Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 365 |
Journal | Animals |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 17 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 17 Jun 2019 |
Keywords
- Behaviour
- Bite-Rite
- Enrichment material
- Pigs
- Rope
- Straw
- Swine
- Tail biting outbreak
- Tail injury
- Weaners