Rearing Undocked Pigs on Fully Slatted Floors Using Multiple Types and Variations of Enrichment

Abstract

In fully slatted systems, tail biting is difficult to manage when pigs’ tails are not docked because loose enrichment material can obstruct slurry systems. This pilot study sought to determine: a) whether intact-tailed pigs can be reared with a manageable level of tail biting by using multiple slat-compatible enrichment; b) whether a variation of enrichment has an effect; and c) whether pigs show a preference in enrichment use. Ninety-six undocked pigs were given the same enrichment items from one week after birth until weaning. At weaning, four different combinations of 8 enrichment items were utilized based on predefined characteristics. These were randomly assigned to 8 pens (n = 12 pigs/pen). Four pens had the same combination (SAME) from assignment and four pens switched combinations every two weeks (SWITCH). Individual lesion scores, interactions with the enrichment, and harmful behaviours were recorded. The average tail score during the experiment was low (0.93 ± 0.02). Only one pig in a SAME pen had a severely bitten tail (partly amputated). The overall level of interaction with enrichment did not decline over time. Pigs interacted with a rack of loose material most frequently (p < 0.001). The study showed promising results for rearing undocked pigs on fully slatted floors using slat-compatible enrichment.

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?

“…Despite the numerous tail biting outbreaks recorded, overall tail lesion scores in the current experiment were lower than expected. In fact they were lower than those recorded in another study with undocked pigs, which recorded no tail biting outbreak [ 36 ]. The low tail lesion scores are likely due to the timing of the scoring: pigs were scored every 2 weeks, and based on the experimenter’s experience, tail lesions tend to heal quickly.…”

“…Nevertheless, the overall impact of tail biting in this study was severe, and the effectiveness of either of these single-point enrichment items was marginal. To our knowledge, no study to date has yet demonstrated the possibility of managing tail biting in undocked pigs without loose rooting materials provided on the floor or via dispensers [ 36 ]. Frustration from the inability to satisfy the natural motivation to explore and forage due to inadequate materials is a major cause of tail biting in pigs [ 37 , 38 ].…”

A High Enrichment Replenishment Rate Reduces Damaging Behaviors and Increases Growth Rate in Undocked Pigs Kept in Fully Slatted Pens

“…These were selected so that they were appropriate to the pigs' age in the weaner and finisher stages. In a previous study (13), a variety of enrichment materials were used for undocked pigs housed on fully slatted floors, and resulted in no tail biting outbreaks, and low levels of tail damage. The most used and sustainable materials in that study (13) were chosen for this study.…”

“…Provision of loose bedding materials such as straw satisfies these criteria and is considered effective in reducing tail biting (7)(8)(9), but on fully slatted floors straw can block slurry removal systems (10). Many studies have investigated alternative ways of supplying loose materials that are compatible with slatted floors: in elevated fittings (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), as a compressed form in solid blocks (16,17), or in floor feeders (18). However, simply providing loose materials in a fixed location for pigs to interact with has not been as effective in reducing tail biting in undocked pigs as provision of material on the pen floor (14,18); what is more effective when managing tail biting in undocked pigs, is combining the provision of loose materials in a smaller quantity with other point-source enrichment items (13,19).…”

“…This study employed a 2 × 3 design to compare enrichment strategies: pre-weaning exposure to environmental enrichment or not, and three enrichment replenishment rates postweaning. All enrichment materials used from farrow to finish were compatible with fully slatted systems and, based on a previous study, were shown to be biologically relevant to satisfy pigs' explorative behaviors (13). It was hypothesized that early exposure to an enriched environment and a high enrichment replenishment rate would reduce tail biting behavior and tail lesions.…”