Document type: survey announcement fromIdele
Authors: Renée de Crémoux, Marianne Berthelot
Preview Whether they are looking to enrich their animals' environment or provide access to exercise areas, goat farmers are making use of a variety of innovative ways to improve the living environment and welfare of the kids in their care. A survey is being conducted by the ANSES in collaboration with INRAE to gain a better understanding of the facilities on offer, and to collect the views of farmers on their use and relevance. Environmental enrichment can be defined as the provision of features, objects or stimuli (auditory, physical, chemical, biological, olfactory) that go beyond those found in standard animal management practice and intended to improve the animals' physical or psychological welfare. In this area of study with regard to goat kids, the main focus is on the birth-weaning period. Little information is available on enrichment after weaning, and no practitioner feedback from experience with young goats is available on exercise areas (outdoor living areas adjoining the building).
Survey on the development of the living environment for young goats
The ANSES (Niort site) is therefore carrying out a survey on the development of the living environment for young goats. It is aimed at all goat farmers, whether they have set up exercise areas for their young goats or not, and whether or not they have enriched their animals' living environment. The objectives are as follows:
- To identify the enrichments used by farmers for kids at each development stage (from birth to first kidding)and the obstacles to their implementation (generally or at particular life stages). A summary of this experience-based information will be produced and distributed. It will enable farmers to see what enrichments can be offered to kids at different life stages, what the constraints are, and what avenues can be explored to encourage their adoption and/or continued use following weaning.
- To describe the exercise areas on farms where kids are given access and the factors that prevent their use where they are not. The responses from farmers will provide the starting point for reflection and discussion on the design of areas suitable for goat kids.
How you can help:
- Click on the link to complete the survey: Enquête Enrichissement du milieu des chevrettes
- Time needed: 10 - 20 minutes maximum
- NB Don't forget to save your answers at the end of the questionnaire by clicking on the "Save" button.
Find out the results You can sign up to receive updates and the final summary.
Pass it on! If you know any farmers who would like to contribute, please feel free to send them the link to the online survey. Thank you in advance for helping us.
Any questions?: If you have any questions, please e-mail to one of the following team members:
Marianne Berthelot marianne.berthelot(at)anses.fr Carine Paraud : carine.paraud(at)anses.fr
