EU residents have an rising and rising curiosity within the welfare of manufacturing animals specifically. Sadly, some, though respectable, welfare points together with the strain to introduce laws banning tail-docking in piglets, could, in a big share of instances, trigger critical, painful issues for animals associated to caudophagia which de facto will worsen animal welfare.

Presently, within the EU tail docking ought to happen solely in distinctive conditions, when different mechanisms and measures to stop tail biting fail, and solely when the primary indicators of this stereotypy are present in animals. Tail biting ought to be prevented by making use of preventive measures which are farm-specific after a threat evaluation evaluation.

The issue of the mentioned lesions is intently associated primarily to the rules of manufacturing and the circumstances by which pigs are housed. The place large-scale pig manufacturing is widespread, e.g. in Denmark, Spain, or the Netherlands, caudophagia impacts 2-5% of fattening pigs. In Poland, tail or ear biting is noticed in about 43% of farrow-to-finish farms. Based mostly on the compilation of knowledge from EU nations (EFSA), it may be concluded that the issue of tail biting happens in 30-70% of farms and results in tail accidents in about 5% of animals.

Contemplating the info on the size of caudophagia in numerous nations, it may be concluded that in areas the place pig farming will not be intensive and large-scale, e.g. Norway and Finland, issues with caudophagia are normally (however not at all times) much less extreme than in nations with intensive pig manufacturing. Then again, it may be clearly said that in operations the place tails are docked the mentioned lesions have marginal significance.

When analyzing the causes of caudophagia, it turns into clear that they’re multifactorial.

Potential causes of cannibalism in pigs embody:

Incorrect microclimate within the barn:

• too excessive humidity (will increase aggressiveness of pigs)
• excessive focus of dangerous gases: focus of CO₂>3000 ppm

Animal housing circumstances:

• overcrowding in pens
• extreme variety of animals per feeder/drinker
• litter-free housing
• an excessive amount of pure or synthetic gentle within the barn
• frequent mixing of animals throughout rearing
• extended stress
• boredom
• extreme noise
• leaving sick and weakest piglets in pens

Diet:

• incorrect proportion of vitality and protein within the feed
• low ranges of salt in feed
• too low fiber ranges
• deficiency of minerals (e.g. magnesium) or nutritional vitamins
• tryptophan deficiency
• excessive mycotoxin content material within the feed
• frequent feed modifications
• feed deficiency

Illness brokers:

• scabies
• exudative epidermitis
• Mycoplasma suis infections
• pox

Administration measures:

• too early weaning
• enamel clipping
• postponed castration
• poor pen group

Genetic predispositions

An evaluation of the literature on the causes of tail biting highlighted 87 completely different threat components. In precept, it’s not doable to find out conclusively which issue performs a decisive function. Definitely, the “constellation” of threat components varies in every facility. Normally, a vital unknown x-factor seems out of the blue, turning into the final word cause for the typically sudden look of caudophagia. Not occasionally, the phenomenon of cannibalism seems in solely one of many many pens situated in the identical space, and it’s not recognized for what causes it typically spreads to different pens.

The multifactorial nature of the issue makes it not possible to introduce easy and totally efficient options resulting in its quick elimination. Evidently with the present state of data, it’s not doable to develop clear tips for the rearing of pigs with intact tails that may very well be universally utilized to all, or a minimum of most pig farms with constructive outcomes.

When taking measures to regulate the issue of caudophagia, step one is to establish and take away the aggressor(s) from the group, cut back the density of pigs within the pens, and supply the animals with further supplies for “play” – primarily straw. A change in weight-reduction plan is commonly vital. Observations have proven that, above all, the extent of salt within the feed can considerably have an effect on the incidence of tail-biting. Subsequently, it’s typically affordable to extend the salt degree within the feed. You will need to notice that rising the salt degree within the feed additionally will increase the water consumption, and thus the frequency and timing of water ingesting.

Additionally it is essential to concentrate to the degrees of different minerals, particularly magnesium and phosphorus. For instance, in blended feeds for fattening pigs, the phosphorus degree ought to be round 0.5% and the calcium/phosphorus ratio mustn’t exceed 1.25:1. The magnesium degree ought to be a minimum of 0.08%. Mineral deficiencies as a reason behind caudophagia are indicated, amongst different issues, by the actual fact that there’s a better predisposition to cannibalism within the weakest piglets in a litter which have been malnourished in the course of the weaning interval.

Some authors report that the issue of cannibalism may be diminished by correcting the inappropriate quantity of amino acids within the weight-reduction plan.

When taking corrective measures, an extended record of potential causes of caudophagia ought to be traced and those discovered to be current ought to be eradicated, e.g. synthetic lighting ought to be drastically diminished, or excessively giant home windows ought to be lined – particularly in the summertime.

If tail docking is critical, it ought to be achieved on the earliest doable age, ideally between 1 to three days of age and no later than day 7. The tail ought to be docked utilizing an electrical or fuel cautery (scorching methodology). The usage of this straightforward machine prevents or reasonably limits bleeding; it additionally shortens the therapeutic course of to 2-3 days. It’s affordable, though hardly ever practiced, to make use of anesthetic preparations to scale back the ache related to tail docking.

In conclusion, it ought to be emphasised that the observe of tail docking in pigs ought to at all times be preceded by an evaluation of all threat components and the implementation of acceptable options for every scenario. If the danger evaluation signifies that the likelihood of cannibalism is excessive, tail docking ought to be allowed.