Scoring tail damage in pigs: an evaluation based on recordings at Swedish slaughterhouses

Abstract

Conclusions: While the current method to record tail damage in Sweden was found to be reliable as a method to identify problem farms, it clearly underestimates the actual prevalence of tail damage. For monitoring and benchmarking purposes, both in Sweden and internationally, we propose that a three graded scale including both old and new tail damage would be more appropriate. The scale consists of one class for no tail damage, one for mild tail damage (injured or shortened tail with more than half of the tail remaining) and one for severe tail damage (half or less of the tail remaining).

Keywords

Swine; Animal welfare; Welfare assessment; Tail biting; Slaughter

Published in

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica
2012, volume: 54, article number: 32
Publisher: BIOMED CENTRAL LTD

SLU Authors

• Keeling, Linda

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Wallenbeck, Anna

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Larsen, Anne

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Centre of Excellence in Animal Welfare Science

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Breeding
Agricultural Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-54-32

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/42510