scholarly journals A Review of the Effects of Non-Straw Enrichment on Tail Biting in Pigs

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Buijs ◽  
Ramon Muns
Keyword(s):  
Pig Production ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Tail Damage

Tail biting remains a common problem in pig production. As producers are reluctant to use straw to reduce this behaviour, we review studies on the effectiveness of other types of enrichment. Roughage, hessian sacks, compost, fresh wood, space dividers, rope, and providing new objects regularly can significantly reduce tail damage. These results should be interpreted with some caution, as often only one study per enrichment could be identified. No evidence was found that commonly applied enrichment objects (processed wood, plastic or metal) reduce tail biting significantly unless exchanged regularly, even though multiple studies per type of enrichment were identified. Many studies evaluated the duration of enrichment use, but few evaluated the manner of use. This hampers identification of combinations of enrichment that will satisfy the pig’s motivation to eat/smell, bite, root and change enrichments, which is suggested to reduce tail biting. New objects designed to satisfy specific motivations were shown to receive high levels of interaction, but their effectiveness at reducing tail damage remains unknown. More in-depth study of how pigs interact with non-straw enrichment, which motivations this satisfies and how this affects behaviour towards conspecifics, is necessary to optimize enrichment strategies. Optimization is necessary because ceasing tail docking in a way that improves pig welfare requires more effective enrichments than those described in this review, or alternatively, better control over other factors influencing tail biting.

scholarly journals Rearing Pigs with Intact Tails—Experiences and Practical Solutions in Sweden

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallgren ◽  
Lundeheim ◽  
Wallenbeck ◽  
Westin ◽  
Gunnarsson
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Density ◽  
Member States ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Council Directive ◽  
Experimental Findings ◽  
A Minor ◽  
The Impact

Tail biting is a common issue within commercial pig production. It is mainly an indicator of inadequate housing environment and results in reduced health welfare and production. To reduce the impact of tail biting, pigs are commonly tail docked, without pain relief, within the first week of life. EU Council Directive 2008/120/EC prohibits routine tail docking, but the practice is still widely used in many Member States. Sweden has banned tail docking since 1988 and all pigs have intact tails, yet tail biting is a minor problem. This paper summarises and synthesises experimental findings and practical expertise in production of undocked pigs in Sweden and describes solutions to facilitate a transition to producing pigs with intact tails within intensive pig production in the EU. Swedish pig housing conditions and management differ in many aspects from those in other EU Member States. Swedish experiences show that lower stocking density, provision of sufficient feeding space, no fully slatted flooring, strict maximum levels for noxious gases and regular provision of litter material are crucial for success when rearing pigs with intact tails. To prevent tail biting and to eliminate the need for tail docking, we strongly recommend that EU legislation should more clearly match the biological needs of pigs, as is done in Swedish legislation.

scholarly journals Factors influencing antibiotic prescribing in long-term care facilities: a qualitative in-depth study

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura W van Buul ◽  
Jenny T van der Steen ◽  
Sarah MMM Doncker ◽  
Wilco P Achterberg ◽  
François G Schellevis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Term Care ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Depth Study

scholarly journals Tranquillizing Effect of Passiflora incarnata Extract: Outcome on Behavioral and Physiological Indicators in Weaning Pigs with Intact Tails

Animals ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 203
Author(s):  
Grazia Pastorelli ◽  
Valentina Serra ◽  
Lauretta Turin ◽  
Veronica Redaelli ◽  
Fabio Luzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Diet ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Abnormal Behavior ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Weaning Pigs ◽  
Passiflora Incarnata ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Management Changes

Tail docking has been used in the pig industry to decrease the occurrence of tail biting behavior. This abnormal behavior has a multifactorial origin since it is a response to simultaneous environmental, nutritional and management changes. Given the calming properties of Passiflora incarnata, we hypothesized that dietary supplementation with the extract in weaned pigs could result in a modification of behavior and physiologic indicators linked to stress. Weaned piglets (n = 120, mean body weight 9.07 ± 2.30 kg) were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: control diet (CON) and CON supplemented with 1 kg/t of P. incarnata (PAS). The trial was 28 days long. The presence of skin lesions was assessed at d-1, d-10, d-19, and d-28, and saliva samples were collected for IgA and cortisol determinations at the same sampling times. Results showed the PAS group was characterized by equal growth performance as the CON group, fewer ear lesions (p < 0.05), less aggressive behavior (p < 0.001), higher enrichment exploration (p < 0.001) and lower cortisol levels (p < 0.01). Time effect was observed for tail lesions (p < 0.001) and behavioral observations (p < 0.001). Additional research is required to determine the effect of P. incarnata extract using a larger number of animals and longer period of supplementation when risks associated with tail biting are uncontrolled.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Utilization of Ultrasound Scan Services among Pregnant Mothers at Ndejje Health Center IV, Wakiso District

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Angella Nakimera
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Ultrasound Scan ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Study Results ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Pregnant Mothers

Abstract Background: A study was carried out to identify the factors influencing the utilization of ultrasound scan services among pregnant mothers at Ndejje Health Centre IV, Wakiso District. Methodology: The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional and it employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A sample size of 30 respondents was selected using a simple random sampling procedure. An interview guide was used to collect data. Results: The study revealed various factors influencing the utilization of ultrasound scan services among pregnant mothers. For example, although all 30 (100%) had ever heard about ultrasound scan services, most 20 (66.7%) had ever used ultrasound scan services once 10 (50%) and 12 (60%) used the services in the 3rd trimester due to factors including 20 (66.7%) of ultrasound scan services, 21 (70%) having fears about using ultrasound scan services including 14 (66.7%) fear that the scan would identify bad conditions on the baby, 18 (60%) lacked partner support. The study results also revealed that respondents faced various health facility factors which influenced the utilization of ultrasound scan services. For example, most 20 (66.7%) respondents reported that Ndejje Health Centre IV was not equipped to provide ultrasound scan services due to 12 (60%) frequent breakdown and poor maintenance of equipment which led to 18 (60%) ultrasound scan services not being readily available, 12 (60%) long waiting time to receive services as most waited more than 2 hours to receive services. Conclusion and recommendations: Respondents faced various and health facility-related factors which influenced their utilization of ultrasound scan services. The key recommendations included ready availability of services through regular and timely maintenance of equipment, improving efficiency, and reducing waiting time as well as improved health education of mothers about the importance of using the services.

The pig producer's perspective

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
J. Guise
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
The Uk

AbstractThis paper is designed to demonstrate that practical, applied research, which is popular with the farming community, is an important part of the decision-making process. Three recent or current projects are described in areas where strategic and basic science has made an important contribution to the debate but has not provided solutions. Confinement at farrowing, tail biting and fully slatted finishing systems are all areas of concern to producers and legislators alike and these concerns are not confined to the UK. The results of surveys of industrial practice have suggested that: (a) non-confined systems may perform as well as farrowing crates, (b) tail-docking appears an effective control measure for tail biting but more importantly, the relative influence of different management practices is measurable using the techniques described and could provide solutions to the tail-biting problem, and (c) experimental studies of finishing systems have produced ambivalent results and a new approach may be of value. The recent Scientific Veterinary Committee Report of the European Union is used extensively as the basis for the discussion.

Pig Meat Quality as Affected by Genetics and Production Systems

1995 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ellis ◽  
F.K. Mckeith
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Eating Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Pig Production ◽  
Pig Meat ◽  
On Farm ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Water Holding

The efficiency of pig production has increased considerably in recent years, but the improvement of meat quality has only recently begun to receive attention. Closer links between the producers and marketers of pigs are now resulting in a clearer understanding of the factors that lead to meat of high quality. Here, some of the major on-farm influences on meat quality are described, focussing on meat colour, water-holding capacity and eating quality.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Intention to Receive Examination of Diabetes Complications

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Lin Hsieh ◽  
Fang-Hsin Lee ◽  
Chien-Liang Chen ◽  
Ming-Fong Chang ◽  
Pei-Hsuan Han
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Complications ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
To Receive

Neuroleptic Dosing in Chronic Schizophrenia: A 10-Year Follow-up

1997 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary J Remington ◽  
Peter Prendergast ◽  
Kalyna Z Bezchlibnyk-Butler
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Data ◽  
Chronic Schizophrenia ◽  
Initial Evaluation ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Dosing Patterns

Objective: To evaluate neuroleptic dosing patterns in individuals with schizophrenia over a 10-year interval. Method: Changes in neuroleptic dosing between 1980 and 1990 were followed in 65 patients with a diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia. Results: According to more recent dosing guidelines, doses were already high at the time of initial evaluation, yet overall they continued to increase during the next decade of treatment for both males and females. Patients were almost equally divided, however, by those who underwent an increase (n = 33) and those whose dose remained stable (n = 4) or was decreased (n = 28). Conclusion: A considerable number of patients with schizophrenia appear to receive progressively higher neuroleptic doses over the course of their illness, despite a lack of empirical data to support such an approach. Results are discussed in terms of current dosing recommendations and factors influencing dose changes.

scholarly journals On-Farm Welfare Assessment Protocol for Suckling Piglets: A Pilot Study

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016
Author(s):  
Marika Vitali ◽  
Elena Santacroce ◽  
Federico Correa ◽  
Chiara Salvarani ◽  
Francesca Paola Maramotti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
The Body ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Tail Biting ◽  
Tail Docking ◽  
Suckling Piglets ◽  
On Farm

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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