Tail Biting in Piglets

NADIS disease forecasts are written specifically for farmers,
to increase awareness of prevalent conditions and promote disease prevention and control,
in order to benefit animal health and welfare.
The forecasts are based on national trends and farmers are advised to discuss
their individual farm circumstances with their veterinary surgeon.

NADIS Pig Disease Focus – September 2005

Damage to pigs tails by pen mates contributes a major loss to the pig industry.  Tail biting tends to be seen in a number of different scenarios ranging from a constant low grade problem in a continual production unit to explosive outbreaks in batches.  As such, the incidence is highly variable.  In the former scenario, 3-5% of pigs may be affected week in week out and it would be common place for 1% to require euthanasia and a similar proportion to be condemned at slaughter (usually referred to as “pyaemia” on a condemnation sheet).  At this level, the cost to a 300 sow breeder feeder farm can be £10000 per year (140 pigs per year lost) plus the costs of treatment, care, isolation and lost growth.

In a batch systems, losses as high as 30% of pigs have been experienced – out of a batch of 700 pigs, 208 either died, were destroyed or were condemned at slaughter!

Causes
Pigs have a natural tendency to chew.  They are also attracted to blood and once biting has started it tends to be infectious.  In addition, pigs undergo teeth changes between 3-4 weeks of age and 7-8 months.  Anyone who has reared children will recognise the desire to chew during teething and this may be a component of piglet behaviour.  Normal inquisitive investigation with the mouth can lead to “accidental” bleeding, which can lead to more serious damage.

In any given situation where tail biting occurs, there is a need to undertake a full investigation and assessment to identify the possible trigger factors.  In many cases, a single rogue animal can be identified that has started the problem in a group – usually the smallest pig – although if not spotted early this animal may get lost in the group that join in.

A huge range of environment, dietary and husbandry factors have been identified as acting as triggers for tail biting, ranging from stocking rates, temperature variation, competition for food and water, to Vitamin E deficiency and high fat diets.  Professional veterinary advice is essential to unravel the significant factors and identify the cause of “unhappy pigs”.

Unfortunately, the “perfect” system has not been identified and, even if it could be, there are always likely to be cost constraints that will compromise its adoption!  It, therefore, unfortunately must be accepted that tail biting is a consequence of farming pigs and producers should attend to the basic biological needs of the pig to minimise the risk of damage.

Such areas for consideration include:
1) Thermal comfort:- draughts, temperature variation, chilling and over-heating are highly significant factors.
2) Freely available feed and water – the pig that is unable to get to a free supply of feed and water is always more likely to seek revenge on its penmates.
3) Feed diets that are appropriate to the pig and contain a full balance of nutrients.
4) Stocking density.  Space provision should be determined by the nature of the accommodation and the requirements of the specific pigs.  The Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (2000) (the successor to The Welfare of Livestock Regulations 1994) have done a great disservice to the pig.  These regulations state the minimum space requirements for pigs of different weight.  Putting aside the nonsense of a stepped graph (pigs of 19 and 20kg require the same space but those of 21kg require 50% more!) these minimum requirements have been interpreted as the optimum requirements.  (A similar view is taken throughout Europe).  Producers must be aware that these figures were not based on any sustainable science and, as such, are totally meaningless to the true needs of the pig.

Prevention
Quite apart from attempting to fulfil behavioural needs of the pigs, a number of features can be applied to reduce the incidence and impact of tail biting.

1) Providing toys in the form of chewable material.  This is a statutory requirement under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2000 and applies particularly fully slatted pens.  Such equipment as chains, alcathene piping (care of blocked slurry pumps), rubber boots etc are valuable but must in place at all times – it is too late introducing them once a problem has started.
2) Tail docking.  Despite the fact that UK legislation bans the routine tail docking of pigs, this remains the only reliable method of preventing tail biting in situations where it can reasonably be anticipated.  Any attempts to totally ban the procedure would lead to major welfare problems.  The technique must be done within the first 7 days of life (first 3 days under ABM quality assurance rules) and be done cleanly and efficiently by a competent individual.  Training can be provided by the veterinary surgeon.  The length of tail removed will depend on individual circumstances, identified by the veterinary surgeon and, in high risk cases, very short docking is both acceptable and essential.
3) Dietary supplements.  Increasing salt levels in diets has long been used as a way of preventing tail biting and can be effective.  However, care must be taken to avoid excessive intake and salt poisoning.  Talk to both your nutritional advisor and your veterinary surgeon before increasing salt levels in diets.

Copyright NADIS 2005 www.nadis.org.uk

While every effort is made to ensure that the content of this forecast is accurate at the time of publication, NADIS cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.
All information is general and will need to be adapted in the light of individual farm circumstances in consultation with your veterinary surgeon

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