Researchers produce tail-biting guide

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Latest Pig Industry News

Wednesday, July 20, 2005

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Researchers produce tail-biting guide

DENMARK - Researchers in Denmark have developed a computer program that can link behavioural observations with statistics in an attempt to find the causes of tail biting in an individual herd.

National
Pig
Association

THE VOICE OF THE UK PIG INDUSTRY

NPA is active on members' behalf in Brussels & Whitehall, and with processors, supermarkets & caterers - fighting for the growth and pros-perity of the UK pig industry.

Preliminary results suggest that suspending ropes in pens reduces tail biting when it breaks out. A corresponding effect is seen when straw is given. The Danish National Committee for Pig Production has provided a checklist for producers.

Quick intervention in case of outbreaks of tail biting: Have steps been taken to eliminate tail biting quickly? Are tail-bitten pigs treated correctly?

Water supply: Are the nipple drinkers supplying the correct amount of water? Is there a sufficient number of drinkers in each pen?

Feed Does feed mixed on-farm segregate?: Is the colour of the manure in pens the same at both ends of the pipeline? Is the pigsâ€™ behaviour the same at each delivery of finished feed or of premix for feed mixed on-farm?

Pen design: Is the pen designed correctly with a lying area, an activity area and a dunging area?

Stocking density and number of feeding points: Are the space requirements met, so that overcrowding is avoided? Are there enough feeding points compared with the number of pigs?

Transfer strategy and sorting: Is mixing of pigs between pens after transfer avoided?

Rooting and enrichment material: Do the pigs have permanent access to enrichment and rooting materials? Is the material placed correctly?

Potential equalisation: Are the electrical installations in the housing unit at the electric switchboard main-equalized and connected to an earth rod? Are the electric wirings in the housing unit equalised?

Regulation of temperature, climate and air quality: Does the housing temperature correspond to the age of the pigs and the design of the housing unit? Is the pigsâ€™ lying behaviour normal? Does the air in the housing unit feel good? Does the ventilation system work satisfactorily? Are the pigs dunging where they are supposed to? Is the bedding dry? Are the slurry containers emptied?

Source: National Pig Association - 20th July 2005