AHDB Tail Biting WebHAT

What To Look For:

Check via producer / supplier or own records whether all pigs have been vaccinated using a PCV 2 vaccine.

Significantly lower levels of tail biting has found on units following introduction of PCV 2 vaccines^8,9. The vaccination against porcine respiratory viruses and improving health in general, may be beneficial in improving pigs’ tolerance to other stressors in the environment.

Additional information:

Check via producer / supplier or own records whether all pigs have been vaccinated using a PCV 2 vaccine.

Significantly lower levels of tail biting has found on units following introduction of PCV 2 vaccines^8,9. The vaccination against porcine respiratory viruses and improving health in general, may be beneficial in improving pigs’ tolerance to other stressors in the environment.

Suggestions:

Ensure all pigs are PCV2 vaccinated.

While the use of PCV2 vaccines is clearly important, this does not rule out the importance of good health in pig production.

Additional material:

Information about porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRS): https://ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/porcine-reproductive-and-respiratory-syndrome