Tail biting is a major welfare and economic problem in pig production. Understanding its causes and implementing preventive measures is essential for improving conditions in commercial pig farming.
Tail biting represents a behavioral breakdown driven by environments that fail to meet pigs' behavioral needs. Pigs are highly motivated to root and forage; without appropriate substrates in barren indoor environments this motivation redirects onto pen-mates. Tail docking — removing the majority of the tail — reduces but does not eliminate biting and causes acute pain in itself. The EU mandate that docking should only occur where justified and after all other preventive measures have been tried is widely ignored in practice. Effective prevention requires addressing root causes: providing rooting materials, reducing stocking density, ensuring adequate ventilation, and managing nutritional deficiencies. Early detection systems including automated video monitoring are being developed to catch outbreaks before escalation. The most welfare-positive systems maintain intact tails successfully through good management.