Tail docking and teeth cutting in piglets. Behavioural, zootechnical and health consequences

artial cutting of teeth in piglets (to prevent wounding of piglets and the udders of sows) and tail docking (to prevent tail biting) have lately been challenged. A behavioural, zootechnical and health analysis helped to improve knowledge of the consequences of these practices. The study suggested disturbances in the animal’s behaviour that could be associated with a temporarily stressful situation.The effects of teeth cutting on behaviour and skin wounds in piglets were moderate. However, clipping teeth reduced growth rate in animals in the first week of life. Tail docking caused short-term reactions thatsuggested pain, but had no long-term consequences on behaviour, wounding or growth of piglets.