Table 2.
Percentage (and number) of tail scores at scoring points A (after bleeding, before scalding) and B (after scalding) in finishing pigs at the slaughter line.
| Scoring point A, % (n) | Scoring point B, % (n) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tail lesion score | ||
| Intact, total* | 58.7% (8471) | 49.2% (7080) |
| Intact + Bite marks or bruises*1 | NA*3 | 11.4% (1639) |
| Healed lesion, total | 22.6% (3264) | 36.7% (5281) |
| Healed lesion + Bite marks or bruises | NA*3 | 9.1% (1309) |
| Acute, total (not including Bite marks or bruises) | 18.7% (2694) | 14.1% (2021) |
| Dry scab *2 | 9.2% (1329) | NA*3 |
| Minor wound (>0 to <2 cm) | 6.5% (942) | 11.6% (1664) |
| Major wound (≥2 cm) | 2.8% (407) | 2.5% (357) |
| Tail length class | ||
| > 24 cm | 81.7% (11 756) | |
| 17-24 cm | 15.0% (2152) | |
| 9-16 cm | 2.6% (379) | |
| < 9 cm | 0.06% (94) |
Scores in italics are subsets of the overall tail score classes (Intact, Healed, Acute).
*
Includes Broken tails (point B): the tip of the tail lost due to carcass processing.
*1
Bite marks or bruises were only scored at point B.
*2
Dry scabs were only scored at point A.
*3
NA, not applicable.