Document type: scientific article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Authors: Väre M, Koskikallio H, Heinonen M, Tuominen-Brinkas M, Munsterhjelm C, Valros A, and Niemi JK
Preview: Tail biting affects the health and welfare of pigs, the quality of pig carcasses, and the profitability of production in both weaner and finishing pig production. There are specific quality criteria for weaned pigs, and tail damage can lead to a deduction in the purchase price of the weaner pigs as well as carcass rejections at the slaughterhouse. Although the issue is important, research has paid little attention to tail biting in weaner pig production, The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various motivational factors and economic incentives on the managing of tail biting in Finnish pig farms and to assess the costs of tail biting occurring in weaner pig production. The data were collected by interviewing representatives of 15 farms producing finishing pigs and 10 farms producing weaner pigs during 2021-2022. The interviews covered risk factors for tail biting and the factors that most motivated producers to reduce tail biting. Additionally, by using a calculation model, the economic significance of tail biting in nurseries was assessed. The interviewed farmers were very or fairly motivated to address tail biting when they observed it in their own farms. Half of the representatives from farms producing weaner pigs found the managing measures laborious to implement. The economic incentives that motivated farmers producing weaner pigs most to address tail biting were the better price obtained for intact-tailed (undocked tails with no tail lesions) pigs and financial support for measures managing tail biting. Finishing farms were most motivated by the reduction in carcass condemnations and the increase in the price of meat. The results suggest that the desire to produce healthy, well-being pigs also motivated Finnish farmers. According to the calculation model and a hypothetical scenario, tail biting in weaner pig production can cause a loss of up to approximately 32 euros per bitten pig in Finland, taking into account This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article possible effects in the finishing phase, reduced growth, treatment of the tail-damaged pig, and various income losses and additional costs.
