The grower-finisher phase represents the majority of a commercial pig's life, yet welfare research and industry focus often concentrates on farrowing and weaning.
The grower-finisher phase is where commercial pigs spend the majority of their lives, yet welfare investment and research has historically concentrated on farrowing and early weaning. Tail biting in this phase is widespread and represents a serious welfare failure — it causes pain, creates entry points for infection, and in severe cases leads to rectal prolapse. The root causes are multifactorial: insufficient enrichment, high stocking density, competition for resources, and genetics. Addressing tail biting requires a whole-system approach: appropriate enrichment that satisfies rooting and exploration drives, adequate feeder and drinker space, appropriate stocking density, and monitoring for early signs of outbreak. Routine tail docking is a response to poor systems rather than a solution to the underlying problem.