The new advisory concept “Halefokus” (“Tail focus”) a Danish industry initiative aimed at preventing tail biting in pig production without routine tail dockingis well underway, and the first herd visits show that early intervention, systematic work, and joint preparedness are crucial to preventing tail biting in pigs.
The project “Halefokus” - a feeding and advisory concept for the production of pigs with whole tails - is underway, and according to SvineRådgivningen, the project is progressing steadily. “We have now visited the first five herds and gathered experience that we can use in our daily advisory work.” This is stated by pig advisor Dorthe Carlson in SvineRådgivningen’s latest newsletter. SvineRådgivningen translates into “Pig Advisory Service”, a Danish professional advisory service for pig producers, providing expertise in herd management, production optimisation, animal health, welfare and economic performance. It aims to support farmers with data-driven decision-making and best practices.
A systematic review provides an overview
In the newsletter, the advisor explains how, at each visit, they review the herd systematically based on a checklist.
- We start with a dialogue with the farm manager and then continue with a review of the barn focusing on barn climate, feeding, behavior, health, and management. On that basis, we form an overall picture and assess which measures can reduce the risk of tail biting, says Dorthe Carlson.
After the visit, a follow-up visit is made to the herd, where the advisors help prepare a concrete action plan.
Causes of tail biting
Among the causes of tail-biting outbreaks that have so far been identified in the three-year project »Halefokus«, the following are mentioned:
Mixing errors - too low mineral dosage Inappropriate setting of feeding time control on wet feeding systems, causing large daily variations in feed quantity Frequent alarms on the feeding system Inadequate setting of the ventilation system
At the same time, it is stated that there is a lack of a clear contingency plan for how the situation should be handled.
Effective preparedness requires, among other things:
Close and frequent supervision in the barn – several times daily Quick reaction at the first signs of tail biting Easy access to relevant enrichment materials that can be put into use immediately
Source: SvineRådgivningen’s newsletter Svinenyt, March 2026
Early signs are often overlooked
“The first experiences confirm that tail biting is a complex challenge, where there is rarely a single triggering factor. In herds with problems, we often see that there is a lack of focus on the early signs - for example drooping tails”, the advisor says.
According to Dorthe Carlson, it is hence crucial that all employees know the plan so that action is taken consistently – every time.
Four theories explain tail biting: The pig’s nature plays a key role
LVK Dyrlægerne, a Danish veterinary advisory organisation specialising in herd health management and preventive livestock care, refer in their latest newsletter to the recently held meeting in the LF framework »Together for whole tails« about the compensation scheme and the whole tails project.
In the announcement, the veterinarians refer, among other things, to a presentation by Professor Irena Czycholl from Germany, who during the meeting presented four theories about how tail biting can arise:
1. Lack of resources such as feed/feeding space, water, or space conditions can lead to biting. A competitive situation arises where one pig bites another to gain access to a resource.
2. Some pigs, so to speak, become “crazy” and start biting – the cause is unknown. A so-called compulsive form.
3. SINS form; a number of stresses on pigs can, via the pig’s immune system, cause inflammation that can lead to tissue death. If the tail is affected by tissue death, it can lead to biting from other pigs.
4. Pigs do not read textbooks, so it is often a combination of conditions occurring at the same time.
The professor explained that the pigs cannot fulfill their natural need for foraging in the barn. In nature, they root in the soil and forage during 80 percent of their waking time, so this frustration or boredom over the lack of rooting
Joint preparedness is crucial in everyday work
“We want to help all interested herds prepare a simple and action-oriented contingency plan that can help prevent tail biting in practice”, says the advisor, who states that these early experiences are included in the three-year project that SvineRådgivningen launched at the turn of the year in collaboration with Aarhus Universitet, Københavns Universitet, and DLG (Danish Agro Group), an international agricultural trading and service company providing farm inputs, advisory services and supply chain solutions.
The project, which runs from January 2026 until April 2029, has been granted funding of DKK 8,639,026 from Grønt Udviklings- og DemonstrationsProgram (GUDP) under the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries.
Story by Camilla Bønløkke, Effektivt Landbrug
