Discipline: Ergonomics

Impacts of Reduced Stocking Density on Broiler Welfare During Transport: Evidence from a Hungarian Study Under Moderate Climatic Conditions

László Szőllősi, Dániel Fróna, Laura Mihály-Karnai, Attila Csorbai

Published in 2025

Hungarian study showing that the reduction in  the transport density of broiler chickens recommended by the EFSA to improve their welfare can nevertheless result in higher mortality, and more injuries and condemned carcasses. The results suggest that increasing the space allowance does not necessarily improve welfare under moderate temperature conditions and that further research is required.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Go to document

Invited review: Development of a dairy barn concept to improve animal welfare

R. Wulf, S. Demba, V. Röttgen, J. Langbein, S. Düpjan, B. Weise, S. Rose, A. Sixt, J. Harms, I. Steinhöfel, H.-S. Bruckert, P.A. Guhl, M. Heppelmann, S. Jahn, M.J. Oettler, T. Homeier-Bachmann, L. Bachmann

Published in 2025

Study presenting the "future dairy barn" (FEL) concept, designed to better integrate the behavioral and social needs of dairy cattle. This alternative breeding model aims to sustainably improve their well-being while meeting societal expectations.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Go to document

Assessing the Welfare of Spiny Lobsters and True Lobsters in Aquaria: Biology-Informed Best-Practice Guidelines for Captive Conditions

Fruscella L., Elwood R.W., Passantino A.

Published in 2025

Study assessing the welfare of spiny lobster and true lobster in captivity, highlighting the gaps between their biological and behavioral needs and current commercial practices. It recommends appropriate housing conditions (separation and appropriate stocking density, provision of shelter, claws should not be tied, no direct light, monitoring for water quality) to improve their health and welfare..

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Go to document

Biology, husbandry systems and farm practices for American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Maria Díez-León, Sabine Dippel, Sandra Edwards, Angela Schwarzer, Denise Candiani, Michaela Hempen, Eliana Lima, Claudia Millán Caravaca, Neil J. Tirchett, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Mette S. Herskin

Published in 2025

EFSA technical report updating its 2001 analysis of the welfare of animals bred for their fur (mink, fox, raccoon dog, chinchilla), incorporating recent data on these animals' biology and the production cycles and farming methods used.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Mammals

Go to document

Welfare of American mink, red and Arctic foxes, raccoon dog and chinchilla kept for fur production - EFSA

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

Recent scientific opinion from the EFSA, identifying the main welfare risks to animals bred for their fur (mink, foxes, raccoon dogs, chinchillas), which are mainly associated with lives spent in cages without enrichment, resulting in restricted movement, stress and behavioral disorders.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Mammals

Go to document

The evaluation of animal welfare indicators based on transport duration and lighting differences in the slaughter of broiler chickens

Siska W., Latif, H., Purnawarman T

Published in 2025

Study showing that blue lighting in the pre-slaughter room reduces stress (corticosterone) in broilers, shortens bleeding time and maintains carcass quality. The authors recommend the use of blue lighting in poultry abattoirs.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Go to document

Positive impacts of a covered veranda on broiler chicken welfare

F. Mocz, J-P. Moysan, L. Warin, A. Keita, V. Michel, M. Guinebretière

Published in 2025

Study showing that access to a covered veranda promotes active behavior and reduces the prevalence of hock burns in broilers, without affecting zootechnical performance. Such structures improve welfare by enriching the environment without compromising either health or productivity.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Go to document

Cow comfort, behavior and welfare with specific reference to dairy cattle: A review

Damodaran Sreekumar & Veerasamy Sejian

Published in 2024

Review on optimizing dairy cow comfort

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Go to document

A critical review on the welfare of Japanese quail in cage-free housing: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Jansson DS, Hedman FL, Yngvesson J, Keeling L, Henriksen R

Published in 2025

Scientific synthesis highlighting the lack of knowledge and regulations on cage-free systems for Japanese quail. It reviews the essential behavioral needs of the species and identifies gaps in group management, equipment design and dealing with agonistic behaviors. Integration of AI and genomic selection is proposed to support an efficient and ethical transition to alternative breeding systems.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Go to document

Assemblée nationale : réponse à la question n°5909 : Transition vers un élevage hors-cage en France

Question: Mr Pouria Amirshahi (Paris (5th constituency) - Écologiste et Social). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty

Published in 2025

Question from a Member of Parliament on support for farmers to achieve an effective  transition to cage-free farming in France. The government points out that cage-free farming is growing in France. It provides supporte for this process through assistance with capital expenditure and national coordination, while calling for harmonization at European level so that farms can remain competitive.  

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

Go to document