Tail docking of piglets is a routine procedure on farms to control tail biting behavior, however docking can cause an acute stress response. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine if tail docking prevents tail biting behavior in pigs, 2) determine if different methods of tail docking influence the prevalence of tail biting and reduce the stress caused by tail docking, 3) evaluate different methods of analgesia on the pain response in pigs to tail docking. In experiment 1, tail biting lesion scores were similar among docked and non-docked at 3 and 5 weeks of age, however at 7 weeks of age lesion scores were greater among non-docked compared with tail docked pigs. Body weights were lower among non-docked compared docked pigs and C-Reactive protein (CRP) levels (an indirect measure of inflammation) was elevated among non-docked compared with tail docked pigs at 7 weeks of age. In experiment 2, piglets were tail docked at a length of 2 cm (Short) or 5 cm (Long). Tail biting lesion scores were greater among Long compared with Short pigs. In experiment 3, pigs were tail docked using conventional cutting (CUT), cautery (CAUT), conventional cutting while the pig was anesthetized with carbon dioxide gas (CO2), conventional cutting with local anesthetic administered immediately prior to cutting (LA), conventional cutting with short acting topical anesthetic administered immediately after cutting (SHORT), conventional cutting with long acting topical anesthetic administered immediately after cutting (LONG), or sham docked (CON). Cortisol concentrations were reduced in pig’s tail docked using cutting when a short acting topical anesthetic was applied to the wound. None of the other methods of analgesia were effective at reducing the cortisol response to tail docking in pigs, including using carbon dioxide as a form of general anesthesia. Pig’s tail docked without analgesia performed a higher percentage of lying-alone behavior compared with all other treatments. Body weight change and wound healing was not affected by tail docking treatment. Poor welfare of tail bitten pigs was indicated by severity of lesion, level of CRP, and reduced pig body weights. Until root causes of tail biting are understood and preventative measures adopted, the long term benefits of tail docking outweigh the acute stress caused by this procedure. More research is needed to find effective analgesic treatments that could reduce the distress caused by tail docking to the pigs and which are practical on-farm.
Tail docking is a common industry practice in pork production to reduce tail biting in groups of pigs. Tail biting behaviour involves destructive chewing of the tails of group-mates, which can both compromise pig welfare and cause economic losses.
Tail docking of piglets is a routine procedure on farms to control tail biting behavior, however docking can cause an acute stress response. The objectives of this research were to 1) determine if tail docking prevents tail biting behavior in pigs, 2) determine if different methods of tail docking influence the prevalence of tail biting and reduce the stress caused by tail docking, 3) evaluate different methods of analgesia on the pain response in pigs to tail docking. In experiment 1, tail biting lesion scores were similar among docked and non-docked at 3 and 5 weeks of age, however at 7 weeks of age lesion scores were greater among non-docked compared with tail docked pigs. Body weights were lower among non-docked compared docked pigs and C-Reactive protein (CRP) levels (an indirect measure of inflammation) was elevated among non-docked compared with tail docked pigs at 7 weeks of age. In experiment 2, piglets were tail docked at a length of 2 cm (Short) or 5 cm (Long). Tail biting lesion scores were greater among Long compared with Short pigs. In experiment 3, pigs were tail docked using conventional cutting (CUT), cautery (CAUT), conventional cutting while the pig was anesthetized with carbon dioxide gas (CO2), conventional cutting with local anesthetic administered immediately prior to cutting (LA), conventional cutting with short acting topical anesthetic administered immediately after cutting (SHORT), conventional cutting with long acting topical anesthetic administered immediately after cutting (LONG), or sham docked (CON). Cortisol concentrations were reduced in pig’s tail docked using cutting when a short acting topical anesthetic was applied to the wound. None of the other methods of analgesia were effective at reducing the cortisol response to tail docking in pigs, including using carbon dioxide as a form of general anesthesia. Pig’s tail docked without analgesia performed a higher percentage of lying-alone behavior compared with all other treatments. Body weight change and wound healing was not affected by tail docking treatment. Poor welfare of tail bitten pigs was indicated by severity of lesion, level of CRP, and reduced pig body weights. Until root causes of tail biting are understood and preventative measures adopted, the long term benefits of tail docking outweigh the acute stress caused by this procedure. More research is needed to find effective analgesic treatments that could reduce the distress caused by tail docking to the pigs and which are practical on-farm.
In the UK, it is only legally permitted to cut off pigs’ tails once all other possible steps have been taken to improve their environment. Such steps include providing a variety of different materials for the pigs to manipulate and explore within their pens, ensuring that they are not having to compete over access to food and water, giving pigs more space to move around in, maintaining positive pig health and nutrition, and making sure that their environment is suitable in terms of temperature and air quality.
In an effort to stop tail-biting from occurring farmers pre-emptively cut off the tails of piglets using clippers, pliers or through cauterisation (using very high heat to burn through the tail). Unsurprisingly, this mutilation is a very painful and stressful experience for the piglets and can have a lasting effect on their wellbeing.
Most piglets in the UK endure painful mutilations. We explain why pork producers do this to their animals and why it’s unnecessary. The time to end cruelty is now.
In intensive indoor farms, pigs live close together in barren environments that prevent them from engaging in natural behaviours, such as the need to root and forage. When pigs are bored or stressed, they can resort to biting each other’s tails out of frustration.
Getting these fundamental practices right can substantially reduce the risk of tail biting, without the need to subject the pig to painful mutilations.
Why do modern farms cut off pig’s tails? | Visionary Science
FAQ
Why is the tail of the pig is cut?
Why do they cut off pigtails?
Why do farmers cut off pigtails?
Is pig tail docking illegal?
Do pigs have their tails cut off?
And it is found that… Yes, pigs in industrialized factory farms in the United States usually have their tails cut off, both males and females. Advocates argue that such practice without any pain relief is an abuse to pigs. The docking of pigtails is done because pigs have a natural tendency to chew.
Why do farmers cut off cow tails?
It seems that the real reason farmers cut off the tails of cows is because it makes milking easier. Pigs on factory farms are also normally tail-docked. In the wild, pigs live in complex social groups and don’t usually display chronic aggression toward each other.
Why do pigs have curly tails?
Another possible reason for curly tails is the overall contentment and happiness of the pig. Many domesticated pigs have curly tails, while wild breeds tend to have straight tails. Domestic pig breeds are more likely to have less stress in their lives than feral pigs in the wild. This is another theory and may not be the actual reason.
When should a piglet’s tail be cut?
A piglet’s tail should be cut when they’re around 3 to 4 days old. The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals recommends that the docking procedure be done before the piglet reaches seven days old. The reason for doing this procedure early in a pig’s life is to minimize the pain and stress associated with tail docking.