Recording Tail Biting

Recording tail biting is a vital tool to help identify the likely causes of tail biting

To comply with legislation on tail docking in pigs (Paragraph 5 of Schedule 3 of the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007), which states:

5. The procedure may only be carried out where measures to improve environmental conditions or management systems have first been taken to prevent tail-biting, but there is still evidence to show that injury to pigs' tails by biting has occurred.

It is required that pig owners/keepers should document evidence of tail biting and keep records of the measures instigated and their effectiveness on improving the pigs' welfare. Where records are not available and pigs are found to be tail docked, this may be considered in any decisions regarding the legality of the tail docking procedure being carried out by owners/keepers or any staff.

Keeping records also helps to identify trends and answer questions such as:

  • How widespread is the problem - does it affect a particular building, pen or found across the farm?
  • Is the problem seasonal?
  • Is there a predictable time/age group for the problem?
  • Is there a predictable building for the problem?
  • Is there a predictable pen or pens for the problem?
  • Is one source of pigs more at risk than another?
  • Is one source of genetics more at risk than another?

Without records it is difficult to show whether a recent change on the unit is responsible for a change in tail-biting behaviour, or whether the change is a coincidence.

What to record?

Keeping a weekly or fortnightly record per batch of pigs would help to show any patterns to tail-biting behaviour. Information to record could include:

  • Date (of arrival and dates of each check)
  • Source or genetics of pigs
  • Tail length of pigs (if docked or undocked, length remaining, uniform or mixed lengths)
  • Pen number within building.
  • Records could be completed per building, or per unit.

An example of such a record sheet is given below:

Using the WebHAT recording sheets

Currently, there are two recording sheets available for download from the WebHAT. They enable producers to demonstrate actions taken to avoid tail biting as well as early warning signs.

Sheet 1

This is a general recording sheet which should be filled out on a batch-by-batch basis and updated as and when necessary. Download Sheet 1 (DOCX)

Sheet 2

This sheet can be used as a weekly diary. A building plan needs to be added to this sheet (see Figure 1 below). Producers can then identify and record the early warning signs of tail biting within the individual pens. The sheet will allow producers and vets to visually identify problem pens and common early warning signs. Download Sheet 2 (DOCX)

An example of such a record sheet is given below:

What to do with tail-biting records?

Keeping records regularly can help to show whether or not there is a pattern to any tail biting occurrences. For example, comparing records with the matching time of year (eg totals per quarter or month) can help identify whether there are seasonal patterns. They can also be used to highlight the emergence of tail biting-behaviour at a specific age, timing after moving to different accommodation/groups - identifying issues in management to address.

If a pattern begins to emerge, more detailed the records are the more helpful they can be in pinpointing likely risks, or the need to make further checks. For example, if tail biting is an issue in one particular building, things to consider could be:

  • The source of pigs → check with the producer/supplier whether other units have similar issues.

If all units receiving pigs from this source have a tail biting issue, the producer should check for recent changes to address on the source unit.

  • The genetics of the pigs (often linked with source) → need the producer/supplier to establish whether other sources with these genetics are also having issues
  • Building environment → check on temperature, humidity, ventilation, food supply, water supply, diet/nutrition, pen layout

If occasional tail biting occurs in different pens across the farm, this can also highlight that something such as ventilation, temperature, feed supply, nutrition etc. is not quite right across the farm site. The majority of pigs may be able to tolerate the situation, but it is an early sign that individuals in some pens may turn to tail biting, indicating that the conditions are stressful for some pigs. A deterioration in the situation, e.g. temperature gets hotter (or colder) or another factor occurs (such as feed outage) may tip the rest of the pigs into tail biting. The earlier the risk factors can be identified and dealt with, the fewer pigs are likely to be involved in tail biting - either as biters or as bitten pigs.

View more information on identifying early signs and specific risks associated with tail biting