Pig flooring trial tests tail-biting prevention

A trial at the Crécom experimental station tested a new flooring system for pigs, combining partial solid flooring with daily flax shavings to reduce tail biting. The goal was to create a 30% solid area in each pen, encouraging pigs to keep their tails intact instead of biting them.

Tail-biting reduction in early stages

The trial found that 82% of pigs on the new system had no tail damage during the weaning phase, compared to 54% on traditional full flooring. However, this benefit decreased over time, with a smaller gap observed at the first departure phase.

Cleanliness challenges observed

Cleanliness remained a concern throughout the trial. In the weaning phase, maintaining the cleanliness of the solid area became difficult as the pigs grew and the area’s thermal benefits declined. Similar issues arose in the fattening phase, where the concrete flooring used as a resting area deteriorated with increased weight.

Improved growth rates noted

In the fattening phase, pigs on the partial flooring system had a higher growth rate, measured as 1,053 g/day compared to 982 g/day on full flooring. The reason for this improvement is unclear, but it may be linked to better comfort or more efficient use of space.

Environmental impact remains neutral

The trial found no significant difference in environmental performance between the two systems. Ammonia levels and gas emissions like nitrous oxide and methane were similar, likely due to frequent cleaning and the flat scraping system used for the pits.

Employee perspectives highlight pros and cons

Employees at the station reported that the new system provided good thermal comfort for pigs during weaning, with minimal cleaning needed. However, they noted ongoing challenges with cleanliness, especially in the fattening phase. Despite this, they expressed overall satisfaction with the system, particularly for managing pigs with long tails.

Costs and practical considerations

The trial used about 39 g/pig/day of flax shavings in weaning and 63.5 g/pig/day in fattening, costing around 0.61 €/pig and 3.12 €/pig respectively. While these costs reflect the trial conditions, more favorable pricing may be available in practice, depending on supply methods and quantities.

Expert caution on cleanliness

Claire Walbecque from the Brittany agricultural chamber highlighted the trial’s success in supporting intact tails but warned that cleanliness remains a major challenge with partial flooring. Future work will focus on optimizing pen design and management practices to maintain benefits while improving hygiene.

Flax shavings selected for specific benefits

Flax shavings were chosen for their short fibers, strong absorbency, and low dust content, making them more suitable than straw for this application. The trial was part of the BâtiPorc C4E project, led by Ifip and supported by the Casdar fund and regional agricultural chambers.