Tail biting is a serious welfare problem in intensive pig production causing pain and infection; addressing the underlying causes is more effective than routine tail docking.
Tail biting reflects a welfare failure in the housing system rather than a problem inherent to pigs. Pigs whose behavioral needs are unmet redirect frustrated investigatory behavior toward pen mates. Once started, tail biting can spread through a pen as a social behavior and escalate to severe injuries. The regulatory response of tail docking removes the target without addressing the cause, while itself causing acute pain in neonatal piglets. Addressing tail biting through enrichment provision, optimal stocking density, adequate nutrition, and good health management solves the welfare problem at its source.