scholarly journals Tail Posture as an Indicator of Tail Biting in Undocked Finishing Pigs

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torun Wallgren ◽  
Anne Larsen ◽  
Stefan Gunnarsson
Keyword(s):  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Damage Indicator ◽  
Curly Tail ◽  
Tail Damage

Tail posture (i.e., hanging or curled) has been suggested to be an indicator of tail biting, and hanging tails predisposed to damage. The aim of this study was to investigate if tail posture was feasible as a tail damage indicator in a commercial setting. The study was carried out on one batch of 459 undocked finishing pigs (30–120 kg in weight). Weekly scoring of tail posture was combined with the scoring of tail lesions. Tail posture was observed at feeding to facilitate the usage of the method in commercial settings. A curly tail was observed in 94% of the observations. Pigs with tails scored with “wound” were 4.15 (p < 0.0001) times more likely to have hanging tails, and pigs scored with “inflamed wounds” were 14.24 (p < 0.0001) times more likely to have hanging tails, compared to pigs with nondamaged tails. Tail posture correctly classified tails with “wound” or “inflamed wound” 67.5% of the time, with 55.2% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity, respectively. The method of observing the tail position at feeding seems useful as a complement to normal inspection for detecting tail biting before tail wounds are visible to the caretaker.

Tail posture as a detector of tail damage and an early detector of tail biting in finishing pigs

2018 ◽  
Vol 209 ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Lilian Vestbjerg Larsen ◽  
Heidi Mai-Lis Andersen ◽  
Lene Juul Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Damage

scholarly journals Influence of tail biting on weight gain, lesions and condemnations at slaughter of finishing pigs

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 967-974 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Maria F.P.P. Marques ◽  
Mari L. Bernardi ◽  
Carolini F. Coelho ◽  
Mirian Almeida ◽  
Oscar E. Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Lesion Score ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Lower Weight ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Condemnation Rate ◽  
Lower Weight Gain ◽  
Degree Of Severity ◽  
Lesion Severity

The present study assessed the association of tail-biting lesions in finishing pigs with weight gain, occurrence of locomotion or respiratory disorders and abscesses during finishing period, and carcass condemnation at slaughter. The study was carried out on 4 different farms. For each animal with a tail biting lesion, two control pigs were selected. The total number of animals in the study was 312, with 104 of them being tail-bitten. Tail lesions were classified according to the degree of severity into four scores: score 0 -normal tail withou lesion; score 1-3 - increasing lesion severity, and score 4 - healed lesions. Overall, the occurrence of severe tail lesions (score 3) varied from 55 to 73% of tail-bitten pigs among farms. On all farms, healing of tail lesions was observed in 95% to 100% of the animals at the evaluation performed within 41-43 days after the commencement of the study. In two out of the four evaluated farms, pigs with score of 3 showed lower weight gain (P<0.05) compared with score 0 pigs. Before slaughter, the occurrence of locomotion problems and nodules/abscesses was associated (P<0.05) with the presence of tail-biting lesions. At slaughter, tail-biting lesions were associated (P<0.05) with the presence of abscesses, lung lesions (pleuritis and embolic pneumonia) or arthritis in carcasses. Carcass condemnation was associated with the presence of tail-biting lesions (P<0.05). Overall, carcass condemnation rate was 21.4%, of which animals with tail-biting lesions accounted for 66.7% of condemnations. Among the animals diagnosed with cannibalism at farm level, only two had not healed their lesions at slaughter. The fact that there were a lot of carcass condemnations, despite the fact that tail-bitten animals had no more active lesions, suggests that different situations may be observed between the field and slaughter, reinforcing the need to analyze pigs both at farm and slaughter to allow proper assessment of losses related to tail biting. Collectively, the observations of the present study show that complications associated with tail-biting found in slaughterhouses are probably underestimating field prevalence.

Longitudinal study of adverse behaviour of undocked pigs in two different housing systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 165-168
Author(s):  
H. A. Van de Weerd ◽  
C. M. Docking ◽  
J .E. L. Day ◽  
K. Breuer ◽  
S. A. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Flow System ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Biting Behaviour

AbstractThe development of adverse behaviour in group–housed growing/ finishing pigs with intact tails was studied in a straw–flow housing system and in a part–slatted system with a commercial enrichment object. Food intake, body weight and behaviour were monitored over the finishing period, with tail biting outbreaks defined as an occasion where three or more pigs within a group had freshly damaged tails and tail biting behaviour was ongoing. Data from the two systems were analysed to identify tail–biting outbreaks and behavioural changes over time. Levels of pig manipulation were higher in the part–slatted system. Over time, pigs in both systems showed reduced interest in the enrichment provided, but not in each other. Despite the presence of the enrichment device, tail biting occurred in all groups in the part–slatted system, but only 1/12 groups in the straw–flow system. The amount of time occupied by manipulation of the enrichment provided was very significantly higher for straw than for the commercial object. Better design of enrichment strategies is therefore needed and should be based on species–relevant requirements.

The effects of increased dietary salt concentration on performance and behaviour of finishing pigs

2000 ◽  
Vol 2000 ◽  
pp. 6-6
Author(s):  
V.E. Beattie ◽  
R.N. Weatherup
Keyword(s):  
Salt Concentration ◽  
Welfare Economic ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Dietary Salt ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Pig Performance

Tail-biting is a behavioural vice with important welfare, economic and carcass quality implications observed in growing pigs. Fraser (1987) proposed that mineral deficiencies in the diet may be related to tail-biting while Beattie et al (1996) found that tail-biting did not occur in intensive housing when pigs had access to a rooting substrate. This study compared the effects on pig performance and behaviour of increased dietary salt concentration with a negative control (standard diet, no rooting substrate) and a positive control (standard diet, rooting substrate provided).

Tail biting behaviour and tail damage in pigs and the relationship with general behaviour: Predicting the inevitable?

2014 ◽  
Vol 156 ◽  
pp. 22-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Winanda W. Ursinus ◽  
Cornelis G. Van Reenen ◽  
Bas Kemp ◽  
J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
Keyword(s):  
General Behaviour ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tail Damage ◽  
Biting Behaviour

scholarly journals The Effect of Straw, Rope, and Bite-Rite Treatment in Weaner Pens with a Tail Biting Outbreak

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Pelant Lahrmann ◽  
Julie Fabricius Faustrup ◽  
Christian Fink Hansen ◽  
Rick B. D’Eath ◽  
Jens Peter Nielsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Damage ◽  
Allocation Strategies

Tail biting in pigs is an injurious behaviour that spreads rapidly in a group. We investigated three different treatments to stop ongoing tail biting outbreaks in 65 pens of 6–30 kg undocked pigs (30 pigs per pen; SD = 2): (1) straw (7 g/pig/day on the floor), (2) rope, and (3) Bite-Rite (a hanging plastic device with chewable rods). Pigs were tail scored three times weekly, until an outbreak occurred (four pigs with a tail wound; day 0) and subsequently once weekly. After an outbreak had occurred, a subsequent escalation in tail damage was defined if four pigs with a fresh tail wound were identified or if a biter had to be removed. Straw prevented an escalation better (75%) than Bite-Rite (35%; p < 0.05), and rope was intermediate (65%). Upon introduction of treatments (day 0), pigs interacted less with tails than before (day −1; p < 0.05). Behavioural observations showed that pigs engaged more with rope than Bite-Rite (p < 0.05). Bite-Rite pigs (but not straw or rope) increased their interaction with tails between day 0 and day 7 (p < 0.05). Straw was the most effective treatment. However, further investigations may identify materials or allocation strategies which are more effective still.

scholarly journals Effects of Different Housing Systems during Suckling and Rearing Period on Skin and Tail Lesions, Tail Losses and Performance of Growing and Finishing Pigs

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2184
Author(s):  
Anita Lange ◽  
Michael Hahne ◽  
Christian Lambertz ◽  
Matthias Gauly ◽  
Michael Wendt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Lactating Sows ◽  
Fattening Period ◽  
And Performance

Feasible alternatives to stressful weaning and tail-docking are needed to inhibit tail biting. Therefore, we investigated the effects of housing systems for 1106 pigs that were weaned from: (1) conventional farrowing crates (FC), (2) free-farrowing pens (FF), or (3) group housing of lactating sows (GH) into (1) conventional rearing pens (Conv) or (2) piglets remained in their farrowing pens for rearing (Reaf). Tails were docked or left undocked batchwise. All pigs were regrouped for the fattening period. Pigs were scored for skin lesions, tail lesions and losses. After weaning, Conv-GH pigs had significantly less skin lesions than Conv-FC and Conv-FF pigs. After regrouping for fattening, Reaf-GH pigs had significantly less skin lesions than Conv pigs, Reaf-FC and Reaf-FF. The frequency of tail lesions of undocked Conv pigs peaked in week 4 (66.8%). Two weeks later, Reaf undocked pigs reached their maximum (36.2%). At the end of fattening, 99.3% of undocked Conv pigs and 43.1% of undocked Reaf pigs lost parts of their tail. In conclusion, the co-mingling of piglets during suckling reduced the incidence of skin lesions. Rearing in the farrowing pen significantly reduced the incidence of tail lesions and losses for undocked pigs. No housing system negatively affected the performance.

scholarly journals PSII-19 Social structures, social ties, and development of tail biting in growing-finishing pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 236-236
Author(s):  
Yuzhi Li ◽  
Lee J Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Network Analysis ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Association Index ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Binary Matrices

Abstract The association between social structure and development of tail biting was evaluated in this study. Pigs with intact tails (n = 96, initial weight = 25.0 ± 3.0 kg) were assigned to treatment based on their litter origin: littermates, non-littermates, and half-group littermates (4 pigs per litter). Four pens (8 pigs/pen) of each litter origin treatment were studied for 14 weeks. Tail injury was assessed weekly. Pigs with visible blood were considered victims of tail-biting. Behavior of pigs was video-recorded between 0900h and 1500h at 4-week intervals starting one week after study initiation. Video-recordings were viewed continuously to identify tail-biting events and tail biters in each pen. A pig that bit the tail of another pig causing reactions of the recipient was identified as a tail-biter. Pigs that were neither biters nor victims were classified as “others”. For social network analysis, video-recordings were scanned at 10-min intervals to register pigs that were lying together (1) or not (0) in binary matrices. Half weight association index was used for social network construction. Social network analysis was performed using the UCINET software. Litter origin treatment did not affect growth performance. Fifty nine percent of the littermate treatment (Chi-square = 11.6; P = 0.02), 34% of the half-group littermate treatment, and 22% of the non-littermate treatment were identified as victims. Littermate treatment had lower network density (Table 1) and fewer social ties than the non-littermate treatment, indicating that littermates were less socially connected with each other at the pen level. At the dyad level, the littermate treatment formed more social ties between biters and victims, and fewer ties between victims and others than non-littermates (Table 1). These results suggest that more social ties between biters and victims, and fewer social ties between victims and others may predispose littermates to development of tail biting.

scholarly journals Changes in activity and object manipulation before tail damage in finisher pigs as an early detector of tail biting

animal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1037-1044 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.L.V. Larsen ◽  
H.M.-L. Andersen ◽  
L.J. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Object Manipulation ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Damage

The effect of salt deficiency on the behaviour of finishing pigs in a tail chew test

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. PC2-PC2 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.E. Beattie ◽  
K.B. Breuer ◽  
L.M. Dunne ◽  
S.A. Edwards ◽  
J.T. Mercer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Dietary Minerals ◽  
The Uk

Tail-biting is an adverse behaviour which can lead to injury in the recipient pig, reducing welfare and causing abscesses in the carcass. A survey in abattoirs in the UK found that 5 percent of pigs at slaughter have their tails bitten (Guise & Penny, 1998). Work by Fraser (1987) suggested that tail-biting is linked to a deficiency in dietary minerals. This study investigated whether finishing pigs were more attracted to salt after being offered a diet deficient in salt for two weeks.

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