AHDB Tail Biting WebHAT

What To Look For:

The key combination in strawed units is to avoid pigs becoming cold and damp. Measure both humidity and temperature; when both of these are at uncomfortable levels (temperature below 15°C for 55kg pigs or below 13°C for 100kg pigs, the chance of tail biting is higher. Pigs which are huddled/heaped or shivering are a sign of extreme cold; pigs experience discomfort at temperatures higher than this without such obvious outward signs.

Additional information:

A priority is to ensure that pigs do not become too cold and damp. When the straw gets wet, it loses thermal properties and is no longer as good at insulating the pig from cold. Dung or urine in the lying area will also make the straw damp and less useful as insulation.

There is a higher risk of tail biting occurring when pens are below the lower end of the recommended temperature range, than when temperatures are maintained at the upper end of the range⁴. Watch out for shivering or huddling in pigs, which are signs of extreme cold, which should clearly be avoided. However, pigs experience discomfort at milder temperatures than this without obvious outward signs.

Suggestions:

Aim to keep pigs in a warm, dry environment. Measure both humidity and temperature; when both of these are at uncomfortable levels (temperature below 15°C for 55kg pigs or below 13°C for 100kg pigs) the chance of tail biting is higher.

As a short-term measure, consider additional straw provision to help the pigs create more sheltered and warmer areas for lying within the pen. (NB If cold, damp conditions persist, straw will also become damp and less insulating, so longer-term measures are recommended). Remove wet or damp straw.

Additional measures to help protect pigs from direct effects of cold, wet weather can be:

• Closing wall panels
• Use of gale breaker screening
• Use of full straw bales to create internal walls/shelters
• Ensure that concrete slopes away from lying area so that rain does not dampen straw; consider pulling straw towards back of lying area to keep it dry
• Ensure that weekend workers have clear instructions on straw provision and ventilation settings

Additional material:

Defra code of recommendation for pigs - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69369/pb7950-pig-code-030228.pdf

Action for productivity 21. Ventilation http://pork.ahdb.org.uk/media/2048/Action-21-Ventilation.pdf

AHDB Pork Ventilation Guide http://pork.ahdb.org.uk/environment-buildings/pig-buildings-housing-development/ventilation/ventilating-pig-buildings-guide/