Discipline: Ethology

Le bien-être des animaux d’élevage – Évaluer le bien-être animal

Luc Mounier, Alain Boissy, Alice de Boyer des Roches, Christine Duvaux-Ponter, Raphaël Guattéo, Marie-Christine Meunier-Salaün, Pierre Mormède

Published in 2021

The second volume of a series of three reference books from the "Farm Animal Welfare" MOOC developed by French teacher-researchers and animal welfare specialists. This volume is devoted to the assessment of farm animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators

Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle. II: Effects on cow welfare and behavior

Megan Verdon, Adam Langworthy, Richard Rawnsley

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the behaviour and stress parameters of dairy cows on pasture with either an electric fence or a virtual fence. No difference was found in the first days, but the cows with virtual fencing displayed less activity and higher cortisol levels in milk after a few days.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Learning, training, Pain, Welfare indicators, Stress, Livestock farming system

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The importance of observation in cattle handling

The Beef Site

Published in 2021

This article reminds us that good human-animal relationships require a good knowledge of and respect for the animal's needs and behaviour. A summary for cattle is provided of these, as defined by Temple Grandin, an internationally renowned behaviourist.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements,Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

How can the research on chicken cognition improve chicken welfare: a perspective review

V. H. B. Ferreira, V. Guesdon, L. Calandreau

Published in 2021

A review of the science linking cognition and welfare in chickens, focusing on three common welfare problems in chicken farms: unequal use of space, pecking, and unfulfilled behavioural and physiological needs.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators

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Impact of paper bedding on lying behaviour and welfare in lactating dairy cows

Helena F.M.Sobte, Stephanie Buijs

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the effects of paper- and sawdust-based bedding on the welfare of lactating dairy cows, looking specifically at lying behaviour, activity, lameness, skin lesions, cleanliness and productivity and finding no significant difference between the two bedding types.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock farming system, Pain, Welfare indicators

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Knowledge and Perspectives on the Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs on Farms

Marika Vitali, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the available data on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs, which are reared over a longer period in order to create traditional products and therefore have special needs. The review concludes that there are many information gaps and research is needed to improve the welfare of this particular pig population.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard - Dairy Calves

RSPCA Australia

Published in 2021

A document outlining Australia's new RSPCA standards for the welfare of dairy calves. The main elements are: improving the fulfilment of the behavioural needs of calves, provision of sufficient quality and quantity of colostrum, housing of calves in groups in suitable conditions, no transport of calves under 10 days of age, and prohibition of painful practices such as the dehorning of calves.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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Evaluation of the Feasibility, Reliability, and Repeatability of Welfare Indicators in Free-Roaming Horses: A Pilot Study

Jessica J. Harley, J. David Stack, Helen Braid, Krista M. McLennan, Christina R. Stanley

Published in 2021

Scientific paper testing animal- and environment- based welfare indicators for use on free-roaming horses. The test focused on ease of use, repeatability and reliability.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators

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Identification of Animal-Based Welfare Indicators in Captive Reptiles: A Delphi Consultation Survey

Peta L. Hitchens, Rachael H. Booth, Annabelle Murphy, Bidda Jones, Lauren M. Hemsworth

Published in 2021

Scientific paper on the gathering of an evidence base of expert opinion on welfare indicators for the animals to be included in a welfare assessment tool for four reptile families.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Exotic pets

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Basic Needs in Horses? - A Literature Review

Konstanze Krueger, Laureen Esch, Kate Farmer, Isabell Marr

Published in 2021

Scientific review of the behavioural and physiological responses of horses in terms of stress, active behaviours, passive behaviours and abnormal behaviours, when their basic needs (social contact, presence of companions, freedom of movement, access to forage) are not fully met.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

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

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