Feeding of Undocked Pigs: Effects of Feed Components and Feed Composition

Tail biting is a widespread problem in pig production worldwide and a major cause of reduced welfare in pigs. To prevent this harmful behavior, it is a common practice to optimize husbandry and enrich the environment with organic materials. Fiber-rich materials such as straw, hay, or alfalfa reduce tail biting. These observations were also made for swine inflammation and necrosis syndrome (SINS), which causes acral necrosis and increase the risk for tail biting. A supplementation of the diet with straw and hay significantly reduced systemic inflammation in pigs. Organic materials and feed components play an important role in preventing tail biting and SINS. Gut health in particular is influenced by diet and its components. Different effects of nutritional ingredients could disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota, damage the intestinal barrier and results in leaky gut and systemic inflammation. This inflammatory response can induce SINS and behavioral changes. The aim of this literature review is to summarize current knowledge on the effects of feeding and gut health on the occurrence of tail biting and SINS in pigs and to derive possible measures for prevention.