Animal category: Pigs

Behavior and Welfare of Undocked Heavy Pigs Raised in Buildings with Different Ventilation Systems

Marika Vitali, Enrica Santolini, Marco Bovo, Patrizia Tassinari, Daniele Torreggiani,Paolo Trevisi

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the influence of two ventilation systems (natural and mechanical) on the behaviour and welfare of fattening pigs. It concludes that the mechanical system is associated with a more positive emotional state in the pigs, but that in both systems high temperatures are associated with heat stress, and that the welfare state of the animals decreases during the last phases of fattening.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Livestock buildings, Stress

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The Application of Cameras in Precision Pig Farming: An Overview for Swine-Keeping Professionals

Elanchezhian Arulmozhi, Anil Bhujel, Byeong-Eun Moon, Hyeon-Tae Kim

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the state of the art of 3D imaging systems and 2D cameras as an efficient means to identify pig behaviour. It describes automated methods for the monitoring and study of feeding, watering, lying, locomotion, aggression and reproductive behaviour in pigs.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Stress

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002137/2021: The case of the Gulf Livestock 2 vessel and its non-compliance with live animal transport legislation

Question: Marisa Matias (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left. Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Community

Published in 2021

Answer to a question about serious non-compliance found on a Portuguese vessel carrying live calves where poor welfare conditions were evident.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords: Societal issues, Transport

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Effects of Different Housing Systems during Suckling and Rearing Period on Skin and Tail Lesions, Tail Losses and Performance of Growing and Finishing Pigs

Anita Lange, Michael Hahne, Christian Lambertz, Matthias Gauly, Michael Wendt, Heiko Janssen, Imke Traulsen

Published in 2021

Scientific paper investigating the impact of pig housing conditions on the incidence of tail lesions. It shows that keeping piglets in their farrowing pen during the lactation period significantly reduces the incidence of tail lesions and mortality in full-tailed pigs.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Housing, Stress

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The behavior of the sows: Can we predict it?

Paula Arroyo

Published in 2021

Technical article highlighting the importance of ethology in improving pig production. A better understanding of sow ethology can improve animal welfare, management, reproductive efficiency and, therefore, the profitability of the farm. The veterinarian has a new social and educational role to play in improving the welfare of sows and piglets. Staff also need to be trained in ethology, which will enable them to predict the behavioural profile of sows before the first farrowing, improve selection and reduce restraints on animal movement.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Lactation, Welfare indicators

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Ventilation in pig farms

Germán Bertsch

Published in 2021

This technical paper discusses ventilation as a critical factor for health and welfare in pig farming. It describes the different ventilation systems available and stresses that the choice of system depends on the needs of the individual pig farm. It recommends the use of natural ammonia-reducing additives as well as ventilation.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock buildings

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Progress With Livestock Welfare in Extensive Production Systems: Lessons From Australia

Peter Andrew Windsor

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the animal welfare challenges faced by Australian extensive livestock farming and the improvements already in place to improve animal welfare: the development of standards and guidelines for improved farm animal welfare; improved consideration of welfare in the transport of live animals; better pain management for potentially painful routine livestock practices; and more monitoring and consideration of welfare on farms.

Document Types: Scientific review

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Pain, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Transport

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Bien-être animal : vers un label européen ?

Vie Publique Editorial Board

Published in 2021

Article summarising the main findings of a study by the European Parliament Research Service (EPRS) on animal welfare legislation and the EU labelling project. In the view of the EPRS, the legislation is outdated because of structural changes that have occurred in production systems and because it does not allow for recognition of the fact that animals are sentient beings. Europe-wide labelling is viewed as the best response to the increasing number of labelling systems now operating among Member States.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

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Good animal welfare by design: An approach to incorporate animal capacities in engineering design

H.J.E. van Weeghel, A.P. Bos, M.H. Jansen, W.W. Ursinus, P.W.G. Groot Koerkamp

Published in 2021

Scientific article presenting a method of designing breeding and rearing systems that takes into account the animal as a subject, in order to improve animal welfare. Giving an animal the opportunity to influence its environment through choices and decision making according to its own preferences allows the animal to have positive experiences. The aim of the method is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between human goals and animal welfare in future breeding and rearing systems.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Consciousness, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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Le transport maritime des animaux vivants destinés à l’abattage

Académie vétérinaire de France

Published in 2021

In view of the increasing number of accidents related to the transport of live animals by sea, the Veterinary Academy sets out the existing regulations, identifies the ways these rules can be broken, announces the creation of a working group to issue an opinion on the matter and, pending this, makes a number of recommendations.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Societal issues, Stress, Transport