What is the best time to dock piglets' tails?

Pigs have a very bad habit of liking to bite objects that are easily reached by their mouths, so when pigs are raised in groups, everyone will find that the pigs' tails are all removed, otherwise they are very easily bitten off by other pigs. So, when is the best time for piglet tail docking?

1. The best time for piglet tail docking

The best time for piglet tail docking is at one week of age after birth. After tail docking, piglets save feed, increase daily weight gain, reduce the probability of tail-biting syndrome and mortality, and can improve carcass quality.

2. Piglet tail docking methods

1. Cautery tail docking method. Hold the piglet sideways with its belly downward, standing on its side, press the piglet's rump tightly against the pen wall, the operator stands in the aisle, and with the left hand pulls the base of the piglet's tail straight. With the right hand, hold a fully preheated 250W bent-tip electric soldering iron at a point 2.5 cm from the base of the tail and press down with slight force. As it is cauterized, the tail is instantly cut off.

2. Blunt pliers clamping tail docking method. When the piglet is nursing or drinking water, the operator lifts the tail with the left hand. With the right hand, use blunt steel wire pliers at a point 2.5 cm from the base of the tail. Clamp twice in succession. The distance between the two clamps is 0.3—0.5 cm. After 5-7 days, the tailbone tissue stops growing due to damage and dries up and falls off.

3. Beef tendon rope tight-binding method. 7—14 days after the piglet is born, use beef tendon thread soaked for several days, dip it in disinfectant, then bind it tightly at a point 2.5 cm from the base of the tail, and after 7-12 days it falls off on its own, achieving the purpose of tail docking. This method is simple to operate and has no infection at all.

4. Cutting method. When docking the tail, secure the piglet well, disinfect the surgical area, then use disinfected scissors to directly cut off the tail at a point 2.5 cm from the base of the tail. Then rinse with clean water and apply iodine tincture or a hemostatic agent.