![]() ![]() Ear tagging or tattooing a pig as a mark is completely legal and allowed. Clipping is different and may not be applicable, but tagging is safe. A registered pig may be required to be “identified” and have an “identification mark” which is usually done by tagging their ears. Aside from tail docking and teeth-clipping, a similar topic which is “ ear clipping” can be thought of. Teeth-clipping is completely allowed for domestic pigs to be properly handled by their mothers and avoid injuring other pigs. Other animals like dogs have strict rules and regulations when it comes to docking, but there are no specific rules for pigs as of the moment. Tail docking rules in pigs are not yet officially addressed, but it is said that as long it is done by a professional or a veterinarian, there should be no problem. This is required as piglets are born with a pair of two needle-sharp front teeth and can prove to be painful when biting and sucking to the point that their mothers may refuse feeding them. As for tooth-clipping, this is usually done to newborn piglets to reduce injuries especially when feeding off their mother’s milk. Having a part of your body cut without anesthesia would cause great stress, trauma and of course, pain for anyone even animals. This process is often done without anesthesia! This sparked a controversy among people asking if tail docking was necessary at all. ![]() Tail docking is “ clipping” or “ cutting” the tail shorter and sometimes, removing it completely. Since tail biting has become a problem for pig owners or farmers who raise them, tail docking became a “solution” for this problem. However, for the popular pet breed of miniatures and potbellied pigs, most of them have straight tails. The pigs on the list are popular as domesticated breeds and often have curly tails. Some of these breeds are really not “naturally” curly tailed but began to “ adopt” the trait after crossbreeding and now seems “natural”. Although, it’s not guaranteed that all of them will have the same curly tail. Since we mentioned there are breeds that naturally have curly tails, we listed some of them. This is why certain farms do “tail docking” and “tooth clipping”. A pig’s tail can be sensitive which is why when there are fights among the pigs, they tend to bite the other’s tail which could leave marks, continuous bleeding and a serious injury. There is no other known purpose for their tails other than this defensive mechanism. Like other animals such as cows, horses and other similar animals, the tail is what they use to get rid of the flies which could potentially make them sick. ![]() Because of the way their bodies are built, the only part that could reach areas they normally can’t such as their backs would be their tails. The most logical use of a pig with their tail is warding off parasites like flies and other insects. This is why a pig’s tail can be sensitive. A pig’s tail is almost comparable to a human skin. Many people might wonder about the purpose of their tail, other than for appearance purposes. What is the purpose of a pig’s tail? What else is there to know about pigs and their tails? In this article, we’ll share more helpful information. There are breeds that have natural curly tails and some breeds that do not, but may be born with a curly tail if bred with a curly tailed pig. Due to this belief, curly tailed pigs are intentionally paired together for breeding purposes and now, most breeds that originated from China are often curly tailed. There is also another theory that the curly tailed pigs began in China because the Chinese farmers or pig owners believed the curly tail is a sign of good health as mentioned above. A healthy pig should have a curly tail while a pig that is feeling sick will have a hanging straight down tail. Certain pig owners say that the tail is only another way to determine a pig’s health. However, domesticated pigs are born with curly tails including male pigs. Male pigs regardless if they are wild or domesticated usually have straight tails too. This theory could prove to be one of the most logical reasons as selective breeding even for other animals had resulted in various deformation or unnatural changes to an animal’s behavior or physical appearances. Other theories say that it’s nothing but an unexpected side effect because of the domestication and selective breeding that people caused. This theory says it’s more of a domestic evolution for pigs. While having curly tails will let them dodge bites a lot easier. ![]() Straight tails are more prone to injuries as they are easier to grab and get bitten by other animals or fellow pigs. However, the most “popular theory” says that having curly tails protect domestic pigs from physical tail injuries. Why do pigs have curly tails? The truth is, there is no scientific explanation about it yet. Recently, pigs are becoming a lot more famous as pets and more people are growing curious about them! ![]()
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