{"id":10758,"date":"2021-04-22T10:36:28","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T08:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phode-animalcare.web-premiere.fr\/?p=10758"},"modified":"2024-07-11T13:42:57","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T11:42:57","slug":"tail-docking-a-practice-from-the-past-at-last-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.phode-animalcare.com\/en\/tail-docking-a-practice-from-the-past-at-last-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Tail docking: A practice from the past, at last? (part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The reason why tail docking is still a routine at many pig farms is the consensus that it is still the most effective solution to prevent tail biting. It\u2019s the result of a complex and multifactorial problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"tail<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Routine tail docking: a ban since 1994<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 1994 already, legislation was passed to ban routine tail docking of piglets in Europe<\/strong>. Since then, the legislation has been amended several times and was substantially updated by Directive 120\/2008\/EC (\u2018 the Pig Directive\u2019) that specifies the measures that must be undertaken before a farmer can resort to tail docking (such as stocking density, and providing specific enrichment materials). But despite this regulation, \u201ctail docking\u201d is still a routine practice on many pig farms in Europe. There are a few exceptions though. In Finland and Sweden, due to stricter national rules compared to EU legislation, tail docking is no longer allowed. In Norw<\/a>ay and Switzerland<\/a>, less than 5% of pigs are tail-docked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tail biting: a welfare and economic cost<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To improve social acceptance of pig production and further improve animal health, welfare and work pleasure for farmers, we should move away from tail docking. The main reason why tail docking is still a routine at many pig farms is the consensus that it is still the most effective solution to prevent tail biting. Tail biting is not only detrimental to animal welfare, it also carries an economic cost. Tail biting can be classified into two groups: the pre-injury stage, before any wound on the tail is present, and the injury stage, where the tail is wounded and bleeding. The infections and lesions can cause carcass condemnations at slaughter and can even lead to mortality in severe cases. Research from the UK<\/a> showed that tail biting can lead to a profit loss of 43% per pig, as a result of losses attributable to carcass condemnations and trimmings .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main risk factors for tail biting behaviour<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tail biting is a complex and multifactorial problem. The precise etiology of tail biting behaviour is unknown, and many other risk factors besides housing related issues have been identified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main risk factors for tail biting are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n