Discipline: Ethology

Precision Livestock Farming for Dairy Sheep: A Literature Review of IoT and Decision-Support Systems for Enhanced Management and Welfare

Mura M.C., Trimasse O., Carcangiu V., Luridiana S.

Published in 2026

Review showing that precision farming technologies have significant potential to improve the monitoring and welfare of dairy ewes, but their adoption continues to be constrained by economic, technical, and ethical factors.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Ovines

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Behavioral indicators of positive welfare in broilers

Jenna Boewe, Marisa Erasmus

Published in 2026

The welfare of broiler chickens now includes positive states and the expression of natural behaviors, which are assessed using behavioral indicators and promoted through environmental enrichment.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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Bien-être et comportement des poules domestiques

Cécile Arnould

Published in 2026

Book detailing the sensory, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities of domestic chickens in order to improve recognition of their sensitivities and the importance of their welfare, drawing on scientific advances, changes in legislation, and the author's experience.

Document Types: Scientific work

Animal categories: Poultry

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Measuring shade use of dairy cattle at pasture with an on-cow light sensor: a case study

Lydiane Aubé, Bruno Meunier, Romain Lardy

Published in 2026

Study confirming the effectiveness of using a light sensor attached to grazing cows to automatically detect whether they are in the shade or in the sun. The technique works well and allows continuous monitoring of the cows' use of shade.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Applying the five domains to the welfare of farmed black soldier flies, house flies, and yellow mealworms

Samuel Olutunde Durosaro, Meghan Barrett

Published in 2025

A study examining the current state of knowledge regarding the welfare of three insects raised for human and animal consumption (black soldier flies, houseflies, and yellow mealworms) based on the five-domain framework (nutrition, physical health, environment, behavior, and mental state).

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Invertebrates

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The Influence of Environmental Conditions and Husbandry Practices on Goat Welfare

Pilarczyk R., Bąkowska M., Tomza-Marciniak A., Udała J., Seremak B., Kwita E., Sablik P., Pilarczyk B.

Published in 2026

Study showing that goat welfare depends strongly on the environment, diet, and social interactions. Appropriate farming practices (stress management, enrichment, and supervised pain management) and regular assessments significantly improve their welfare, but further research is needed.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Caprines

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Meat Industry Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines: A Systematic Approach to Animal Welfare at Transport and Slaughter

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Good practice guide on the transport, handling and stunning of animals in the meat industry 

Document types:good practice guides

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Animal Welfare Audit

Meat Institute Animal Welfare Committee and Temple Grandin

Published in 2026

Audit tool for the objective assessment of animal welfare in the meat industry during transport, holding, and slaughter

Document types:good practice guides

Animal categories:Cattle, Sheep, Pigs

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Perch-based enrichment and broiler growth, welfare and behaviour

B. F. Sevinç B. Yılmaz Dikmen

Published in 2026

Study showing that perch-based enrichment does not affect growth or most welfare windicators in broiler chickens, but that it reduces hock burn and slightly improves locomotion.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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Fowl play: Do age and aviary design affect play in cage-free laying hens?

Xiaowen Ma, Vrinda Ambike, Valentina Bongiorno, Jacquelyn A. Jacobs, Janice C. Swanson, Tina M. Widowski, Janice M. Siegford

Published in 2026

Study showing that the play behavior of laying hens decreases significantly with age, and is influenced by aviary design and space allocation per bird. Certain activities, such as more frequent running or wing flapping, were influenced by aviary design and space per bird. The study concludes that housing configuration influences welfare and may interact with the hens' developmental stage.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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