Multi-step tail biting outbreak intervention protocols for pigs housed on slatted floors

Solutions are needed to keep pigs under commercial conditions without tail biting outbreaks (TBOs). However, as TBOs are inevitable even in well managed farms, it is crucial to know how to manage TBOs when they occur. We evaluated the effectiveness of multi-step intervention protocols to control TBOs. Across 96 pens (1,248 undocked pigs) managed on fully-slatted floors, 40 TBOs were recorded (≥3 out of 12–14 pigs, with fresh tail wounds). When an outbreak was identified, either the biters or victims were removed or enrichment (3 ropes) was added. If the intervention failed, another intervention was randomly used until all 3 interventions had been deployed once. Fifty percent of TBOs were controlled after one intervention, 30% after 2–3 interventions, and 20% remained uncontrolled. A high proportion of biters/victims per pen reduced intervention success, more so than the type of intervention. When only one intervention was used, adding ropes was the fastest method to overcome TBOs. Removed biters and victims were successfully reintroduced within 14 days back to their home pens. In conclusion, 80% of TBO were successfully controlled, within on average 18.4 ± 1.7 days, using one or multiple cost-effective intervention strategies

Maturation-related adaptations in running speed in response to sprint training in youth soccer players

Objectives This study investigated the effects of a previously recommended dose of sprint training (ST) in young male soccer players of differing maturity status. Design Quasi-experimental design. Methods Male soccer players from two professional academies were divided into Pre-PHV (Training: n = 12; Control: n = 13) and Mid-PHV (Training: n = 7; Control = 10) groups. The training groups completed 16 sprints of 20 m with 90 seconds recovery, once per week. Results Between-group effect sizes (ES) were substantially larger in Pre-PHV (10 m [1.54, CI: 0.74 to 2.23]; 20 m [1.49, CI: 0.75 to 2.23]; 5-10-5 [0.92, CI: 0.23 to 1.61]) than in Mid-PHV (10 m [-0.00, CI: −0.81 to 0.81]; 20 m [-0.12, CI: −0.93 to 0.69]; 5-10-5 [-0.41, CI: −1.22 to 0.41]). Within-group effects demonstrated a similar, though less accentuated, trend which revealed ST to be effective in both Pre-PHV (10 m [0.44, CI: −0.24 to 1.12]; 20 m [0.45, CI: −0.23 to 1.13]; 5-10-5 [0.69, CI: 0.00 to 1.38]) and Mid-PHV (10 m [0.51, CI: −0.38 to 1.40]; 20 m [0.33, CI: −0.56 to 1.21]; 5-10-5 [0.43, CI: −0.46 to 1.32]). Conclusions ST, in the amount of 16 sprints over 20 m with a 90 s rest, may be more effective in Pre-PHV youths than in Mid-PHV youths

Application of a handheld Pressure Application Measurement device for the characterisation of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in intact pig tails

AbstractThe assessment of nociceptive thresholds is employed in animals and humans to evaluate changes in sensitivity potentially arising from tissue damage. Its application on the intact pig tail might represent a suitable method to assess changes in nociceptive thresholds arising from tail injury, such as tail docking or tail biting. The Pressure Application Measurement (PAM) device is used here for the first time on the tail of pigs to determine the reliability of the methods and to provide novel data on mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) associated with four different age groups (9, 17, 24 and 32weeks) and with proximity of the target region to the body of the animal. We recorded an overall acceptable level of intra-individual reliability, with mean values of CV ranging between 30.1 and 32.6%. Across all age groups, the first single measurement of MNT recorded at region 1 (proximal) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the following two. This was not observed at tail regions 2 and 3 (more distal). Age had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the mean thresholds of nociception with increasing age corresponding to higher thresholds. Furthermore, a significant effect of proximity of tail region to the body was observed (P<0.05), with MNT being higher in the proximal tail region in pigs of 9, 17 and 24weeks of age. There was also a significant positive correlation (P<0.05) between mechanical nociceptive thresholds and age/body size of the animals.To the best of our knowledge, no other investigation of tail nociceptive thresholds has been performed with the PAM device or alternative methods to obtain mechanical nociceptive thresholds in intact tails of pigs of different age/body size. The reliability of the data obtained with the PAM device support its use in the measurement of mechanical nociceptive threshold in pig tails. This methodological approach is possibly suitable for assessing changes in tail stump MNTs after tail injury caused by tail docking and biting

Use of different wood types as environmental enrichment to manage tail biting in docked pigs in a commercial fully-slatted system

Provision of adequate environmental enrichment on pig farms is a legal requirement under current EU legislation and also alleviates the risk of tail biting. Wood is an organic alternative where loose bedding, which has been identified as the optimal enrichment, is not possible on fully-slatted floors since it may disrupt the slurry system. The study compared four different wood types (beech (Fagus sylvatica), larch (Larix decidua), spruce (Picea sitchensis), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)) as enrichment, taking into account the qualities of the wood, economic considerations, and effectiveness at reducing damaging behaviours and lesions. A total of 800 tail docked finisher pigs on an Irish commercial farm were used. Eight pens were provided with each wood type (25 pigs/pen), and the study was conducted over 2 replicates in time. In each pen a single wooden post was presented to the pigs in a metal dispenser with two lateral chains during the finisher period (12 to 22 weeks of age). The rate of wear, moisture content, and hardness of the wood along with lesion scorings and behavioural observation on pigs were monitored. Spruce was consumed more quickly than other wood types in terms of weight loss and reduction in length (P&lt;0.001), resulting in a greater cost per pig. Pigs were observed interacting with the spruce more frequently than the other wood types (P&lt;0.05). Pigs also interacted with the wood more often than the chains in spruce allocated pens (P&lt;0.001). Overall the interaction with wood posts did not decline significantly across time. However, there was no difference in the frequency of harmful behaviours (tail/ear/flank-biting) observed between wood types, and also no difference in the effectiveness of the different types of wood in reducing tail or ear damage. There was a positive correlation between ear lesion and tear-staining scores (rp=0.286, P&lt;0.01), and between tail lesion and tail posture scores (rp=0.206, P&lt;0.05). Wood types did not affect visceral condemnation obtained in the slaughterhouse. Wood is a potentially suitable enrichment material, yet the wood species could influence its attractiveness to pigs

Characterization of short- and long-term mechanical sensitisation following surgical tail amputation in pigs

Commercial pigs are frequently exposed to tail mutilations in the form of preventive husbandry procedures (tail docking) or as a result of abnormal behaviour (tail biting). Although tissue and nerve injuries are well-described causes of pain hypersensitivity in humans and in rodent animal models, there is no information on the changes in local pain sensitivity induced by tail injuries in pigs. To determine the temporal profile of sensitisation, pigs were exposed to surgical tail resections and mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT) were measured in the acute (one week post-operatively) and in the long-term (either eight or sixteen weeks post-surgery) phase of recovery. The influence of the degree of amputation on MNTs was also evaluated by comparing three different tail-resection treatments (intact, ‘short tail’, ‘long tail’). A significant reduction in MNTs one week following surgery suggests the occurrence of acute sensitisation. Long-term hypersensitivity was also observed in tail-resected pigs at either two or four months following surgery. Tail amputation in pigs appears to evoke acute and sustained changes in peripheral mechanical sensitivity, which resemble features of neuropathic pain reported in humans and other species and provides new information on implications for the welfare of animals subjected to this type of injury