Document type: Answer to a question published by EURCAW-Pigs
Author: EURCAW-Pigs
EURCAW-Pigs has received a question on the relationship between nutrition and tail biting. An abridged version of the answer is:
Access to sufficient quantities of good quality water (e.g. number of drinking points) and feed is important to prevent tail biting. It is difficult to provide precise feeding recommendations for the prevention of tail biting, as the recommended optimum depends on the pigs' current needs, the composition of the feed, and how it is distributed. Meanwhile, sudden changes in feed composition may increase the risk of biting.
There is some evidence that dietary fibre reduces the risk of biting. Similarly, supplemental roughage is known to reduce behaviors directed towards pen mates, and hence tail biting. Low amino acid levels are associated with tail-biting behaviors and these are exacerbated by health problems. Providing salt blocks to lick can help reduce biting.
The full answer: Nutrition and tail biting (Q2E-Pigs-2023-012): question to EURCAW-Pigs
EURCAW-Pigs received a question on the relationship between nutrition and tail biting. In short, the answer is:
Access to sufficient amounts of good quality water (e.g. the number of drinking points) and feed is important to prevent tail biting. Exact diet recommendations for preventing tail biting are difficult to make because the optimum depends on the current requirements of the pigs, the feed composition and the method of feed delivery. However, abrupt changes in dietary composition may increase the risk of biting.
There are some indications that dietary fibre reduces the risk of biting. Related to this: additional roughage is known to reduce pen mate directed behaviour, and thus tail biting. Low levels of amino acids are associated with tail biting behaviour, and this is worsened when health challenges are present. Offering licking blocks (salt) may help to reduce biting.
The full answer: Nutrition and tail biting (Q2E-Pigs-2023-012): question to EURCAW-Pigs
