Nesting construction and biophysical records of gestating sows under traditional free-range farming system inside mixed-semi forest of lowland West Papua.

Abstract

Nest is the important compartment of the sows. The roles of nests are for giving birth and shelter. This research has been carried out in the lowland Prafi valley, Manokwari regency, West Papua province. The main parameters observed were the ecological characteristics of nesting sows in nests made by pigs for parturition. The findings were that sows’ nesting material consist of 61.22% grass, 12.3 legumes, 12.3% trees component and 29.4% leaves. Average daily temperature of the nest is 26ºC, humidity 81.87% and average pH is 6.8. The average altitude of the place is 43 mASL. The location of the nest built by the sows is under the canopy of oil palm plantation and river banks (Watershed), and under other trees such as durian and bamboo. The shape of the nest made is rectangular, triangular, and round.