Providing pigs with a new feed block and using an innovative tail spray have shown significant reductions in tail biting behaviour whilst helping to improve pig health.
Studies carried out by animal nutrition specialist Nettex have shown piglets that were given its new CalmBlock enrichment product were 12 percent less likely to tail bite.
“In a farm study, we split 12 pens with an average of 40 pigs per pen. Half were given CalmBlock and the other half acted as a control. The number of biting pigs that had to be removed was 3 per pen with CalmBlock, whilst the control was more than double with 7 per pen having to be removed,” says pig welfare and nutrition consultant, Dr Phil Baynes.
CalmBlock is a 20kg circular, pressed feed block, with a hole to provide a hanging option. The size and shape encourage pig’s natural curiosity which helps to relieve the stress and boredom that can lead to tail biting.
“Both Defra and Red Tractor have advocated the use of edible enrichment products to help provide pigs with a stimulus that has an added nutritional benefit. The result is less aggressive, happier, healthier pigs that exhibit fewer vice behaviours,” says Dr Baynes.
The nutritional benefits of CalmBlock include added iron to avoid anaemia. The product also contains Phytotec, a unique blend of plant extractions and yeast components with appetite- stimulating effects.
“For piglets, CalmBlock also provides additional magnesium to aid protein and energy metabolism, along with bone growth. Magnesium helps to control mood and sleep regulation providing increased serotonin and melatonin to pigs,” he adds.
Nettex has also released StopBite, a tail spray with a bitter taste that has sanitising properties and can help to dry minor wounds to enable faster skin healing.
“In pig units that have experienced tail biting, StopBite can help affected pigs to heal whilst also acting as a deterrent. It comes in a spray bottle so is easy to administer and has a bold violet colour to help identify the pigs that have been treated,” says Dr Baynes.
Having new products come to market that can help alleviate vice like behaviour, such as tail biting, is likely to be welcomed by UK farms.
“Pig stress, frustration and boredom is natural and won’t go away, but we can use products like this to reduce the detrimental effect it has on animal health and also take the opportunity to both enrich the diet and environment that pigs receive,” concludes Dr Baynes.
Calm Block – Nettex (net-tex.co.uk)
New pig enrichment block and tail spray shown to prevent tail biting – Pig World (pig-world.co.uk)
