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Riggio G, Angori E, Menchetti L, Diverio S. The Link between the Perception of Animal Welfare and the Emotional Response to Pictures of Farm Animals Kept in Intensive and Extensive Husbandry Systems: An Italian Survey. Vet Sci 2023; 10:652. [PMID: 37999475 PMCID: PMC10675316 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10110652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
As livestock production grows to satisfy the global demand for animal products, understanding public attitudes towards different husbandry systems becomes essential for both animal welfare and socio-economic reasons. This study aimed to investigate people's emotional responses toward pictures of farm animals kept in intensive and extensive husbandry systems, their perception of animal welfare, and their choices as animal product consumers. A questionnaire that included demographic questions and photos of cows, pigs, chickens, and rabbits in both intensive and extensive systems was distributed electronically and physically and completed by 835 respondents. Photos of animals in intensive systems elicited more negative emotions, especially for pigs and rabbits (p < 0.05), as opposed to extensive systems, which elicited more positive emotions, especially for chickens (p < 0.001). Higher welfare levels were perceived for extensively farmed animals (p < 0.001) and for cattle compared to all other species, regardless of the husbandry system (p < 0.001). The quality of the emotional response was positively associated with welfare perception (p < 0.001) and negatively associated with the importance given to welfare when purchasing animal products (p < 0.001). Finally, the emotional response was found to be affected by gender, education, household composition, living area, pet ownership, and eating habits. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Riggio
- Laboratory of Ethology and Animal Welfare (LEBA), Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Angori
- Independent Researcher, Via IV novembre 13, 52044 Camucia, Italy; ely--@live.it
| | - Laura Menchetti
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, Camerino University, Via Circonvallazione 93/95, 62024 Matelica, Italy
| | - Silvana Diverio
- Laboratory of Ethology and Animal Welfare (LEBA), Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy;
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2
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Minussi I, Gerrits WJJ, Jansman AJM, Gerritsen R, Lambert W, Zonderland JJ, Bolhuis JE. Amino acid supplementation counteracts negative effects of low protein diets on tail biting in pigs more than extra environmental enrichment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19268. [PMID: 37935708 PMCID: PMC10630283 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Low protein (LP) diets may increase the occurrence of damaging behaviours, like tail biting, in pigs. We investigated the effect of supplementing a LP diet with indispensable amino acids (IAA) or environmental enrichment on tail biting. Undocked pigs (n = 48 groups of 12) received either a normal protein diet (NP), a LP, LP with supplemented IAA (LP+), or LP diet with extra environmental enrichment (LP-E+) during the starter, grower, and finisher phase. Performance, activity, behaviour, and body damage were recorded. LP and LP-E+ had a lower feed intake, growth, and gain-to-feed ratio, and were more active than NP and LP+ pigs. LP-E+ pigs interacted most often with enrichment materials, followed by LP, LP+, and NP pigs. LP pigs showed more tail biting than all other groups during the starter phase and the finisher phase (tendency) compared to NP and LP+ pigs. Thus, LP-E+ only reduced tail biting in the starter phase, whereas LP+ tended to do so throughout. Tail damage was more severe in LP pigs than in NP and LP+, with LP-E+ in between. In conclusion, IAA supplementation was more effective than extra environmental enrichment in countering the negative effects of a low protein diet on tail biting in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Minussi
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Wageningen UR, Livestock Research, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Walter J J Gerrits
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - J Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Svoboda M, Hodkovicova N, Siwicki A, Szweda W. The importance of slaughterhouses in monitoring the occurrence of tail biting in pigs - Review. VET MED-CZECH 2023; 68:349-358. [PMID: 37981944 PMCID: PMC10646543 DOI: 10.17221/85/2023-vetmed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Tail biting in pigs represents a very serious problem in modern pig farming, particularly with the intensification of the industry. It is considered a multifactorial syndrome and can be caused by various factors, leading to significant economic losses through reduced weight gain and partial or total condemnation of slaughtered carcasses due to secondary bacterial infections. The aim of this article is to summarise the current knowledge regarding tail biting in pigs, with a primary focus on the use of slaughterhouses for evaluating tail lesions and monitoring their prevalence. The introduction addresses the factors influencing the incidence of tail biting in pig farms and prevention strategies. Subsequent sections cover topics such as tail docking, the negative effects of pig tail biting, the advantages and drawbacks of examining tail lesions in slaughterhouses, and the methodical procedure for evaluating such lesions. Additionally, the article discusses the relationship between tail lesions and meat inspection findings, as well as the prevalence of tail lesions in various European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Svoboda
- Ruminant and Swine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Nikola Hodkovicova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrzej Siwicki
- Department of Microbiology and Clinical Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Wojciech Szweda
- Department of Epizootiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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Nielsen B, Horndrup LV, Turner SP, Christensen OF, Nielsen HM, Ask B. Selection for social genetic effects in purebred pigs improves behaviour and handling of their crossbred progeny. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:54. [PMID: 37491205 PMCID: PMC10367277 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00828-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In commercial pig production, reduction of harmful social behavioural traits, such as ear manipulation and tail biting, is of major interest. Moreover, farmers prefer animals that are easy to handle. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether selection on social breeding values (SBV) for growth rate in purebred pigs affects behaviour in a weighing crate, lesions from ear manipulation, and tail biting of their crossbred progeny. Data were collected on crossbred F1 pigs allocated to 274 pens, which were progeny of purebred Landrace sows and Yorkshire boars from a DanBred nucleus herd. RESULTS Behaviour in the weighing crate scored on a three-level scale showed that groups of pigs with high SBV for growth rate were significantly calmer than groups of pigs with low SBV (P < 0.027). When the mean SBV in the group increased by 1 unit, the proportion of pigs that obtained a calmer score level was increased by 14%. A significant (p = 0.04), favourable effect of SBV was found on both the number of pigs with ear lesions in the group and the mean number of ear lesions per pig. For a 1 unit increase in mean SBV, the mean number of lesions per pig decreased by 0.06 from a mean of 0.98. Individual severity of ear lesions conditional upon the number of ear lesions was also significantly affected (p = 0.05) by the mean SBV in the group. In groups for which the mean SBV increased by 1 unit, the proportion of pigs that were observed with a lower severity score was increased by 20% on a three-level scale. Most pigs received no tail biting injuries and no effect of SBV was observed on the tail injury score. CONCLUSIONS After 7 weeks in the finisher unit, crossbred progeny with high SBV were calmer in the weighing crate and had fewer ear lesions. These results indicate that selection of purebred parents for SBV for growth rate will increase welfare in their crossbred progeny by decreasing the number of ear lesions and making them easier to handle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarne Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark.
| | - Lizette Vestergaard Horndrup
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, SRUC, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Ole Fredslund Christensen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hanne Marie Nielsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. Møllers Allé 3, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Ask
- Breeding and Genetics, Pig, Danish Agriculture and Food Council F.M.B.A., Axelborg, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark
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Lemos Teixeira D, Salazar LC, Enriquez-Hidalgo D, Hötzel MJ. Pigs' capacity to experience feelings and to suffer from tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness: Exploring citizens and pig farm and abattoir workers' knowledge and perceptions. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286188. [PMID: 37228150 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers as well as lay citizens regarding (1) sentience and (2) positive (intelligent and friendly) and negative (gluttonous, stubborn and dirty) attributes of pigs. We also aimed to investigate the (3) knowledge and perceptions of pig farm and abattoir workers on tail lesion, ear lesion and lameness in pigs and (4) the opinion of lay citizens regarding the likelihood of tail lesions, ear lesions, and lameness causing suffering in pigs and affecting meat quality. Chilean pig farm workers (n = 116), pig abattoir workers (n = 95), and lay citizens (n = 708) were invited on farm, at the abattoir and in public places, respectively, to participate in a survey. Answers were indicated using a 5-point Likert scale (0 = totally disagree; 4 = totally agree). Data were analysed using generalized linear models, including recruitment place and socio-demographic data as predictor variables. Female and lay citizens attributed pigs a higher capacity to experience feelings than male participants and pig farm and abattoir workers (p < 0.05). Lay citizens and workers recruited on farm described pigs as being more intelligent and friendly than those workers recruited at the abattoir (p < 0.001); recruitment place and sex were not associated with participants' perception regarding negative attributes of pigs (p > 0.05). Most lay citizens considered that tail lesions, ear lesions and lameness are likely to cause suffering in pigs and older participants had higher odds of agreeing that tail and ear lesions are likely to affect meat quality (p < 0.05). Finally, the risk factors for tail lesion, ear lesions and lameness pointed out by pig farm and abattoir workers is in line with what has been suggested by experts. Our findings contribute to understand the perception and values of all stakeholders regarding animal welfare, as it is crucial to improve the sustainability of animal production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Lemos Teixeira
- Department of Animal and Agriculture, Hartpury University, Gloucester, United Kingdom
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile
| | - Laura C Salazar
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Maria José Hötzel
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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Czycholl I, Büttner K, Becker D, Schwennen C, Baumgärtner W, Otten W, Wendt M, Puff C, Krieter J. Are biters sick? Health status of tail biters in comparison to control pigs. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:19. [PMID: 37161469 PMCID: PMC10170755 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00314-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tail biting is a multifactorial problem. As the health status is one of the factors commonly linked to tail biting, this study focuses on the health of identified biters. 30 (obsessive) biters are compared to 30 control animals by clinical and pathological examination as well as blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples. In that way, altogether 174 variables are compared between the groups. Moreover, connections between the variables are analysed. RESULTS In the clinical examination, 6 biters, but only 2 controls (P = 0.019) were noticeably agitated in the evaluation of general behaviour, while 8 controls were noticeably calmer (2 biters, P = 0.02). Biters had a lower body weight (P = 0.0007) and 13 biters had overlong bristles (4 controls, P = 0.008). In the pathological examination, 5 biters, but none of the controls had a hyperceratosis or inflammation of the pars proventricularis of the stomach (P = 0.018). However, 7 controls and only 3 biters were affected by gut inflammation (P = 0.03). In the blood sample, protein and albumin levels were below normal range for biters (protein: 51.6 g/l, albumin: 25.4 g/l), but not for controls (protein: 53.7 g/l, albumin: 27.4 g/l), (protein: P = 0.05, albumin: P = 0.02). Moreover, 14 biters, but only 8 controls had poikilocytosis (P = 0.05). Although not statistically different between groups, many animals (36/60) were affected by hypoproteinemia and hyponatremia as well as by hypokalemia (53/60) and almost all animals (58/60) had hypomagnesemia. For hypomagnesemia, significant connections with variables linked to tail damage and ear necrosis were detected (rs/V/ρ ≥ 0.4, P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION The results suggest that behavioural tests might be helpful in identifying biters. Moreover, cornification and inflammation of the pars proventricularis is linked to becoming a biter. Furthermore, the results highlight the need for appropriate and adjusted nutrient and mineral supply, especially with regard to magnesium.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Czycholl
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Kiel University, 24098, Kiel, Germany.
- Pig Improvement Company (PIC), Hendersonville, TN, 37075, USA.
- Department for Animal Welfare and Disease Control, University of Copenhagen, 1870, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
| | - K Büttner
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig University, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - D Becker
- Institute of Genome Biology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - C Schwennen
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, 30173, Hanover, Germany
| | - W Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - W Otten
- Institute of Behavioural Physiology, Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), 18196, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - M Wendt
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, 30173, Hanover, Germany
| | - C Puff
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - J Krieter
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Kiel University, 24098, Kiel, Germany
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Fabrile MP, Ghidini S, Conter M, Varrà MO, Ianieri A, Zanardi E. Filling gaps in animal welfare assessment through metabolomics. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1129741. [PMID: 36925610 PMCID: PMC10011658 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1129741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustainability has become a central issue in Italian livestock systems driving food business operators to adopt high standards of production concerning animal husbandry conditions. Meat sector is largely involved in this ecological transition with the introduction of new label claims concerning the defense of animal welfare (AW). These new guarantees referred to AW provision require new tools for the purpose of authenticity and traceability to assure meat supply chain integrity. Over the years, European Union (EU) Regulations, national, and international initiatives proposed provisions and guidelines for assuring AW introducing requirements to be complied with and providing tools based on scoring systems for a proper animal status assessment. However, the comprehensive and objective assessment of the AW status remains challenging. In this regard, phenotypic insights at molecular level may be investigated by metabolomics, one of the most recent high-throughput omics techniques. Recent advances in analytical and bioinformatic technologies have led to the identification of relevant biomarkers involved in complex clinical phenotypes of diverse biological systems suggesting that metabolomics is a key tool for biomarker discovery. In the present review, the Five Domains model has been employed as a vademecum describing AW. Starting from the individual Domains-nutrition (I), environment (II), health (III), behavior (IV), and mental state (V)-applications and advances of metabolomics related to AW setting aimed at investigating phenotypic outcomes on molecular scale and elucidating the biological routes most perturbed from external solicitations, are reviewed. Strengths and weaknesses of the current state-of-art are highlighted, and new frontiers to be explored for AW assessment throughout the metabolomics approach are argued. Moreover, a detailed description of metabolomics workflow is provided to understand dos and don'ts at experimental level to pursue effective results. Combining the demand for new assessment tools and meat market trends, a new cross-strategy is proposed as the promising combo for the future of AW assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergio Ghidini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Mauro Conter
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Adriana Ianieri
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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D'Alessio RM, Hanlon A, O'Driscoll K. Comparison of single- and double-spaced feeders with regard to damaging behavior in pigs. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1073401. [PMID: 36908525 PMCID: PMC9992529 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1073401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This work compared the behavior and performance of 24 groups of 12 pigs kept in pens with either a DOUBLE [one feed space aligned with the front wall of the pen (WALL), and one immediately adjacent (IN)] or SINGLE (WALL only) spaced feeder, from weaning until slaughter. Pens were equipped with a rack of fresh grass and a rubber toy (weaning phase) or a wooden board (finishing phase). Every 2 weeks, interaction with the enrichment, aggressive, harmful, and play behaviors were recorded for 5 min, four times a day. In addition, the pigs were individually assessed every 2 weeks for ear, tail, and flank injuries using a 4-point scale. The duration of feeder occupancy, feed space occupancy, number of and duration of feeding bouts, and aggressive behavior at the feeder were recorded continuously from video recordings (two times while in the weaner stage and two times while in the finisher stage, one camera/pen; 1 h per occasion). Individual body weight was recorded at weaning, transfer, and slaughter, and feed delivery was recorded daily at the pen level; from these measurements, average daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. Data were analyzed using SAS v9.4. There was no effect of treatment on damaging behaviors. Pigs in DOUBLE had worse tail lesion scores on 6 of the 9 recording days (P < 0.001), but values rarely exceeded 1. Total feeder occupancy tended to be longer in DOUBLE than in SINGLE (P = 0.06). DOUBLE selected the IN feed space more often than WALL regarding the number of feeding bouts (P < 0.001). During feeding, pigs in DOUBLE received fewer aggressive behaviors than SINGLE (P < 0.001) and experienced fewer displacements than SINGLE (P < 0.001). Although both experimental groups had a similar weight at slaughter (P > 0.05), the FCR was lower in DOUBLE than in SINGLE (P < 0.05). These data suggest that doubling space at the feeder to two spaces/12 pigs reduced aggression and displacement behaviors at the feeder, indicating less competition for food. However, increasing feeder space was not a management strategy that could ensure reduced tail biting on commercial pig farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Maria D'Alessio
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
- UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alison Hanlon
- UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Keelin O'Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
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Amatucci L, Luise D, Luppi A, Virdis S, Prosperi A, Cirelli A, Bosco C, Trevisi P. Evaluation of carcass quality, body and pulmonary lesions detected at the abattoir in heavy pigs subjected or not to tail docking. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:4. [PMID: 36788627 PMCID: PMC9930331 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-022-00297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nowadays, body and tail lesions and respiratory disease are some of the greatest problems affecting the health and welfare of pigs. The aim of the study was to measure the prevalence of pleurisy, bronchopneumonia (enzootic pneumonia like lesions) and lesions on tail and body of heavy pigs subjected or not to tail docking through the inspection in Italian abattoirs. Additionally, the effect of tail docking and season was investigated on carcass quality (weight, % of lean meat, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) classification). For this purpose, a total 17.256 carcasses belonging to 171 batches from 103 farms were inspected in an Italian abattoir between 2019 and 2022. Enzootic pneumonia (EP) like lesions were scored according to the Madec and Derrien method, while pleurisy was scored using the Italian Slaughterhouse pleuritic evaluation system (SPES). For the tail and body, the lesions were scored according to Welfare Quality. The lesion score index (LSI) was calculated for each area. Data were analysed using a general linear model (GLM) including tail caudectomy, season and distance of the farm from the abattoir. RESULTS The warm season increased the percentage of lesions in carcasses in all parts of the body observed (P < 0.0001). The presence of undocked tail increased the LSI of the tail (P < 0.0001). The percentage of limbs lesions with score 2 and limbs LSI increase with increasing duration of transport (coef. = 0.003, P < 0.001; coef. = 0.008, P < 0.001; respectively). The hot carcass weight and the percentage of carcasses included in the PDO were higher in batches with docked tails (P = 0.027; P < 0.001, respectively), while the percentage of lean meat was higher in batches with undocked tails (P < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between the percentage of carcasses included in PDO and the LSI of tail (r = - 0.422; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the presence of the undocked tail and the warm season can be considered risk factors for the prevalence of tail lesions, while long transport can increase limb lesions. Furthermore, the carcass weight and meat quality were negatively influenced by tail lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Amatucci
- grid.6292.f0000 0004 1757 1758Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Diana Luise
- grid.6292.f0000 0004 1757 1758Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Luppi
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), “Bruno Ubertini”-Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sara Virdis
- grid.6292.f0000 0004 1757 1758Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Prosperi
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), “Bruno Ubertini”-Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Agatha Cirelli
- grid.6292.f0000 0004 1757 1758Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Bosco
- grid.419583.20000 0004 1757 1598Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna (IZSLER), “Bruno Ubertini”-Via Bianchi, 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Trevisi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Viale G. Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
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10
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Kakanis M, Marinou K, Sossidou EN. Greek Pig Farmers' Perceptions and Experiences of Tail Biting and Tail Docking. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13040672. [PMID: 36830460 PMCID: PMC9952019 DOI: 10.3390/ani13040672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Tail biting is both an important economic and a welfare problem. The primary preventive measure, almost on a routine basis throughout Europe, remains tail docking following a risk analysis. This study aimed to get insight on the perceptions of Greek pig farmers towards tail docking, intervention measures, and risk factors of tail biting, as well as opinions on pig welfare themes. Eighty-two farmers answered a questionnaire provided online and in printed form. In the case of a tail-biting outbreak, the most important intervention measure is the removal of the bitten pig (victim), while feed quality, air movements, and stocking density were ranked as the highest risk factors (p ≤ 0.05). Chains are the most common type of enrichment by 67% followed by plastic objects by 29.5%. Almost half of the farmers reported having no tail-biting problem on their farm, while 64.4% of the respondents have already tried at least once to raise pigs with intact tails. To reduce routine tail docking, it is essential to apply specific farm-oriented solutions effectively. To succeed in this aim, it is important to consider farmers' concerns and practices. This study is the first step in that direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michail Kakanis
- Department of Veterinary Service, Regional Unit of Pieria, Directorate of Rural Economy and Veterinary Service, 25 Martiou 49, 60132 Katerini, Greece
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.S.)
| | - Katerina Marinou
- Directorate of Animal Welfare, Veterinary Medicines and Veterinary Applications, Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food, 2 Acharnon Street, 10176 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia N. Sossidou
- Veterinary Research Institute, Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos-DIMITRA, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Correspondence: (M.K.); (E.N.S.)
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Effect of Extended Photoperiod on Performance, Health, and Behavioural Parameters in Nursery Pigs. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020137. [PMID: 36851441 PMCID: PMC9966832 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Lighting influences the circadian rhythm and physiology of animals. Yet, the influence of light on nursery pigs is not fully understood and results remain controversial. The present study investigated the effects of a prolonged photoperiod on the performance, health, and behaviour of nursery pigs. This study was conducted in one farm and included 288 hybrid nursery pigs. Long (LONG) and short (SHORT) photoperiod animals were exposed to either 16 or 8 h of light per day, respectively. Performance, health, welfare, and behavioural parameters were monitored during a nursery period of five weeks. Short photoperiod piglets tended to have higher weights at the end of the nursery (LONG: 21.59 vs. SHORT: 22.19 kg; p = 0.064) and higher average daily gain (LONG: 385 vs. SHORT: 403 g/day; p = 0.063) compared to the long photoperiod piglets. The LONG piglets had significantly higher fecal consistency scores (0-100) than the SHORT piglets on days 7 (LONG: 21 vs. SHORT: 10; p = 0.039), 11 (LONG: 40 vs. SHORT: 14; p = 0.002), 21 (LONG: 21 vs. SHORT: 8; p = 0.008), and 25 (LONG: 26 vs. SHORT: 11; p = 0.015). The LONG piglets tended to have a slightly higher incidence of aggressive behaviour (LONG: 2.49% vs. SHORT: 2.36%; p = 0.071). No significant differences were found for the remaining parameters (p > 0.1). Under the present conditions, lengthening the photoperiod during the nursery period did not significantly improve the performance, health, and welfare of the pigs.
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Hakansson F, Jensen DB. Automatic monitoring and detection of tail-biting behavior in groups of pigs using video-based deep learning methods. Front Vet Sci 2023; 9:1099347. [PMID: 36713870 PMCID: PMC9879576 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1099347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Automated monitoring of pigs for timely detection of changes in behavior and the onset of tail biting might enable farmers to take immediate management actions, and thus decrease health and welfare issues on-farm. Our goal was to develop computer vision-based methods to detect tail biting in pigs using a convolutional neural network (CNN) to extract spatial information, combined with secondary networks accounting for temporal information. Two secondary frameworks were utilized, being a long short-term memory (LSTM) network applied to sequences of image features (CNN-LSTM), and a CNN applied to image representations of sequences (CNN-CNN). To achieve our goal, this study aimed to answer the following questions: (a) Can the methods detect tail biting from video recordings of entire pens? (b) Can we utilize principal component analyses (PCA) to reduce the dimensionality of the feature vector and only use relevant principal components (PC)? (c) Is there potential to increase performance in optimizing the threshold for class separation of the predicted probabilities of the outcome? (d) What is the performance of the methods with respect to each other? The study utilized one-hour video recordings of 10 pens with pigs prior to weaning, containing a total of 208 tail-biting events of varying lengths. The pre-trained VGG-16 was used to extract spatial features from the data, which were subsequently pre-processed and divided into train/test sets before input to the LSTM/CNN. The performance of the methods regarding data pre-processing and model building was systematically compared using cross-validation. Final models were run with optimal settings and evaluated on an independent test-set. The proposed methods detected tail biting with a major-mean accuracy (MMA) of 71.3 and 64.7% for the CNN-LSTM and the CNN-CNN network, respectively. Applying PCA and using a limited number of PCs significantly increased the performance of both methods, while optimizing the threshold for class separation did result in a consistent but not significant increase of the performance. Both methods can detect tail biting from video data, but the CNN-LSTM was superior in generalizing when evaluated on new data, i.e., data not used for training the models, compared to the CNN-CNN method.
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Identifying Early Indicators of Tail Biting in Pigs by Variable Selection Using Partial Least Squares Regression. Animals (Basel) 2022; 13:ani13010056. [PMID: 36611666 PMCID: PMC9817870 DOI: 10.3390/ani13010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined relevant variables for predicting the prevalence of pigs with a tail lesion in rearing (REA) and fattening (FAT). Tail lesions were recorded at two scoring days a week in six pens in both REA (10 batches, 840 scoring days) and FAT (5 batches, 624 scoring days). To select the variables that best explain the variation within the prevalence of pigs with a tail lesion, partial least squares regression models were used with the variable importance in projection (VIP) and regression coefficients (β) as selection criteria. In REA, five factors were extracted explaining 60.6% of the dependent variable's variance, whereas in FAT five extracted factors explained 62.4% of the dependent variable's variance. According to VIP and β, seven variables were selected in REA and six in FAT with the tail posture being the most important variable. In addition, skin lesions, treatment index in the suckling phase, water consumption (mean), activity time (mean; CV) and exhaust air rate (CV) were selected in REA. In FAT, additional musculoskeletal system issues, activity time (mean; CV) and exhaust air rate (mean; CV) were selected according to VIP and β. The selected variables indicate which variables should be collected in the stable to e.g., predict tail biting.
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Bagaria M, Kuiper L, Meijer E, Sterck EHM. Individual behavioral correlates of tail biting in pre-finishing piglets. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:1033463. [PMID: 36544555 PMCID: PMC9760930 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1033463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tail biting is a widespread problem in pig production systems and has a negative impact on both animal welfare and farm income. This explorative study aims to validate how tail biting is related to general behaviors at the individual level and explore whether these behaviors are related to a particular type of tail biting: two-stage, sudden-forceful, obsessive, or epidemic. Methods This research was conducted in a standard commercial setting where 89 tail-docked pre-finishing piglets divided into 8 groups were observed 4 days per week from 5 to 8 weeks of age. Each piglet was observed for a total of 160 min using continuous focal sampling. Ten individual behaviors were recorded based on the general behaviors expected to be linked to giving tail biting (PCA1), receiving tail biting (PCA2), and tail biting damage (PCA3). These PCAs were assembled and related to tail biting given, tail biting received, and tail biting lesions. Results Tail biting did not lead to major damage on the piglets' tail at 8 weeks of age but was observed 420 times, where most of the individuals (72%) were categorized as "biters and victims." When relating PCA1 with tail biting given, piglets that gave more tail biting showed more "active exploration." When relating PCA2 with tail biting received, piglets receiving more tail biting were more "explored while active" and "attacked and explored." When relating PCA2 with tail biting lesions, piglets presenting lesions showed more "agonism." Surprisingly, tail biting lesions were not significantly related to PCA3. The relationship between explorative behaviors and tail biting indicates that the pre-damage stage of two-stage tail biting was the predominant tail biting type, while the damaging stage was likely incipient. The relationship between tail biting and aggression, as well as the minor tail lesions observed suggest that sudden-forceful tail biting was probably present even though it was rarely seen. Obsessive and epidemic tail biting were not observed. Discussion This study demonstrates that studying tail biting at the individual level helps to identify the type of tail biting present. This gives directions to farmers for applying appropriate measures to prevent the development of tail biting behavior in piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Bagaria
- Animal Behavior & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands,Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Monells, Spain,*Correspondence: Marc Bagaria
| | - Laura Kuiper
- Animal Behavior & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ellen Meijer
- Population Health, Veterinary Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth H. M. Sterck
- Animal Behavior & Cognition, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands,Animal Science Department, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
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15
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Piva MM, Schwertz CI, Henker LC, Bianchi RM, Kemper RT, de Almeida BA, Nagae RY, Michaelsen TR, Pavarini SP. Non-ambulatory pigs in two Brazilian growing-finishing farms: a clinic, etiological and pathological perspective on 76 cases. Porcine Health Manag 2022; 8:36. [PMID: 35948945 PMCID: PMC9364575 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-022-00279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Non-ambulatory pigs, colloquially known as downers or downed pigs, are animals presented with limited to no mobility, usually as a result of pre-existing neurologic or musculoskeletal conditions. Impaired ambulation is a major cause of euthanasia in pigs, leading to economic losses and animal welfare concerns. Additionally, reaching the underlying diagnosis of impaired ambulation in pigs is commonly a challenging task for swine practitioners. The aim of this necropsy-based study was to report the clinical, etiological, and pathological findings of 76 non-ambulatory grower-finisher pigs, and to correlate tail-biting lesions with the causes of death/reason for euthanasia in non-ambulatory pigs. Necropsies of downed pigs were performed during on-site visits to two pig farms in southern Brazil. Results The diagnosis of the conditions was based on the clinical, macroscopic, histopathological, bacteriological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings. The diseases diagnosed in non-ambulatory pigs in this study were suppurative arthritis (29/76), suppurative spondylitis (10/76), PVC-2 associated diseases (8/76), bone fracture (7/76), non-suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis (4/76), suppurative meningoencephalitis (6/76), fibrocartilaginous thromboembolism (3/76), epiphysiolysis (3/76), ascending bacterial myelitis (3/76), and other conditions (3/76). The frequency of suppurative arthritis, suppurative spondylitis, and ascending bacterial myelitis/meningitis was higher in pigs with tail biting lesions than controls (P < 0.001). Conclusions Non-ambulatory pigs were observed during the entire rearing period, however, the occurrence of non-ambulatory pigs increased in animals aged ≥ 150 days. Infectious diseases were the most common cause of downed pigs, mainly associated with chronic bacterial infections. Tail biting lesions were an important predisposing factor to suppurative arthritis, suppurative spondylitis, and ascending bacterial myelitis/meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoela Marchezan Piva
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil.
| | - Claiton I Schwertz
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Luan Cleber Henker
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Michel Bianchi
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Regina Tose Kemper
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Bruno Albuquerque de Almeida
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Yuiti Nagae
- Animal Health Laboratory, Seara Alimentos LTDA, 155 Av. Paludo, Industrial, Seara, Santa Catarina, 89770-000, Brazil
| | - Taís Regina Michaelsen
- Animal Health Laboratory, Seara Alimentos LTDA, 155 Av. Paludo, Industrial, Seara, Santa Catarina, 89770-000, Brazil
| | - Saulo Petinatti Pavarini
- Departament of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul - UFRGS, 9090 Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 91540-000, Brazil
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16
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt G, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Edwards S, Ivanova S, Leeb C, Wechsler B, Fabris C, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Spoolder H. Welfare of pigs on farm. EFSA J 2022; 20:e07421. [PMID: 36034323 PMCID: PMC9405538 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating sows, suckling piglets, weaners, rearing pigs and boars. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. Recommendations are also provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of pigs related to tail biting and related to the European Citizen's Initiative 'End the Cage Age'. For example, the AHAW Panel recommends how to mitigate group stress when dry sows and gilts are grouped immediately after weaning or in early pregnancy. Results of a comparative qualitative assessment suggested that long-stemmed or long-cut straw, hay or haylage is the most suitable material for nest-building. A period of time will be needed for staff and animals to adapt to housing lactating sows and their piglets in farrowing pens (as opposed to crates) before achieving stable welfare outcomes. The panel recommends a minimum available space to the lactating sow to ensure piglet welfare (measured by live-born piglet mortality). Among the main risk factors for tail biting are space allowance, types of flooring, air quality, health status and diet composition, while weaning age was not associated directly with tail biting in later life. The relationship between the availability of space and growth rate, lying behaviour and tail biting in rearing pigs is quantified and presented. Finally, the panel suggests a set of ABMs to use at slaughter for monitoring on-farm welfare of cull sows and rearing pigs.
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Henry M, Shoveller AK, O'Sullivan TL, Niel L, Friendship R. Effect of Varying Levels of Dietary Tryptophan on Aggression and Abnormal Behavior in Growing Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:849970. [PMID: 35720838 PMCID: PMC9198587 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.849970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Body lesions, resulting from tail-biting and ear-biting, can result in decreased health and welfare in pigs. Tryptophan, an indispensable amino acid, is needed to support protein deposition, and the synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is important to mood, sleep-wake and eating patterns and might play a role in aggression and abnormal behavior. Two randomized block design studies were conducted to assess the influence of varying dietary tryptophan levels on aggression and abnormal behavior in 8-week-old pigs. Six diets were formulated which met or exceeded all nutrient requirements yet differed according to the dietary tryptophan content. The first study included control (100% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan), supplemented (175% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan), and supplement-plus (250% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan) experimental diets, while the second study included deficient (80% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan), adequate control (105% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan), and extra-tryptophan (130% standardized ileal digestible tryptophan) experimental diets. Concentrations of plasma tryptophan and large neutral amino acids (tyrosine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, and phenylalanine) were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and the tryptophan to large neutral amino acid ratio was calculated. Analysis for time active, lying, and engaging in aggressive interactions was carried out using 10-min scan samples to determine behavioral time budgets of the pigs on different experimental diets. Pigs fed diets with supplemented tryptophan had higher concentrations of both plasma tryptophan and tryptophan to large neutral amino acid ratio compared to the pigs fed the control diet (P < 0.05) in the first study, while no significant differences were detected for plasma tryptophan or the tryptophan to large neutral amino acid ratio in the second study. Diet did not have an effect (P > 0.05) on weight, feed intake or behavior throughout the studies. The results suggest that an increase in dietary tryptophan relative to large neutral amino acids, fed for 29 days, impacts circulating plasma tryptophan and therefore, serotonin concentrations in the pig. Despite an increase in circulating plasma tryptophan in response to an increase in dietary tryptophan in the first study, we failed to see an impact of the dietary treatment on body, tail and ear-biting behavior under the conditions studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Henry
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Maggie Henry
| | | | | | - Lee Niel
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Friendship
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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18
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Kang HJ, Bae S, Lee H. Correlation of Animal-based parameters with environment-based parameters in an on-farm welfare assessment of growing pigs. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2022; 64:539-563. [PMID: 35709106 PMCID: PMC9184699 DOI: 10.5187/jast.2022.e23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Nine pig farms were evaluated for the welfare quality in Korea using animal- and
environment-based parameters (particularly air quality parameters) during the
winter of 2013. The Welfare Quality® (WQ®)
protocol consists of 12 criteria within four principles. The
WQ® protocol classifies farms into four categories ranging
from ‘excellent’ to ‘not classified’. Each of these
criteria has specific measures for calculating scores. Calculations for the
welfare scores were conducted online using the calculation model in the
WQ® protocol. Environment-based parameters like
microclimate (i.e., temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and particulate
matter), bacteria (total airborne bacteria, airborne total coliform, and
airborne total Escherichia coli), concentration of gases
(carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide) were measured to investigate the
relationship between animal- and environment-based parameters. Correlations
between the results of animal- and environment-based parameters were estimated
using spearman correlation coefficient. The overall assessments found that five
out of nine farms were ‘acceptable’, and four farms were
‘enhanced’; no farm was ‘not classified’. The
average score for the four principles across the nine farms, in decreasing
order, were ‘good feeding’ (63.13 points) > ‘good
housing’ (59.26 points) > ‘good health’ (33.47 points)
> ‘appropriate behaviors’ (25.48 points). In the result of the
environment aspect, the relative humidity of farms 2 (93.4%), 3 (100%), and 9
(98%) was much higher than the recommended maximum relative humidity of 80%, and
four out of the nine farms had ammonia concentrations greater than 40 ppm.
Ammonia had negative correlations with ‘positive social behaviors’
and positive emotional states: content, enjoying, sociable, playful, lively,
happy and it had positive correlations with negative emotional states: aimless,
distressed. The concentration of carbon dioxide had negative correlations with
positive emotional states; calm, sociable, playful, happy and it had a positive
correlation with negative emotional state; aimless. Our results indicate that
the control of the environment for growing pigs can help improve their welfare,
particularly via good air quality (carbon dioxide, ammonia, hydrogen
sulfide).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Kang
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology
and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National
University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Center for Animal Welfare Research (CAWR),
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Sangeun Bae
- Communication and Advisory Services in
Rural Areas Institute of Social Sciences in Agriculture, University of
Hohenheim, Stuttgart 70593, Germany
| | - Hang Lee
- Center for Animal Welfare Research (CAWR),
College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary
Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Corresponding author: Hang Lee, Center for Animal
Welfare Research (CAWR), College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute
for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea. Tel:
+82-2-880-1240, E-mail:
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Drexl V, Dittrich I, Haase A, Klingelhöller H, Diers S, Krieter J. Tail posture as an early indicator of tail biting - a comparison of animal and pen level in weaner pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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20
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Gomes A, Romeo C, Ghidini S, Vieira-Pinto M. The Relationship between Carcass Condemnations and Tail Lesion in Swine Considering Different Production Systems and Tail Lengths. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12080949. [PMID: 35454196 PMCID: PMC9030673 DOI: 10.3390/ani12080949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tail biting is considered a major welfare problem in swine production, associated with relevant financial costs for farmers. The European Union has reaffirmed the prohibition of tail docking practices, with all Member States establishing standards for the protection of pigs as well as measures to reduce the need for tail docking and tail biting prevalence. This research aims to assess the importance of tail lesions (using two different scores) and its influence on carcass condemnations considering different production systems and tail length. According to the results, higher tail lesion scores reflected higher total condemnations rates. An intimate association was encountered between the scarring score and total and local carcass condemnations. Tail length was also significant, with undocked animals presenting higher tail lesions scores. Organic batches reported more total condemnations. This research highlights the importance of tail lesions on carcass condemnations that may also be influenced by docking and type of production. These results suggest that scarred tail tissue should be included in the current tail surveillance program. Abstract Tail biting has been recognised as an intractable problem in pig production. This study aims to evaluate tail lesion occurrence in slaughtered pigs and explore the relationship between carcass condemnations and tail lesion considering different production systems and tail lengths and to evaluate the importance of creating a detailed tail score classification that includes scarred lesions. Data on a total of 9189 pigs from 73 batches with different tail lengths (undocked; docked mid-length; fully docked) and from distinct production systems (conventional; conventional antibiotic-free and organic) were collected at a Spanish abattoir. Batches with higher tail lesion scores presented a significantly higher chance of total condemnation and total condemnation due to pyaemia, being even more associated with scarring score. The within-batches probability for local condemnations and local condemnation due to abscesses increased significantly with higher scarring scores. Regarding tail length, docked at mid-length and undocked carcasses presented significantly higher odds to be condemned due to abscess. Organic farms showed a higher probability of total condemnations. This research highlights the importance of tail lesions on carcass condemnations that may also be influenced by docking and type of production. Results suggest that scarring score should be included in the tail surveillance program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Gomes
- School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal;
| | - Claudia Romeo
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (C.R.); (S.G.)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Sergio Ghidini
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Via del Taglio 10, 43126 Parma, Italy; (C.R.); (S.G.)
| | - Madalena Vieira-Pinto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- CECAV—Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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21
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Boyle LA, Edwards SA, Bolhuis JE, Pol F, Šemrov MZ, Schütze S, Nordgreen J, Bozakova N, Sossidou EN, Valros A. The Evidence for a Causal Link Between Disease and Damaging Behavior in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2022; 8:771682. [PMID: 35155642 PMCID: PMC8828939 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.771682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Damaging behaviors (DB) such as tail and ear biting are prevalent in pig production and reduce welfare and performance. Anecdotal reports suggest that health challenges increase the risk of tail-biting. The prevalence of tail damage and health problems show high correlations across batches within and between farms. There are many common risk factors for tail-biting and health problems, notably respiratory, enteric and locomotory diseases. These include suboptimal thermal climate, hygiene, stocking density and feed quality. The prevalence of tail damage and health problems also show high correlations across batches within and between farms. However, limited evidence supports two likely causal mechanisms for a direct link between DB and health problems. The first is that generalized poor health (e.g., enzootic pneumonia) on farm poses an increased risk of pigs performing DB. Recent studies indicate a possible causal link between an experimental inflammation and an increase in DB, and suggest a link between cytokines and tail-biting. The negative effects of poor health on the ingestion and processing of nutrients means that immune-stimulated pigs may develop specific nutrient deficiencies, increasing DB. The second causal mechanism involves tail-biting causing poor health. Indirectly, pathogens enter the body via the tail lesion and once infected, systemic spread of infection may occur. This occurs mainly via the venous route targeting the lungs, and to a lesser extent via cerebrospinal fluid and the lymphatic system. In carcasses with tail lesions, there is an increase in lung lesions, abscessation, arthritis and osteomyelitis. There is also evidence for the direct spread of pathogens between biters and victims. In summary, the literature supports the association between poor health and DB, particularly tail-biting. However, there is insufficient evidence to confirm causality in either direction. Nevertheless, the limited evidence is compelling enough to suggest that improvements to management and housing to enhance pig health will reduce DB. In the same way, improvements to housing and management designed to address DB, are likely to result in benefits to pig health. While most of the available literature relates to tail-biting, we suggest that similar mechanisms are responsible for links between health and other DB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Boyle
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Cork, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Laura A. Boyle
| | - Sandra A. Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | - Manja Zupan Šemrov
- Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sabine Schütze
- Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia, Animal Health Services, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | - Janicke Nordgreen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nadya Bozakova
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Evangelia N. Sossidou
- Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos-DIMITRA (ELGO-DIMITRA), Veterinary Research Institute, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anna Valros
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Kobek-Kjeldager C, Schönherz AA, Canibe N, Pedersen LJ. Diet and microbiota-gut-brain axis in relation to tail biting in pigs: A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Kalies A, Baumgartner J, Beyerbach M, Stanojlovic M, Scholz T, Richter F, von Altrock A, Hennig-Pauka I. Interactive Rooting Towers and Behavioural Observations as Strategies to Reduce Tail Biting on Conventional Pig Fattening Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113025. [PMID: 34827758 PMCID: PMC8614303 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight pens (25 pigs/pen; n = 200) provided with an interactive straw-filled rooting tower (experimental group) and five pens (25 pigs/pen; n = 125) with a stationary (fixed) tower without straw (control group) were compared within three fattening periods on a conventional farm with fully slatted flooring. The effectiveness of the tower to trigger favourable behaviour in feeding and outside feeding periods was assessed. The incidence of deep tail injuries was lower in the experimental group (experimental group: Odds Ratio 0.3, p < 0.001) and was influenced by the batch (Odds Ratio: 2.38, p < 0.001) but not by pen and sex. In spring, most pens were excluded due to severe tail biting. Tail injury scores were more severe in the control group in weeks 5, 6 and 7 compared to the experimental group (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Tower manipulation was more frequent during feeding compared to outside feeding time (p = 0.002). More head than tail manipulation occurred in the experimental group (p = 0.03). The interactive tower as the only measure was not appropriate to reduce tail biting sufficiently in pigs with intact tails on a conventional fattening farm. Of high priority to prevent tail biting outbreaks was the early detection of biting pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kalies
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Johannes Baumgartner
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Martin Beyerbach
- Institute for Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Milos Stanojlovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (M.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Tobias Scholz
- Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia, Haus Duesse 2, 59505 Bad Sassendorf, Germany;
| | - Franziska Richter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (M.S.); (F.R.)
| | - Alexandra von Altrock
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany;
- Correspondence: (A.v.A.); (I.H.-P.); Tel.: +49-511-953-7833 (A.v.A.); +49-511-856-7260 (I.H.-P.)
| | - Isabel Hennig-Pauka
- Field Station for Epidemiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Foundation, Buescheler Straße 9, 49456 Bakum, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.v.A.); (I.H.-P.); Tel.: +49-511-953-7833 (A.v.A.); +49-511-856-7260 (I.H.-P.)
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The gut microbiota and microbial metabolites are associated with tail biting in pigs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20547. [PMID: 34654857 PMCID: PMC8521594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tail biting is an abnormal behaviour that causes stress, injury and pain. Given the critical role of the gut-microbiota in the development of behavioural problems in humans and animals, the aim of this study was to determine whether pigs that are biters, victims of tail biting or controls (nine matched sets of pigs) have a different microbiota composition, diversity and microbial metabolite profile. We collected faecal and blood samples from each individual for analysis. The gut microbiota composition was most different between the biter and the control pigs, with a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes in tail biter pigs than the controls. Furthermore, we detected differences in faecal and plasma short chain fatty acids (SCFA) profiles between the biter and victim pigs, suggesting physiological differences even though they are kept in the same pen. Thus, in addition to supporting an association between the gut microbiota and tail biting in pigs, this study also provides the first evidence of an association between tail biting and SCFA. Therefore, further research is needed to confirm these associations, to determine causality and to study how the SCFA profiles of an individual play a role in the development of tail biting behaviour.
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Niemi JK, Edwards SA, Papanastasiou DK, Piette D, Stygar AH, Wallenbeck A, Valros A. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Seven Measures to Reduce Tail Biting Lesions in Fattening Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:682330. [PMID: 34557537 PMCID: PMC8452948 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.682330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail biting is an important animal welfare issue in the pig sector. Studies have identified various risk factors which can lead to biting incidents and proposed mitigation measures. This study focused on the following seven key measures which have been identified to affect the risk of tail biting lesions: improvements in straw provision, housing ventilation, genetics, stocking density, herd health, provision of point-source enrichment objects, and adoption of early warning systems. The aim of this study was to examine whether these selected measures to reduce the risk of tail biting lesions in pig fattening are cost-effective. The problem was analyzed by first summarizing the most prospective interventions, their costs and expected impacts on the prevalence of tail biting lesions, second, by using a stochastic bio-economic model to simulate the financial return per pig space unit and per pig at different levels of prevalence of tail biting lesions, and third by looking at how large a reduction in tail biting lesions would be needed at different levels of initial prevalence of lesions to cover the costs of interventions. Tail biting lesions of a severity which would require an action (medication, hospitalization of the pig or other care, or taking preventive measures) by the pig producer were considered in the model. The results provide guidance on the expected benefits and costs of the studied interventions. According to the results, if the average prevalence of tail biting lesions is at a level of 10%, the costs of this damaging behavior can be as high as €2.3 per slaughtered pig (~1.6% of carcass value). Measures which were considered the least expensive to apply, such as provision of point-source enrichment objects, or provided wider production benefits, such as improvements in ventilation and herd health, became profitable at a lower level of efficacy than measures which were considered the most expensive to apply (e.g., straw provision, increased space allowance, automated early warning systems). Measures which were considered most efficient in reducing the risk of tail biting lesions, such as straw provision, can be cost-effective in preventing tail biting, especially when the risk of tail biting is high. At lower risk levels, the provision of point-source objects and other less costly but relatively effective measures can play an important role. However, selection of measures appropriate to the individual farm problem is essential. For instance, if poor health or barren pens are causing the elevated risk of tail biting lesions, then improving health management or enriching the pens may resolve the tail biting problem cost-effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarkko K Niemi
- Bioeconomy and Environment Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Sandra A Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Anna H Stygar
- Bioeconomy and Environment Unit, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna Wallenbeck
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Valros
- Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Review: The tale of the Finnish pig tail - how to manage non-docked pigs? Animal 2021; 16 Suppl 2:100353. [PMID: 34563464 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail biting is a serious behavioural problem in modern pig production, causing impaired animal welfare and economic losses. In most countries, the detrimental effects of tail biting are counteracted by docking pigs tails. Finland is one of the few countries where tail docking in pigs is totally forbidden. The aim of this paper was to look in detail at features of pig production in Finland in order to try to understand how Finnish producers manage to rear non-docked pigs. The way pigs are housed and managed in Finland is influenced by both European and national legislation, but also by governmental subsidies, industry recommendations and voluntary initiatives. Several features of Finnish pig production might indeed have a preventive role regarding the tail biting risk: these include, among others, a comparably larger space allowance, partly slatted flooring, use of manipulable materials, a good animal health status and meal feeding from long troughs. In addition, Finnish producers are motivated to rear non-docked pigs, which is possibly one of the most important prerequisites for success. The experiences from Finland show that even though tail biting is still a challenge on some farms, in general, it is possible to rear non-docked pigs in intensive production. Potential positive side-effects of enhancing management and housing to facilitate the rearing of non-docked pigs include a good growth rate, a reduced need for antimicrobials and better animal welfare levels.
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Veit C, Foister S, Valros A, Munsterhjelm C, Sandercock DA, Janczak AM, Ranheim B, Nordgreen J. The use of social network analysis to describe the effect of immune activation on group dynamics in pigs. Animal 2021; 15:100332. [PMID: 34392193 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system can influence social motivation with potentially dire consequences for group-housed production animals, such as pigs. The aim of this study was to test the effect of a controlled immune activation in group-housed pigs, through an injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and an intervention with ketoprofen on centrality parameters at the individual level. In addition, we wanted to test the effect of time relative to the injection on general network parameters in order to get a better understanding of changes in social network structures at the group level. 52 female pigs (11-12 weeks) were allocated to four treatments, comprising two injections: ketoprofen-LPS (KL), ketoprofen-saline (KS), saline-LPS (SL) and saline-saline (SS). Social behaviour with a focus on damaging behaviour was observed continuously in 10 × 15 min bouts between 0800 am and 1700 pm 1 day before (baseline) and two subsequent days after injection. Activity was scan-sampled every 5 min for 6 h after the last injection in the pen. Saliva samples were taken for cortisol analysis at baseline and at 4, 24, 48, 72 h after the injections. A controlled immune activation affected centrality parameters for ear manipulation networks at the individual level. Lipopolysaccharide-injected pigs had a lower in-degree centrality, thus, received less interactions, 2 days after the challenge. Treatment effects on tail manipulation and fighting networks were not observed at the individual level. For networks of manipulation of other body parts, in-degree centrality was positively correlated with cortisol response at 4 h and lying behaviour in the first 6 h after the challenge in LPS-injected pigs. Thus, the stronger the pigs reacted to the LPS, the more interactions they received in the subsequent days. The time in relation to injection affected general network parameters for ear manipulation and fighting networks at the group level. For ear manipulation networks, in-degree centralisation was higher on the days following injection, thus, certain individuals in the pen received more interactions than the rest of the group compared to baseline. For fighting networks, betweenness decreased on the first day after injection compared to baseline, indicating that network connectivity increased after the challenge. Networks of tail manipulation and manipulation of other body parts did not change on the days after injection at the group level. Social network analysis is a method that can potentially provide important insights into the effects of sickness on social behaviour in group-housed pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Veit
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway.
| | - S Foister
- Innovent Technology, Markethill, Turriff, Aberdeenshire AB53 4PA, United Kingdom
| | - A Valros
- Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - C Munsterhjelm
- Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - D A Sandercock
- Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Roslin Institute, Scotland's Rural College, Midlothian EH15 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - A M Janczak
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - B Ranheim
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
| | - J Nordgreen
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 0454 Oslo, Norway
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Heinonen M, Välimäki E, Laakkonen AM, Toppari I, Vugts J, Fàbrega E, Valros A. Evaluation of Tail Lesions of Finishing Pigs at the Slaughterhouse: Associations With Herd-Level Observations. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:650590. [PMID: 34336967 PMCID: PMC8319664 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.650590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of tail lesions evaluated at the slaughterhouse varies considerably between herds. These lesions result mainly from tail biting, a harmful behavior with multifactorial origin. This study sought to investigate if a batchwise inspection of tails at slaughterhouse could be a useful method to estimate the animal welfare situation in finishing pig herds, and if so, what type and detail of tail scoring such an inspection should utilize. We investigated the distribution of different types of tail lesions and how well their scoring at slaughterhouse was associated with the situation recorded on-farm by a veterinarian as part of routine herd health visits. We also wanted to determine if animal welfare-related herd-level parameters, recorded by herd veterinarians during herd health visits, are associated with tail scoring at the slaughterhouse. A total of 10,517 pigtails from 84 herds were scored for this study. Herd data were collected from the national health classification register for pig farms in Finland and also included annual herd production quality data collected by the slaughterhouse. The scores of the tails varied considerably between the herds. On average, 48.1% (sd = 19.3) of the tails with an average length of 30.4 cm (sd = 2.7) were fully intact, 37.3% (13.9) had healed (length = 26.4, sd = 5.1 cm), 12.4% (9.0) (length = 28.9, sd = 4.3 cm) had minor acute wounds, and 2.3% (2.1) (length = 24.2, sd = 6.0 cm) had major acute wounds. Proportions of different tail lesions at slaughterhouse were associated with or tended to be associated with the following herd-level parameters in regression models: use of wood as enrichment (p < 0.1), one health parameter (leg problems other than arthritis, p < 0.05), and long-term animal welfare estimate (annual mortality, p < 0.05). Detailed tail evaluation at the slaughterhouse shows potential in estimating the tail lesions and long-term welfare level on the farm. By recording only one type of tail condition (such as tails with major acute lesions) at the slaughterhouse, it is not possible to estimate the total tail lesion situation in the herds before slaughter. A more detailed scoring similar to the one used in this trial is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Heinonen
- Department of Production Animal Medicine and Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anne-Maija Laakkonen
- Department of Production Animal Medicine and Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Emma Fàbrega
- Animal Welfare Program, Institut de Recerca i Tecnologia Agroalimentària, Monells, Spain
| | - Anna Valros
- Department of Production Animal Medicine and Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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29
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Henry M, Jansen H, Amezcua MDR, O’Sullivan TL, Niel L, Shoveller AK, Friendship RM. Tail-Biting in Pigs: A Scoping Review. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2002. [PMID: 34359130 PMCID: PMC8300120 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail-biting is globally recognized as a welfare concern for commercial swine production. Substantial research has been undertaken to identify risk factors and intervention methods to decrease and understand this vice. Tail-biting appears to be multifactorial and has proven difficult to predict and control. The primary objective of the scoping review was to identify and chart all available literature on the risk factors and interventions associated with tail-biting in pigs. A secondary objective was to identify gaps in the literature and identify the relevance for a systematic review. An online literature search of four databases, encompassing English, peer-reviewed and grey literature published from 1 January 1970 to 31 May 2019, was conducted. Relevance screening and charting of included articles were performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 465 citations were returned from the search strategy. Full-text screening was conducted on 118 articles, with 18 being excluded in the final stage. Interventions, possible risk factors, as well as successful and unsuccessful outcomes were important components of the scoping review. The risk factors and interventions pertaining to tail-biting were inconsistent, demonstrating the difficulty of inducing tail-biting in an experimental environment and the need for standardizing terms related to the behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Henry
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
| | - Hannah Jansen
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
| | - Maria del Rocio Amezcua
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
| | - Terri L. O’Sullivan
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
| | - Lee Niel
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
| | - Anna Kate Shoveller
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G2W1, Canada;
| | - Robert M. Friendship
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (M.H.); (H.J.); (M.d.R.A.); (T.L.O.); (L.N.)
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Laskoski F, Faccin J, Bernardi M, Mellagi A, Ulguim R, Lima G, Gonçalves M, Orlando U, Kummer R, Wentz I, Bortolozzo F. Effects of different feeder and floor space allowances on growth performance and welfare aspects in nursery pigs. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Vitali M, Nannoni E, Sardi L, Martelli G. Knowledge and Perspectives on the Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs on Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061690. [PMID: 34204037 PMCID: PMC8227195 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Italian heavy pigs are characterized by much higher body weights and age at slaughter (approximately 160–170 kg, and over 9 months of age) than the majority of pigs reared in Europe. This results in peculiar behavioral and rearing-related needs compared to smaller pigs. However, there is a limited body of research dealing with the welfare of this productive category. The aim of this review is to collect the most significant available information on welfare issues of heavy pigs on farms and to highlight recent findings and areas needing additional research. It is hoped that these findings will, in the future, serve as a basis for the development of specific policies aimed at enhancing the ethical attributes of this renowned production. Abstract This review aims to give an overview of the most significant available information on welfare issues of Italian heavy pigs on farms. These animals, whose meat is used to produce typical products, are characterized by much higher body weights and age at slaughter (approximately 160–170 kg, and 9 months of age) than most pigs reared in Europe, resulting in peculiar behavioral and rearing-related needs. To highlight the main findings and the areas in which additional research is needed, the paper was organized by allocating the studies on the basis of the Welfare Quality four principles framework, i.e., good feeding, good housing, good health, and appropriate behavior. The results indicate the possibility of improvement with regard to the management of feeding, watering, and some environmental parameters (light, thermal comfort, enrichments) and a lack of knowledge on the actual space requirements (and a corresponding regulatory gap). Moreover, deficiencies concerning the prevalence of injuries and disease and the relationship between lesions observed post-mortem and rearing conditions needs to be addressed. Lastly, the absence of research concerning the evaluation of the emotional state of animals has been highlighted. It is hoped that these findings will, in the future, serve as a basis for the development of specific policies for these animals in order to increase the ethical value of the entire production chain, in accordance with consumers’ demand and expectation for high animal welfare standards.
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Effect of Straw Provision in Racks on Tail Lesions, Straw Availability, and Pen Hygiene in Finishing Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020379. [PMID: 33540926 PMCID: PMC7913182 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Unfulfilled exploratory behavior in pigs has been linked to tail biting, which causes reduced performance and welfare. Provision of straw can reduce tail biting, but large straw rations can cause poor hygiene in pens. This study examined whether provision of straw in racks, rather than on the pen floor, can enable larger straw rations without compromising hygiene. The study was conducted on a commercial farm with 458 undocked pigs in 42 pens provided with straw in racks or on the floor. Available straw and manual cleaning requirement were assessed daily, and presence of tail lesions was assessed weekly. Both treatments had a low requirement for manual cleaning (Floor: 1.7%, Rack: 1.8%). Pigs in the rack treatment had a higher incidence of lesions early in the production period, which coincided with these pigs initially not consuming straw from the rack, leading to low straw access. Late in the production period, these pigs had learned how to use the rack and had a lower incidence of lesions than pigs in the floor treatment. Delayed use of the rack may have been linked to undeveloped spatial skills in the pigs, which needs further research.
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33
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Veit C, Janczak AM, Ranheim B, Vas J, Valros A, Sandercock DA, Piepponen P, Dulgheriu D, Nordgreen J. The Effect of LPS and Ketoprofen on Cytokines, Brain Monoamines, and Social Behavior in Group-Housed Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:617634. [PMID: 33585605 PMCID: PMC7873924 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.617634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor health is a risk factor for damaging behaviors, but the mechanisms behind this link are unknown. Injection of pigs with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be used to model aspects of poor health. Recent studies have shown that LPS-injected pigs perform more tail- and ear-directed behavior compared to saline-injected pigs and suggest that pro-inflammatory cytokines may play a role in these behaviors. The aims of this study were to test the effect of LPS on the social behavior of pigs and the neurotransmitters and modulators in their brains and to test the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug on the effects of LPS. Fifty-two female pigs (11-12 weeks) were allocated to four treatments comprising two injections: saline-saline (SS), saline-LPS (SL), ketoprofen-saline (KS), and ketoprofen-LPS (KL). Activity was scan-sampled every 5 min for 6 h after the last injection in the pen. Social behavior was observed continuously in 10 × 15-min bouts between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 1 day before (baseline) and 1 and 2 days after the injection. Saliva was analyzed for cortisol and plasma for tryptophan and kynurenine. The frontal cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and brain stem were sampled 72 h after the injection and analyzed for cytokines and monoamines. LPS activated the HPA axis and decreased the activity within 6 h after the injection. Ketoprofen lowered the effect of LPS on cortisol release and attenuated the behavioral signs of sickness in challenged pigs. SL pigs manipulated the ears of their pen mates significantly longer than SS pigs 2 days after the injection. LPS had no observed effect on IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-18. At 72 h after the injection, plasma tryptophan was depleted in SL pigs, and tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations in the frontal cortex and brain stem of SL pigs were significantly lower compared to those in SS pigs. Dopamine concentrations in the hypothalamus of SL pigs were significantly lower compared to those in SS pigs. Serotonin concentrations in the hypothalamus and noradrenaline concentrations in the hippocampus of SL pigs were significantly lower compared to those in KL pigs. In conclusion, LPS influenced the different neurotransmitters and modulators in the brain that are hypothesized to play an important role in the regulation of mood and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Veit
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew M Janczak
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Birgit Ranheim
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Judit Vas
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Anna Valros
- Research Centre for Animal Welfare, Department of Production Animal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dale A Sandercock
- Animal and Veterinary Science Research Group, Scotland's Rural College, Roslin Institute Building, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Petteri Piepponen
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Daniela Dulgheriu
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Janicke Nordgreen
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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Canario L, Bijma P, David I, Camerlink I, Martin A, Rauw WM, Flatres-Grall L, van der Zande L, Turner SP, Larzul C, Rydhmer L. Prospects for the Analysis and Reduction of Damaging Behaviour in Group-Housed Livestock, With Application to Pig Breeding. Front Genet 2020; 11:611073. [PMID: 33424934 PMCID: PMC7786278 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.611073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Innovations in the breeding and management of pigs are needed to improve the performance and welfare of animals raised in social groups, and in particular to minimise biting and damage to group mates. Depending on the context, social interactions between pigs can be frequent or infrequent, aggressive, or non-aggressive. Injuries or emotional distress may follow. The behaviours leading to damage to conspecifics include progeny savaging, tail, ear or vulva biting, and excessive aggression. In combination with changes in husbandry practices designed to improve living conditions, refined methods of genetic selection may be a solution reducing these behaviours. Knowledge gaps relating to lack of data and limits in statistical analyses have been identified. The originality of this paper lies in its proposal of several statistical methods for common use in analysing and predicting unwanted behaviours, and for genetic use in the breeding context. We focus on models of interaction reflecting the identity and behaviour of group mates which can be applied directly to damaging traits, social network analysis to define new and more integrative traits, and capture-recapture analysis to replace missing data by estimating the probability of behaviours. We provide the rationale for each method and suggest they should be combined for a more accurate estimation of the variation underlying damaging behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurianne Canario
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Piter Bijma
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid David
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Irene Camerlink
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Alexandre Martin
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Wendy Mercedes Rauw
- Department of Animal Breeding, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lisette van der Zande
- Adaptation Physiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Topigs Norsvin Research Center B.V., Beuningen, Netherlands
| | - Simon P. Turner
- Scotland's Rural College, Kings Buildings, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Larzul
- GenPhySE, INRAE French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, ENVT, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Lotta Rydhmer
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Rabhi N, Thibodeau A, Côté JC, Devillers N, Laplante B, Fravalo P, Larivière-Gauthier G, Thériault WP, Faucitano L, Beauchamp G, Quessy S. Association Between Tail-Biting and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:563762. [PMID: 33363226 PMCID: PMC7756002 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.563762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail-biting (TB) in pigs is a serious behavioral disorder. It is an important challenge in swine production as it impacts animal welfare and health and the economics and safety of the pork meat supply chain. To prevent TB, approaches including enrichment material and tail docking are proposed but none are optimal. Nutrition appears to be an important factor in TB behavior, perhaps by modulating the intestinal microbiota (IM). Our aim was to assess the association between TB behavior and IM in pigs through comparisons of IM in groups of biter, bitten and non-biter/non-bitten pigs. Each group composed of 12 pigs was formed at the beginning of the growing/finishing phase based on a target behavior analysis centered on TB behavior for the biter group and a score of damages caused to the tail for the bitten group. Blood and fecal samples were collected from each pig during a TB episode, at time 0, t0, and when the TB episode was considered finished, 4 weeks later, at time 1, t1. Serum cortisol level was determined by ELISA and used as an indicator of stress. The pig's fecal microbiota was analyzed from DNA extracted from freshly collected fecal matter using amplicon sequencing of the V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in either the biter or bitten pig groups compared to the negative control group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). The microbiota alpha-diversity was not significantly different between all groups, biter, bitten and negative control. Analyses of beta-diversity, however, revealed a significant difference between either the biter or the bitten group in comparison to the non-biter/non-bitten negative control group in terms of structure and composition of the microbiota. Lactobacillus were significantly more abundant in the negative control group compared to the two other groups (p = 0.001). No significant difference was revealed between the biter and bitten groups. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) confirmed that lactobacilli were more abundant in the negative control group. Our study indicates that TB behavior is associated with the IM composition in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nassima Rabhi
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Thibodeau
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Charles Côté
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Devillers
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | | | - Philippe Fravalo
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Larivière-Gauthier
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - William P Thériault
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Luigi Faucitano
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Guy Beauchamp
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvain Quessy
- Chaire de Recherche en Salubrité des Viandes - Conseil de Recherches en Sciences Naturelles et en Génie du Canada (CRSV-CRSNG), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie Porcine et Avicole - Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Nature et Technologies (CRIPA-FRQNT), Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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Investigation of Pig Activity Based on Video Data and Semi-Supervised Neural Networks. AGRIENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/agriengineering2040039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The activity level of pigs is an important stress indicator which can be associated to tail-biting, a major issue for animal welfare of domestic pigs in conventional housing systems. Although the consideration of the animal activity could be essential to detect tail-biting before an outbreak occurs, it is often manually assessed and therefore labor intense, cost intensive and impracticable on a commercial scale. Recent advances of semi- and unsupervised convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have made them to the state of art technology for detecting anomalous behavior patterns in a variety of complex scene environments. In this study we apply such a CNN for anomaly detection to identify varying levels of activity in a multi-pen problem setup. By applying a two-stage approach we first trained the CNN to detect anomalies in the form of extreme activity behavior. Second, we trained a classifier to categorize the detected anomaly scores by learning the potential activity range of each pen. We evaluated our framework by analyzing 82 manually rated videos and achieved a success rate of 91%. Furthermore, we compared our model with a motion history image (MHI) approach and a binary image approach using two benchmark data sets, i.e., the well established pedestrian data sets published by the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and our pig data set. The results show the effectiveness of our framework, which can be applied without the need of a labor intense manual annotation process and can be utilized for the assessment of the pig activity in a variety of applications like early warning systems to detect changes in the state of health.
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Chou JY, O’Driscoll K, Sandercock DA, D’Eath RB. Can increased dietary fibre level and a single enrichment device reduce the risk of tail biting in undocked growing-finishing pigs in fully slatted systems? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241619. [PMID: 33125443 PMCID: PMC7598487 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness of combined dietary and enrichment strategies to manage tail biting in pigs with intact tails in a conventional fully-slatted floor housing system. A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design was used. Pigs had either a high fibre (weaner 5.3% and finisher 11.6% of crude fibre) or standard fibre diet (weaner 3.7% and finisher 5.9% of crude fibre). In the weaner stage, pigs had either a spruce wooden post (supplied in a wall-mounted dispenser) or a rubber floor toy as a enrichment device, and in the finisher stage, they had either the same or alternate enrichment item. Six hundred and seventy-two pigs were assigned to 48 pens of 14 pigs and followed from weaning until slaughter. Individual tail lesion scores and pen level behaviours were directly recorded every 2 weeks. Twenty-six pens had tail biting outbreaks and 161 injured pigs needed removal for treatment. Pigs fed with the high fibre diet performed more tail biting (p < 0.05) and tended to have a worse tail damage scores than those fed the standard fibre diet (p = 0.08). Pigs which had the floor toy as weaners and wood as finishers tended to have fewer tail lesions in the finisher stage than their counterparts (p = 0.06). Pigs receiving the floor toy as enrichment interacted with the enrichment more frequently overall (p < 0.001) and performed fewer harmful behaviours in the weaner stage (p < 0.05). Overall, higher fibre in the diet in a relatively barren environment did not help reduce tail biting or tail lesions. Altering the fibre level in the pigs’ diet and providing a single enrichment device to undocked pigs on fully slatted floors resulted in a high level of tail biting and a large proportion of pigs with partial tail amputation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Yun Chou
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
- Animal & Veterinary Sciences Research Group, Scotland’s Rural College, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Dale A. Sandercock
- Animal & Veterinary Sciences Research Group, Scotland’s Rural College, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
| | - Rick B. D’Eath
- Animal & Veterinary Sciences Research Group, Scotland’s Rural College, Easter Bush, Midlothian, United Kingdom
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Nordgreen J, Edwards SA, Boyle LA, Bolhuis JE, Veit C, Sayyari A, Marin DE, Dimitrov I, Janczak AM, Valros A. A Proposed Role for Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Damaging Behavior in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:646. [PMID: 33134341 PMCID: PMC7562715 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sickness can change our mood for the worse, leaving us sad, lethargic, grumpy and less socially inclined. This mood change is part of a set of behavioral symptoms called sickness behavior and has features in common with core symptoms of depression. Therefore, the physiological changes induced by immune activation, for example following infection, are in the spotlight for explaining mechanisms behind mental health challenges such as depression. While humans may take a day off and isolate themselves until they feel better, farm animals housed in groups have only limited possibilities for social withdrawal. We suggest that immune activation could be a major factor influencing social interactions in pigs, with outbreaks of damaging behavior such as tail biting as a possible result. The hypothesis presented here is that the effects of several known risk factors for tail biting are mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines, proteins produced by the immune system, and their effect on neurotransmitter systems. We describe the background for and implications of this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janicke Nordgreen
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sandra A. Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - J. Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Christina Veit
- Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amin Sayyari
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Daniela E. Marin
- National Institute for Research and Development for Biology and Animal Nutrition, Balotesti, Romania
| | | | - Andrew M. Janczak
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Valros
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Research Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Piva MM, Schwertz CI, Bianchi RM, Kemper RT, Henker LC, Nagae RY, Cê TRM, Barcellos DES, Driemeier D, Pavarini SP. Causes of death in growing-finishing pigs in two technified farms in southern Brazil. PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA 2020. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-5150-pvb-6708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the main causes of death in growing-finishing pigs in southern Brazil. During a one-year period (from 2018 to 2019), two industrial pig herds (18 and 20 thousand pigs each farm) in southern Brazil were monitored along the four seasons of the year (12 days per season on each farm), in order to perform necropsies of all pigs that died in that period. The two farms had an average monthly mortality rate ranging from 0.94 to 3.93% in the evaluated months. At necropsy, tissues were collected, fixed in 10% formalin solution and processed routinely for histopathological examination. When necessary, samples were sent for bacterial culture and PCR to identify etiologic agents. A total of 601 necropsies were performed, with 94.9% of conclusive diagnoses. Infectious diseases corresponded to 64.4% of conclusive diagnosis and non-infectious diseases to 35.6%. The most prevalent causes of death were: pneumonia (33%), gastric ulcers (15.4%), circovirosis (9.9%), systemic bacterial embolism (5.4%), polyserositis (4.4%), dilated cardiomyopathy and torsion of abdominal organs (4.3% each), and bacterial pericarditis (3.4%). Regarding pneumonias (199/601), the main agents identified in these cases were Pasteurella multocida, Influenza A virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, mainly in associations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ricardo Y. Nagae
- Empresa Seara Alimentos, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Hakansson F, Houe H. Risk factors associated with tail damage in conventional non-docked pigs throughout the lactation and rearing period. Prev Vet Med 2020; 184:105160. [PMID: 33011560 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tail biting is an abnormal behaviour in pigs, and remains an economic and welfare problem in modern pig production. Reasons for performing tail-biting behaviour are of multifactorial origin, and are often related to the current environment or internal characteristics of pigs. The objective of the present study was to identify early life risk factors connected to tail damage in non-docked pigs in a commercial Danish piggery, and to further compare the effects of cumulative cross-life experience throughout the early rearing. In an observational study, 741 piglets from 51 sows born in six batches were individually marked at birth and followed until nine weeks of age. Litter related variables and individual piglet characteristics were collected during lactation. The pigs' performance parameters were recorded from birth to nine weeks of age. The association between putative risk factors and tail damage assessed at different stages during lactation and rearing was analysed using multinomial mixed regression models. Prior to weaning, the odds of having tail damage were higher for piglets originating from litters with a high birth weight variation (P = 0.012) and for piglets that were heavier at weaning (P < 0.001). Piglets born to an aggressive sow had 2.7-fold increased odds of having tail damage (P = 0.003), while piglets of sows treated after farrowing had a lower odds (P = 0.015). Post-weaning, the most significant risk factor(s) associated with tail damage was the previous tail status of the pigs. Pigs with bite marks/ scratches in previous assessments had an on average 4-fold and pigs with a tail wound 11-fold increased odds of having tail damage during subsequent assessments. Similarly, pigs with a tail wound pre-weaning had 7-times higher odds of having tail damage at the end of rearing (P = 0.033). Pigs in groups with a higher weight variation (P = 0.030) and pigs with a greater weight gain (P < 0.001) had higher odds of having tail damage at the end of rearing. There was an increased chance of having tail damage post-weaning for piglets that were cross-fostered (P = 0.032) or that had a clinical impairment (P = 0.047) during lactation. Females generally had a lower chance of having tail damage compared to castrated males. Early life risk factors were especially associated with tail damage in pigs pre-weaning. However, the results of this study suggest that early life risk factors are secondary to the previous tail status of pigs as risk factors for later tail damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hakansson
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Hans Houe
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
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Omics Application in Animal Science-A Special Emphasis on Stress Response and Damaging Behaviour in Pigs. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11080920. [PMID: 32796712 PMCID: PMC7464449 DOI: 10.3390/genes11080920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing stress resilience of livestock is important for ethical and profitable meat and dairy production. Susceptibility to stress can entail damaging behaviours, a common problem in pig production. Breeding animals with increased stress resilience is difficult for various reasons. First, studies on neuroendocrine and behavioural stress responses in farm animals are scarce, as it is difficult to record adequate phenotypes under field conditions. Second, damaging behaviours and stress susceptibility are complex traits, and their biology is not yet well understood. Dissecting complex traits into biologically better defined, heritable and easily measurable proxy traits and developing biomarkers will facilitate recording these traits in large numbers. High-throughput molecular technologies (“omics”) study the entirety of molecules and their interactions in a single analysis step. They can help to decipher the contributions of different physiological systems and identify candidate molecules that are representative of different physiological pathways. Here, we provide a general overview of different omics approaches and we give examples of how these techniques could be applied to discover biomarkers. We discuss the genetic dissection of the stress response by different omics techniques and we provide examples and outline potential applications of omics tools to understand and prevent outbreaks of damaging behaviours.
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Czycholl I, Hauschild E, Büttner K, Krugmann K, Burfeind O, Krieter J. Tail and ear postures of growing pigs in two different housing conditions. Behav Processes 2020; 176:104138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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On-Farm Welfare Assessment Protocol for Suckling Piglets: A Pilot Study. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10061016. [PMID: 32532111 PMCID: PMC7341312 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Piglets experience welfare issues during the nursery phase. This pilot study aimed to test a protocol for identifying the main welfare issues in suckling piglets and to investigate relationships among animal-based indicators and management conditions. Litters (n = 134), composed of undocked and tail-docked piglets, were assessed at two farms. After birth, observations were made at the age of 7 days and 20 days. At each observation, housing conditions (HCs) were measured, and 13 animal-based indicators, modified from Welfare Quality, Classyfarm, Assurewel and others introduced ex novo, were recorded. A generalized linear mixed model was used, considering animal-based indicators as dependent variables and farm, piglets' age, tail docking and HCs as independent variables. The main welfare issues were lesions of the limb (32.6%) and the front area of the body (22.8%), a poor body condition score (BCS) (16.1%), ear lesions (15.5%), and tail lesions (9.7%). Negative social behaviour (e.g., fighting and biting) represented 7.0% of the active behaviour, with tail biting observed in 8.7% of the piglets. While lesions on the front areas of the body were mostly associated with the farm, tail lesions, low BCS, tear staining, and diarrhoea were associated with light and nest temperature (p < 0.05). In particular, tail biting increased with scarce light (p = 0.007). Tail docking did not influence any animal-based indicator except for tear staining which was higher in the tail-docked as compared to the undocked piglets (p = 0.05), increasing awareness on this practice as a source of negative emotion in piglets. The protocol tested may be a promising tool for assessing on-farm piglets' welfare.
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Luo L, Reimert I, Middelkoop A, Kemp B, Bolhuis JE. Effects of Early and Current Environmental Enrichment on Behavior and Growth in Pigs. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:268. [PMID: 32582773 PMCID: PMC7287207 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Enriched environments are known to beneficially affect the behavior of pigs, as compared with barren pens. The influence of enrichment may, however, depend on pigs' early life housing experiences. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of early and later life environmental enrichment on behavior and growth in pigs with different coping styles. Pigs were housed in either barren pens or in larger pens enriched with rooting substrates from birth, and half of them experienced a housing switch, i.e., a loss or gain of enrichment, at 7 weeks of age, creating four treatment groups. Home pen behavior and body weight were recorded until 19 weeks of age. Pigs were classified as reactive or proactive based on a backtest at 2 weeks of age. Enrichment increased time spent exploring, chewing, and play and decreased oral manipulation of penmates and pen-directed exploring and chewing. Behavior of pigs that switched from barren to enriched pens or vice versa reflected not only their actual environment, but also their early life housing. As early and later life enrichment affected most behaviors in opposite directions, effects of enrichment, or lack thereof, after the switch were more pronounced in pigs that had experienced a different early life condition. For instance, pigs experiencing an upgrade from barren to enriched pens seemed to "catch-up" by showing more exploration and play. Conversely, pigs exposed to a downgrade displayed more oral manipulation of penmates than ones kept barren throughout, which particularly held for pigs with a reactive coping style. Effects of early life and current housing on several other behaviors depended on coping style too. Pigs housed in enriched conditions appeared better able to cope with weaning than barren housed pigs, as they gained more weight and had higher feed intake post-weaning. Barren housed pigs had a lower body weight than enriched pigs just before the switch, after which growth was mainly determined by actual housing, with enriched kept pigs having a higher feed intake and body weight. Thus, not only current housing conditions, but also a (mis)match with the early life environment may affect behavior and growth of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Luo
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Inonge Reimert
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Anouschka Middelkoop
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Bas Kemp
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - J Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
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46
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Abstract
Tail-biting occurs pre-weaning, but literature on tail damage during lactation and on the development of damage over time is sparse, especially for non-docked piglets. We assessed the prevalence of tail damage in non-docked piglets in a commercial Danish piggery during the lactation and weaning period, and investigated the within-animal association of tail lesions pre- and post-weaning. Non-docked piglets (n = 741) from 51 loose-housed sows were individually marked and tracked from birth to 9 weeks (w9) of age. Tail damage was scored during lactation at w1 and w4, and once a week post-weaning (average weaning age 30 days) at w6 to w9. The within-animal association of tail damage before and after weaning was investigated at pig level using generalized mixed models. Tail damage was prevalent already pre-weaning. During the lactation period, the prevalence of tail lesions was 5% at w1 and 42% at w4, with the most prevalent score being 'superficial damages' (66.7%, score 1; pre-weaning scheme: 0 = no damage, 3 = tail wound). Post-weaning, 45% of pigs had a tail lesion at least once over the four assessments, with 16.7% of pigs having a tail lesion at least at two assessments. The majority of lesions were 'minor scratches' (34.2%, score 1; post-weaning scheme: 0 = no damage, 4 = wound - necrotic tail end) and a 'scabbed wound' (19.9%, score 3). The number of pigs with lesions as well as wound severity increased over time. More pigs had a tail wound at w8 (15%, P < 0.001 and < 0.01) and w9 (19%, P < 0.001 and < 0.001) compared to w6 (2.7%) and w7 (5.6%). Pigs with tail lesions pre-weaning (w1: OR 3.0, 95% CI 0.9 to 10.2; w4: OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.8) had a significantly higher risk of having a wound post-weaning, and pigs with lesions at w4 additionally were at a higher risk (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.1) of having a lesion over several assessments. Females compared to castrated males had a significantly lower risk of having tail lesions at w1 (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8). Similarly, females were at a significantly lower risk (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.4 to 0.9) of having a wound post-weaning, and tended to have a lower risk of having lesions over several assessments (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.2). Our study confirmed that tail damage is prevalent already during the lactation period, and that pre-weaning tail damage is predictive of tail wounds post-weaning.
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47
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Teixeira DL, Boyle LA, Enríquez-Hidalgo D. Skin Temperature of Slaughter Pigs With Tail Lesions. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:198. [PMID: 32426377 PMCID: PMC7204508 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of tail lesion severity on skin temperature of slaughter pigs measured at the base of the tail and the ear by infrared thermography camera and to evaluate the association between the temperature measurements. Pigs were randomly selected in the lairage, containing ~200 pigs/pen. Tail lesions were scored according to severity, using a 0-4 scale. Tail lesion scores 0 and 1 were summed as it was difficult to distinguish healed lesions from mild lesions due to animal dirtiness. In total, 269 study pigs were imaged at the two locations. The effect of tail lesion score and sex of the pig on the highest temperature of the infrared image areas were analyzed using linear mixed models. Association between the tail base and ear base temperatures was evaluated using Pearson correlation. Skin temperature measured at the base of the tail was significantly lower for tails scored 0-1 than for all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05). Pigs with tail lesion scored 2 had significantly lower skin temperatures at the base of the tail than pigs with tail lesion scored 3 or 4 (P < 0.05) while there was no difference in skin temperature at the base of the tail between pigs with tail lesion scored 3 and 4 (P > 0.05). Skin temperature measured at the ear base was significantly lower for pigs with tail lesion scored 0-1 than pigs of all other tail lesion scores (P < 0.05) with no difference between the other scores (P > 0.05). Furthermore, there was an association between the two measurements (r = 0.50; P < 0.001). The findings suggest that even pigs with moderate tail lesions (score 2) may have general inflammation and infection, evidenced by the elevated systemic temperature compared to pigs with none or mild tail lesion (score 0-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayane Lemos Teixeira
- Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales (ICA3), Universidad de O'Higgins, San Fernando, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Daniel Enríquez-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford, United Kingdom
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48
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Prunier A, Averos X, Dimitrov I, Edwards SA, Hillmann E, Holinger M, Ilieski V, Leming R, Tallet C, Turner SP, Zupan M, Camerlink I. Review: Early life predisposing factors for biting in pigs. Animal 2020; 14:570-587. [PMID: 31436143 PMCID: PMC7026718 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119001940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The pig industry faces many animal welfare issues. Among these, biting behaviour has a high incidence. It is indicative of an existing problem in biters and is a source of physical damage and psychological stress for the victims. We categorize this behaviour into aggressive and non-aggressive biting, the latter often being directed towards the tail. This review focusses specifically on predisposing factors in early life, comprising the prenatal and postnatal periods up to weaning, for the expression of aggressive and non-aggressive biting later in life. The influence of personality and coping style has been examined in a few studies. It varies according to these studies and, thus, further evaluation is needed. Regarding the effect of environmental factors, the number of scientific papers is low (less than five papers for most factors). No clear influence of prenatal factors has been identified to date. Aggressive biting is reduced by undernutrition, cross-fostering and socialization before weaning. Non-aggressive biting is increased by undernutrition, social stress due to competition and cross-fostering. These latter three factors are highly dependent on litter size at birth. The use of familiar odours may contribute to reducing biting when pigs are moved from one environment to another by alleviating the level of stress associated with novelty. Even though the current environment in which pigs are expressing biting behaviours is of major importance, the pre-weaning environment should be optimized to reduce the likelihood of this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Prunier
- INRA, PEGASE, Agrocampus-Ouest, Saint Gilles 35590, France
| | - X. Averos
- Department of Animal Production, Neiker-Tecnalia Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Vitoria-Gasteiz 01080, Spain
| | - I. Dimitrov
- Agricultural Institute, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria
| | - S. A. Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - E. Hillmann
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - M. Holinger
- ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - V. Ilieski
- University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Skopje 1000, Republic of North Macedonia
| | - R. Leming
- Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Tartu 51014, Estonia
| | - C. Tallet
- INRA, PEGASE, Agrocampus-Ouest, Saint Gilles 35590, France
| | - S. P. Turner
- SRUC, Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - M. Zupan
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Domžale 1230, Slovenia
| | - I. Camerlink
- University of Veterinary Medicine (Vetmeduni) Vienna, Institute of Animal Welfare Science, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna 1210, Austria
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49
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Haigh A, O'Driscoll K. Irish pig farmer's perceptions and experiences of tail and ear biting. Porcine Health Manag 2019; 5:30. [PMID: 31890254 PMCID: PMC6918573 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-019-0135-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal behaviours such as ear and tail biting of pigs is of significant welfare and economic concern. Currently, pig welfare legislation is under renewed focus by the EU commission and is likely to be enforced more thoroughly. The legislation prohibits routine tail docking and requires adequate enrichment to be provided. In Ireland, tail-docking is still the most utilised control mechanism to combat tail biting, but biting is still widespread even in tail-docked pigs. In addition, as pig farms are almost all fully slatted, bedding type material cannot be provided. Thus, the opinions, and practices of farmers in countries like Ireland, which may need to make significant adaptations to typical pig management systems soon, need to be considered and addressed. We carried out a survey of pig farmers during 2015 in order to gain a greater understanding of the extent of biting on Irish farms, perception on the most important preventive measures, current enrichment use and actions following outbreaks. Fifty-eight farmers from 21 Counties responded with an average herd size of 710 ± 597 sows (range 90–3000 sows). Only two farms had experienced no biting in the last year. Of the farms that had experienced tail biting (88%), 86% had also experienced ear biting. The most common concerns relating to biting were condemnation and reduced productivity of bitten pigs with both receiving an average score of 4 (most serious). Ear biting occurred most commonly in the 2nd stage (approximately 47–81 days from weaning) weaner and tail biting in the finishing stage. The most important preventive measures were felt to be taking care of animal health, restricting density, maintaining an even quality of feed/content and maintaining good air movement. Sixty-five percent of respondents added additional enrichment following an outbreak. Chains were the most common form of enrichment currently used (83%). Those not using chains favoured wood, toys and rope (17%). Identification of the most effective and accessible control and prevention measures both for the animals and for the farming community is thus essential. Improved understanding of the concerns and practices of producers, which this survey contributes to, is a first step towards this aim.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Haigh
- 1Present address: School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Keelin O'Driscoll
- 2Pig Development Department, Centre for Grassland Research and Innovation, Teagasc, Fermoy, Co. Cork Ireland
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50
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Honeck A, Gertz M, grosse Beilage E, Krieter J. Comparison of different scoring keys for tail-biting in pigs to evaluate the importance of one common scoring key to improve the comparability of studies – A review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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