How are the causes of pig biting diagnosed and analyzed?

During pig farming, the phenomenon of pig herd biting (including tail biting) often occurs, especially in lean-type pig herds with fast growth rates where feeding management cannot keep up; wounds become inflamed and ulcerated, affecting pig production and causing great economic losses. Here, the causes of pig herd biting and the solutions are briefly discussed for reference.

1 Causes of pig herd biting

1.1 High stocking density (piglets >3 heads/m2), narrow troughs, frequent conflicts from mutual contact.

1.2 Large group in a single pen (>10 heads/pen), large individual differences.

1.3 Pigs on restricted feeding are not full, feed amount is insufficient; insufficient drinking water, pigs are thirsty.

1.4 Strange pigs suddenly entering the herd, such as when merging groups or pigs jumping in from adjacent pens.

1.5 Short sleeping and feeding time, long activity time; strong light, monotonous environment (uniformly bare concrete floor and walls).

1.6 The air in the pig house is foul, temperature and humidity are relatively high, airflow is poor; the pig house is damp, with filthy manure.

1.7 A certain pig in the pen has an external wound that is bleeding or suffers from some physiological disease (such as sudden high fever) and gives off an unusual odor; pigs have a keen sense of smell, and biting occurs.

1.8 Long-term medication, especially the long-term addition of alcohol and furazolidone (now banned), is also one of the causes.

1.9 Feeding moldy, spoiled feed, or feed that is not fresh.

1.10 Caused by genetic factors, sudden climate changes, or sudden feed changes and other stress factors.

From the above, it can be seen that when pig herd biting occurs, apart from factors of nutritional imbalance, defects in feeding management are the most important factor.

2 To prevent pig biting, the key is still to start with management, and specifically do the following:

2.1 Tail docking (2 days after birth) is an important means of preventing biting, though of course this does not mean there will be no biting after tail docking).

2.2 When biting occurs, drive the pigs away promptly; if that really does not work, the bitten pig can only be moved to an empty pen.

2.3 Improve the environment of the pig pens and pigsties, remove stress, and strengthen feeding management.

2.4 Place old tires (bicycle and motorcycle outer tires) in the pen to divert the pigs' attention and satisfy their playful nature.

2.5 The bitten pig can be rubbed with irritant medicinal liquid (such as gentian violet, etc.).

2.6 When merging groups or moving pigs to another pen, first, it is best to choose nighttime; second, it is best to spray alcohol or use similar methods.