Effects of environmental enrichment on the welfare of pigs raised under Brazilian commercial conditions with the final third of the tail docked

IF 2.6 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE

Applied Animal Behaviour Science Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-06 DOI:10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106865

Ribas. J.C.R. , Grajales-Cedeño J.K , Ribeiro. W , Pertile G , Paranhos da Costa M.J.R

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Abstract

Efforts have been made to reduce tail docking in pigs and increase tail length. However, insufficient knowledge is available on the effect of short docking under tropical conditions. This study aimed to assess whether it is possible to raise pigs with only the final part of the tail docked under Brazilian commercial conditions using simple environmental enrichment strategies. A total of 880 pigs of the synthetic Pietran line were randomly assigned to two treatments: NEE = control, no environmental enrichment (n = 439), and WEE = with environmental enrichment (n = 441). All piglets had the final third of their tails docked on the second day of life. Branched chains and sisal ropes were used for environmental enrichment analysis. Behavioral, health, and performance indicators were recorded during the nursery and rearing/finishing phases of the experiment. A contingency plan was implemented when a tail biting outbreak occurred. A higher percentage of pigs preferred to interact with sisal ropes than with branched chains in both phases (p < 0.05). NEE pigs showed a tendency (p = 0.08) towards a higher occurrence of tail-biting during the nursery phase, leading to severe injuries. No WEE pigs exhibited severe injuries from tail biting. The contingency plan was implemented only in the NEE pens during both the nursery and rearing/finishing phases (19.05 % and 52.0 %, respectively). The selection rate of animals suitable for reproduction, final body weight, and average daily weight gain did not differ among the treatments (P > 0.05). We conclude that enriching the pen during the nursery and rearing/finishing phases has beneficial effects on the welfare of pigs raised under Brazilian commercial conditions with the final third of the tail removed.

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环境富集对巴西商业条件下尾尾截尾猪福利的影响

已努力减少猪尾对接，增加尾长。然而，关于热带条件下短时间对接的影响的知识还不充分。本研究旨在评估在巴西商业条件下，使用简单的环境富集策略，是否有可能饲养只截尾的猪。将880头合成Pietran系猪随机分为两个处理：NEE = 对照组，不进行环境富集（n = 439），WEE = 进行环境富集（n = 441）。所有的小猪在出生的第二天都拔掉了最后三分之一的尾巴。支链和剑麻绳用于环境富集分析。在实验的苗圃和饲养/育肥阶段记录行为、健康和性能指标。当发生咬尾事件时，实施了应急计划。在两个阶段，更倾向于使用剑麻绳的猪比例高于使用支链的猪比例（p <； 0.05）。NEE猪在苗期咬尾的发生率较高（p = 0.08），导致严重伤害。没有猪尾咬伤造成严重伤害。应急计划仅在NEE猪圈的苗圃和饲养/育肥阶段实施（分别为19.05 %和52.0% %）。适宜繁殖动物的选择率、最终体重和平均日增重在各处理间无显著差异（P >； 0.05）。我们得出的结论是，在苗期和饲养/育肥期对猪舍进行强化，对在巴西商业条件下饲养的去除尾巴最后三分之一的猪的福利有有益影响。

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来源期刊

Applied Animal Behaviour Science 农林科学-行为科学

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

21.70%

发文量

191

审稿时长

18.1 weeks

期刊介绍： This journal publishes relevant information on the behaviour of domesticated and utilized animals. Topics covered include: -Behaviour of farm, zoo and laboratory animals in relation to animal management and welfare -Behaviour of companion animals in relation to behavioural problems, for example, in relation to the training of dogs for different purposes, in relation to behavioural problems -Studies of the behaviour of wild animals when these studies are relevant from an applied perspective, for example in relation to wildlife management, pest management or nature conservation -Methodological studies within relevant fields The principal subjects are farm, companion and laboratory animals, including, of course, poultry. The journal also deals with the following animal subjects: -Those involved in any farming system, e.g. deer, rabbits and fur-bearing animals -Those in ANY form of confinement, e.g. zoos, safari parks and other forms of display -Feral animals, and any animal species which impinge on farming operations, e.g. as causes of loss or damage -Species used for hunting, recreation etc. may also be considered as acceptable subjects in some instances -Laboratory animals, if the material relates to their behavioural requirements