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Temple Grandin, renowned animal behaviorist, discusses the ongoing concern of consumers with animal confinement. In this 4.5 minute video, she talks about the differences between gestation crates and farrowing crates. She then goes over two alternatives for producers to consider instead of gestation crates.

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Pig Gestation Crate for People Shows How Sadistic

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Gestation crate use was a hot-button issue in 2012. Dr. Grandin suggests alternative housing systems.

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In this study, pigs were broken up into pens with 2-4 purebred boars and 8 crossbred sows. Researchers were looking at if courtship behaviors later showed mate preference. "The observed courtship behavior of boars was broken down into seven categories: sniffing, head to head, nosing, following, chin resting, mounting and copulation."

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The Milner Library proxy server will allow authorized individuals to use the indexes and databases when connecting through a computer off-campus.

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This journal article discusses the factors that attribute to the behaviors exhibited by boars prior to, during and after copulation. There is a "threshold" level of androgens and estrogens required to maintain libido. External environment can also affect sexual behavior including "genetic, seasonal, social, sexual and psychological factors."

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The Milner Library proxy server will allow authorized individuals to use the indexes and databases when connecting through a computer off-campus.

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This journal article discusses the effects of weather on pig behavior. Weather may include "temperature, humidity, solar radiation, air pressure, wind strength, wind direction or precipitation." Results showed that high temperatures have negative impacts on reproduction. Hot, dry winds may also lower boar libido therefore reducing reproductive potential. Typical ways pigs try to combat these extreme conditions are rooting in the mud when hot or building a nest when cold.

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The Milner Library proxy server will allow authorized individuals to use the indexes and databases when connecting through a computer off-campus.

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Artificial selection and genetic selection have caused sexual libido to be relaxed, as this is typically not a trait breeders pay attention to when selecting hogs for the next generation. According to Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior by Edward O. Price, "It is estimated that 20% of male pigs produced for breeding in the USA exhibit inadequate sexual performance." This causes high levels of variability in overall sexual reproduction. Studies have also found that males raised in social isolation exhibit much poorer sexual performance than males raised in heterosexual or all-male groupings.

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According to Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior by Edward O. Price, when boars are testing for a mate, they will "nudge sows with their nose while emitting characteristic courtship grunts. Non-receptive females will avoid and move away from males exhibiting these behaviors. Sexually receptive female ungulates stand immobile when approached and mounted. Sexually experienced males ‘understand’ these postures and displays and respond accordingly.” Of all the farm animals, the boar has the longest ejaculation time (3-20min) and the greatest ejaculate volume.
Picture from: https://www.google.com/search?q=piglets+feeding&biw=1242&bih=580&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjxsfDWyb3SAhWp64MKHRMtAbQQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=pigs+mating&*&imgrc=iqryf2N2Gh4AvM:

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Male behavior is looked at from a different perspective than female. Boar sexual performance is based off of libido and motor patterns exhibited. These behaviors affect mating efficiency. According to Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior by Edward O. Price, "[...]the most efficient males are those which impregnate the largest number of females in the shortest period of time with the fewest total number of mounts and ejaculations."

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Sows exhibit certain behaviors when they are sexually receptive, or ready to breed. Female-female mounting is a sign of sexual readiness. If in the vicinity of boars, sows will approach and attempt to make contact. Sows will also stand immobile for mounting when approached by males. Producers can test for readiness by pressing on the sow's back.

Picture from: http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/3909/effective-heat-detection/

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According to Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior by Edward O. Price, hormones are behind almost everything that happens in courtship and mating behavior in animals. The hypothalamus in the brain secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) which then initiates growth of ovarian follicles. The follicles prepare for sperm transport, activates the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) and trigger ovulation. This is all behind the behavior sows exhibit prior to, during and after mating.

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Sows begin having an estrous cycle at  7 months old. They are polyestrous, meaning they cycle all year around until they conceive. About every 21 days they have a new cycle lasting a duration of 1-3 days, where their window of sexual receptivity is 12-32 hours. During this time sexual libido will peak.
Picture from: https://www.google.com/search?q=piglets+feeding&biw=1242&bih=580&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjxsfDWyb3SAhWp64MKHRMtAbQQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=MyQb8cp24ZgCOM: