Abstract
Piglets often undergo several painful treatments during the initial days of their lives. In this review, we investigate the acute (i.e., immediate), short-, and long-term implications of piglet processing on behavioral, physiological, clinical, and performance parameters, and how welfare impairments depend on performance instead of sham procedure, alternative techniques, or the age of the piglets. Welfare indicators that have been used to determine the least distressing procedures and knowledge gaps with regard to the procedures are identified and discussed. Tail docking and especially piglet castration have been the most researched topics, whereas marking for identification has been rarely addressed. Few or no studies have investigated the effects of teeth resection and tail docking on piglets of different age groups. Additionally, results are often found to be inconsistent, highlighting the need for additional research to determine the optimal age for processing. Studies comparing different processing techniques have produced contradictory results, but ear notching, teeth clipping, hot cautery tail docking, and tearing during castration have been determined to result in increased pain. Generally, a shorter procedure duration can reduce stress, with operator training having a distinct impact on piglet welfare during processing. As such, these topics should be further investigated.
Highlights
Piglets have to undergo several treatments in the first days of life, collectively referred to as “piglet processing” [1,2,3]
Apart from the legally required marking for identification, piglets usually have to endure tail docking, teeth resection, and/or castration
Studies examining the impacts of management procedures on the well-being of newborn piglets have predominately focused on castration, tail docking, and tooth clipping, which means that there is comparably less information available on the various identification techniques with respect to animal welfare [2,5]
Summary
Piglets have to undergo several treatments in the first days of life, collectively referred to as “piglet processing” [1,2,3]. Apart from the legally required marking for identification, piglets usually have to endure tail docking, teeth resection, and/or castration. Often, these procedures are performed in combination to reduce handling and work time [4,5]. Several studies, which will be discussed throughout this review, have compared different procedures and techniques and assessed their impact on piglets of various ages in terms of pain and stress. Studies analyzing the acute response and long-term implications of marking, teeth resection, tail docking, and castration on piglet welfare are discussed. The effects of the treatment itself, of alternative techniques, and of piglet age will be evaluated It was aimed at providing an overview of applied welfare indicators. Knowledge gaps are highlighted, and open research questions are compiled for further studies in the future
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