Genetic parameters and potential of reducing tail and ear damage in pigs through breeding

• Published in: Genetics selection evolution (Paris) Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 39 - 15
• Main Authors: Hegedűs, Bernadett, Galoro Leite, Natália, Bolhuis, J. Elizabeth, Bijma, Piter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France BioMed Central Ltd 14.07.2025; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Age groups; Analysis; Animal breeding; Animal husbandry; Animals; Behavior; Bias; Biting; Breeding - methods; Correlation; Damage; Data collection; Datasets; Ear; Ear - injuries; Estimates; Female; Genetic improvement; Genetic research; Heritability; Hogs; Life Sciences; Male; Parameters; Selection, Genetic; Sex Factors; Swine; Swine - genetics; Tail - injuries; Tails

Ear and tail biting are behaviours in pigs that cause both welfare problems and financial losses. Data collection of behaviour is difficult at the large scale needed for breeding. The damage inflicted on victims can, however, serve as a proxy for animal breeding. Here, we analysed tail and ear damag...