Yes your right BB, The point was about hygiene practices, one of the causes of joint ill is bacterial infection entering through the untreated umbilical cord, so although yes it is not necessary to treat the umbilical cord you would be foolish not to, its good welfare practice, only takes a few moments and saves against a painfull disease and then having to treat with antibiotics. We farrow 4 to 6 litters a week, we have always treated navels and never had a problem with infections entering via the navel etc, all I can say is the choice is yours.....