Tail posture and motion in relation to natural behaviour in juvenile and adult pigs

• Published in: Animal (Cambridge, England) England), 2022-04, Vol.16 (4), p.100489-100489, Article 100489
• Main Authors: Iglesias, P.M., Camerlink, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Welfare; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Bites and Stings - veterinary; Ethogram; Farms; Female; Free-range; Male; Pig behaviour; Posture; Sus scrofa; Swine; Swine Diseases; Tail; Tail movement
• ISSN: 1751-7311; 1751-732X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100489

•We studied the relationship between free-range pigs’ tail and their behaviour.•Tails were held in full curl (30%), half curl (30%) or actively hanging (35%)•A full curl tail occurred most during locomotion.•During behaviours regarded as positive, the tail was most in an active hanging pose.•A distinction between subtle tail postures is recommended for behaviour studies. The tail of pigs has been suggested as a welfare indicator as it can provide insight into a pig’s behavioural and emotional states. Tail posture and motion have so far mainly been studied in the context of tail biting behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pigs’ natural behaviour and their tail posture and tail motion. This was studied in a free-range farm in which tail biting is absent. In total 214 pigs of different age categories were observed individually (sows, gilts, boars, and 6-month old pigs) or by group (6-month and 1-year old pigs) for their tail posture, tail motion and behaviour, using live observations and videos obtained by drone. Results showed that a fully curled tail occurred most during locomotion (P