09:00-9:05 Brief introduction to the Action and meeting, Action Chair Andrew M. Janczak
09:05-9:10 Introduction from the organiser, Sezen Ozkan
09:15-9:45 Challenges and possible solutions related to damaging behaviour in laying hens, Mia Fernyhough, RSPCA
09:50-10:20 Research on risk factors and prevention of damaging behaviour in laying hens, Elske de Haas, WUR
10:20-10:45 Break
10:50-11:20 Tail biting and actions to prevent tail biting in the EU, Copa Cogeca, Miguel
Angel Higuera, Director ANPROGAPOR, Madrid
11:25-11:55 European Commission project to reduce systematic tail-docking of piglets in
Member States, Desmond Maguire, European Commission, DG Health and Food Safety
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Pigs and poultry are by far the most omnivorous of the domesticated farm animals and it is in their nature to be highly explorative. In the barren production environments, this motivation to explore can be expressed as abnormal oral manipulation directed toward pen mates. Tail biting (TB) in pigs and feather pecking (FP) in laying hens are examples of unwanted behaviors that are detrimental to the welfare of the animals. The aim of this review is to draw these two seemingly similar abnormalities together in a common framework, in order to seek underlying mechanisms and principles. Both TB and FP are affected by the physical and social environment, but not all individuals in a group express these behaviors and individual genetic and neurobiological characteristics play an important role. By synthesizing what is known about environmental and individual influences, we suggest a novel possible mechanism, common for pigs and poultry, involving the brain–gut–microbiota axis.
This post illustrates the so-called branched chain design. This is an improved type of chain that seems most suited as a starting point towards providing proper enrichment (as required by e.g. EU legislation) for conventional, intensively-farmed pigs. However, also pigs on straw may benefit from such chains. Below the description of the branched chain design you can find some pictures and video clips of branched, anchor-type chains for pigs (conventionally-housed weaners and growing fattening pigs, and gilts kept on straw).
Specification of the branched chain design
1: Object-design: A branched chain consists of a vertically-positioned long chain with its end resting on the solid floor over a distance of 20 cm. Two or three additional chain ends (branches) end at or slightly below the nose height of the smallest and middle-sized pigs reared in the pen.
2: Material: The chains are stainless-steel anchor chains (for at least the last 5-10 links of each chain end). Recommended dimensions are 7mm for growing-fattening pigs, 5-6 mm for weaners, 4-5 mm for piglets and 8 mm for sows.
Anchor chains have links which are more round and heavier than the cheaper, more oval-shaped c-chains. Note that the indicated sizes refer to the diameter of the metal, not the diameter of the links. For example, a 7 mm anchor chain for finishers has links measuring 36×23 mm. Preferably various chain sizes should be provided in the pen, esp. when the pen may contain pigs of variable sizes (e.g. from 25 to >100 kg). Stainless-steel anchor chains are more expensive, but only the last 5 or so links need to be replaced when worn e.g. every 5 – 10 years.
3: Availability and placement: One branched chain is provided for every 5 pigs.The chains are spaced apart as much as possible, preferably with at least one pig length between 2 branched chains in a pig pen. The branched chains are attached at the top end of the pen wall, over the solid floor, and not in the dunging area.
Short chain and ball. Note the bite marks on the ball. The ball is hanging on a c-chain (oval shaped). The short chain resembles an anchor chain but isn’t (links not massive enough).
Short chain, ball and branched chain made of suboptimal c-chain links. This type of branched chain uses only 1 fixation point (reducing costs).
Branched anchor-type chain with 3 branches. Only top left branch is made of c-chain in order to ‘test’ pig preferences for the anchor-type chains (top right branch).
Four stainless-steel anchor chains. Two middle chains are worn by long-term use (5-10 years). Outer chains show original shape.
Branched chain provided to weaned piglets
Occasionally a pig will be reaching up. But normally they show downward-directed behaviour.
Branched chain for fatteners
Most manipulation of the branched chains is floor directed. Both rooting and biting/chewing/playing.
Floor directed ‘rooting’.
The pig’s nose really ‘fits’ a floor-directed orientation.
Also some more horizontal chewing
Sometimes more pigs are interested in the same thing.
Side-way chewing (fits into cheek fold for canine teeth).
Taking a whole branch (10 links) into the mouth.
Three pigs all at once.
Some occasional pulling.
Empty straw-bricket container. The floor plate may be used to keep a chain from getting stuck in the slats and/or repair when the floor below the branched chain gets worn.
Gilt in a straw pen next to a branched chain between the lying area (front) and dunging area in the back of the pen.
Floor-directed chain manipulation may be labelled ‘rooting’ …
…not just because there is also some straw…
…it resembles stone chewing seen in outdoor sows.
A second branched chain in the same pen containing four gilts.
Grabbing the chain horizontally, showing the cheek fold.
A branched chain in another pen containing two gilts on straw.
Floor directed behaviour
Biting the chain occasionally.
Fixation of the floor chain using the right front leg. True ‘manipulation’ (as manus in Latin means ‘hand’).
Branched chain worn temporarily as an ‘ear ornament’.
Two gilts playing with the branched chain at the same time.
Anchor-chain links worn (right) by pig manipulation.
These pictures may be used for non-commercial purposes & publications provided copy-rights (MB) are acknowledged.
The video clips below show the pigs in action.
This video shows that a hockey-type ball may be frustrating for pigs, and that the branched chain design is much more appreciated, even by organic pigs.