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Abstract:

Tail docking is often carried out to prevent excessive tail biting. It is however the question if pigs can be raised with intact tails. Furthermore, it should be verified if these pigs need an enriched environment to avoid tail biting outbreaks. The aim of this study was therefore to verify differences in behavior and performance between finishing pigs (n = 90) housed in barren pens (control) and enriched pens (treatment). Pigs in barren pens only had access to a chain with a toy as enrichment material. In treatment pens, a hiding wall was constructed and pigs had access to dispensers filled with straw blocks. A chain with a toy was also present in these pens. All pigs had intact tails. Behavioral observations were carried out once a week, between 9:30h and 12:00h and between 13:30h and 16:00h. Body weights of the pigs were recorded individually at the start of the trial, 6 weeks later (weighing 2), 12 weeks later (weighing 3) and at slaughter age when a weight of 110 – 120kg was reached. Behavioral data were analyzed using logistic mixed models (PROC GLIMMIX). Body weights were analyzed using linear mixed models (PROC MIXED). Statistical significance was accepted when P < 0.05. The preliminary results reveal no difference in tail and ear biting between control and treatment groups over the entire experimental period. However, tail biting was only seen to a limited extent, despite the fact that pigs had intact tails. As some pigs had tail lesions at the start of the experiment, it seemed that tail biting mainly occurred before the finishing stage. Treatment affected biting towards other body parts (paws, side) and this behavior was observed more frequently in control groups. Pigs in treatment groups seemed to perform better, as they reached higher slaughter weights.