Tail measurements in fattening pigs at three different slaughterhouses in Austria

Tail docking is widely practiced in Austria despite legal restrictions, with approximately 95% of pigs affected. The procedure is intended to reduce tail biting but raises major animal welfare concerns due to acute pain, stress responses, and long-term consequences such as neuroma formation and restriction of natural behavior. Conversely, tail biting causes pain, infections, reduced performance, and carcass condemnations. To improve monitoring and enforcement of legal requirements, reliable data on intact tail dimensions in Austrian slaughter pigs are essential, as no standardized measurement method or national reference values currently exist. This study established a standardized manual measurement method using a newly developed device under slaughter line conditions at three Austrian abattoirs. Over six months, 5,773 pigs from 128 farms with different production methods were assessed, focusing on intact tails from organic and welfare-certified pigs where docking is prohibited. Tail length and circumference were recorded and analyzed statistically and linked to carcass and meat inspection findings. The mean intact tail length is 33.7 cm (median 34 cm), longer than previously reported. Female pigs have significantly longer tails than males, and organic pigs show slightly longer tails than “mTW sehr gut” pigs, even at comparable carcass weights. The results provide a reference standard for intact pig tails in Austria and a calibration basis for AI-supported automated monitoring at slaughterhouses, enabling systematic control of docking practices and improved welfare assessment.