar biting and teeth grinding, was also significantly  lower (P  lt;0.05 all) in experimental group throughout the study period. A  significant negative correlation (P  lt; .05) was found between the service unit air  temperature and frequency of displaying stereotypies in control group, which  could be attributed to the significantly more common standing posture (P  lt;0.05)  in control gilts in the conditions of lower air temperature. During the cold period,  experimental gilts took a lying position significantly more frequently (P  lt;0.05). In  the experimental group of gilts there was no significant correlation (P  gt;0.05 all)  between the frequency of displaying stereotypies and the frequency of lying and  other postures observed, as well as between the stereotypy display and the air  temperature. There was no significant correlation (P  gt;0.05 all) between the frequency  of mat manipulation and displaying stereotypies in total or its particular  forms, suggesting that the less pronounced stereotypy display in experimental  gilts may have been influenced by factors other than those observed in the  present study.   a0005-9366