Review article

Tail biting in pigs: a multi-causal behavioural disorder

Vera Auslender Ujević ; Hrvatski veterinarski institut, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Tomislav Mikuš orcid.org/0000-0003-1388-2404 ; Veterinarski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

Tail biting is a multi-causal behavioural disorder in pigs. It is considered that the motivation behind it comes from the pig’s inability to express its species-specific behaviour, such as rooting or chewing. Therefore, animals redirect their behaviour onto other objects available to them, such as the ears or tails of other animals. Tail biting is a widespread phenomenon in breeding pigs, causing great economic losses and affecting the welfare of animals. This behavioural disorder has at least three different starting points, based on which it can be divided into three basic forms. The first is called ‘two-stage biting’, where in the first stage the pig gently holds the tail in the mouth and manipulates it without causing any visible tissue damage. This process proceeds to the second stage, where tail injury and consequent bleeding attracts other animals from the group, when the disorder suddenly escalates. The second form is called ‘sudden-strong biting’, and it is manifested as a sudden and strong attack of one pig against the tail of another. This form of the disorder results in immediate injuries, with possible partial or complete loss of the tail. This form of biting is often determined as cannibalism. The third form of this behavioural disorder is called ‘obsessive biting’. It implies strong and consistent biting of tails by one or several animals in the group. Animals that show this form of behaviour are constantly in search of a victim, and for this reason, this form of tail biting quickly results in a great number of injuries. Possible causes for the development of this disorder include a range of factors, such as health status, inadequate housing, boredom, gender, stress, genetics and insufficient or improper nutrition, as outlined in the literature. Comparison of data from different studies has been hampered by the lack of uniform terminology and the many different definitions of this disorder. This review presents the current findings on the tail-biting phenomena in pigs, and consider the various factors of the environment and husbandry that can affect its expression and complexity.

Keywords

animal welfare; pigs; tail biting; behavioural disorder

Hrčak ID:

223832

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/223832

Publication date:

11.6.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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