Behavior of Sows Nursing and Piglets Suckling Feed Additionaly with Bangun-bangun’s Leaves (Coleus amboinicus Lour) at Different Level in Sow Ration

Abstract

Study of animal behavior means knowing certain characteristics of animal and how they live in their environment. Bangun-bangun leaves (Coleus amboinicus Lour) is one of the vegetables commonly consumed by woman during breast feeding period. It is believed to contain an active compound that increases milk production. Pigs are a kind of mammal that have many litters, so that pig can be expected to produce plenty of milk to be consumed by piglets in the lactation periods. The aim of this research was to study the effect of adding bangun-bangun leaf meal in different levels of sow’s ration to find out the behavior of sow’s nursing and piglet’s suckling. The research used some methods: ad libitum sampling, focal sampling and one zero calculating. The Completely Random Design with four treatments and four replications (sow’s) was used in this research. The results showed that there were no significant effects on the sow’s nursing and piglet’s suckling behaviors.

Mempelajari tingkah laku hewan berarti lebih mengetahui karakteristik hewan dan responnya terhadap lingkungan. Menyusui (nursing) adalah sifat merawat anak dari seekor induk dengan membiarkan dan menyediakan puting susunya untuk dihisap oleh anak, sedangkan penyusuan atau menyusu (suckling) adalah kelakuan anak menghisap puting susu induknya untuk mendapatkan makanannya. Bangun-bangun (Coleus amboinicus Lour) telah lama dipercaya oleh masyarakat Batak Toba karena mampu meningkatkan dan melancarkan air susu ibu yang mengkonsumsinya. Senyawa aktif daun bangun-bangun dapat mempengaruhi hormon-hormon pembentukan air susu.