title: [Keeping pigs with undocked tails on conventionally producing farms. A feasibility study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this feasibility study, weaning and fattening pigs with undocked and docked tails were kept simultaneously on four conventionally producing farms in Lower Saxony, Germany. It was the aim of the study to test management recommendations to avoid and reduce tail biting under practical conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Before stocking, the farm-specific risk factors for tail biting had been analyzed and, if possible, reduced. Furthermore, on every farm, individual preventive measures, for example, additional pen enrichments and feed additives had been adopted. The farmers had been trained in animal observation, recognition of tail biting prior to outbreaks and measures to be taken when tail biting occurred. The tails of the pigs were examined daily by the farmer and every second week by the first author. Additionally, carcass characteristics were documented and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tail biting was observed in every batch on every farm during the rearing period. Combining data from all the farms, a mean of 53.5% of pigs with undocked tails could enter the fattening period without tail lesions. At the end of fattening, only 24.2% of the undocked slaughter pigs had intact tails. Additionally, in the group with undocked tails, mortality was significantly increased (p = 0.0104) in comparison with the control group and abscesses were detected significantly more frequently in carcasses of undocked pigs (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a consequence of these results, a transition period of several years is recommended to give farmers the opportunity to learn step by step how to maintain animals with undocked tails and to prevent animal suffering due to tail biting.
authors: Carolin Holling, Außenstelle für Epidemiologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Büscheler Straße 9, 49456 Bakum, E-Mail: carolin.holling@tiho-hannover.de.
authors: Carolin
authors: C
authors: Holling
authors: Karl-Heinz
authors: KH
authors: Tölle
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Otto
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Blaha
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000662:veterinary; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005858:Germany; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D013623:Tail / Q000502:physiology; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Tail biting; caudophagia; fattening; nursery