Discipline: Genetics

Rethinking Poultry Welfare—Integrating Behavioral Science and Digital Innovations to Improve Animal Well-Being

Suresh Neethirajan

Published in 2026

Review article describing the welfare challenges associated with the intensification of poultry farming and the innovative solutions (behavioral, sensor-based, AI) that have been developed to address them, while emphasizing the need to validate and standardize such novel tools and to develop a sustainable interdisciplinary production pathway. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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Chiens de race : l’esthétique peut-elle justifier la souffrance ?

Valérie Chansigaud

Published in 2026

Article recounting the history of the selection by breeders of animals with extreme body types and describing the health and welfare issues that result from this.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Heat stress: an environmental challenge to immune resilience and health in dairy cows

Arslan Tariq, John J. Bromfield

Published in 2026

Scientific review of knowledge on heat stress in dairy cows. The management of heat stress requires a combination of adjustments to the environment, targeted nutrition, and genetic selection for thermotolerance.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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The Influence of Environmental and Genetic Factors and Training Background on the Welfare of Herding Dogs

B. Pilarczyk; R. Pilarczyk; M. Bąkowska; A. Tomza-Marciniak; E. Kwita; J. Udała

Published in 2026

Bibliographic review concluding that the effectiveness and well-being of sheepdogs depend on genetic factors, living conditions, and, above all, training methods based on positive reinforcement and a relationship of trust.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories:Canine

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Welfare indicators in cattle farming in the face of heat stress: a review in climate change scenarios

IMF de Souza, CEL Sousa, VS Pinto, LGP Vilela, AdS Souza, JPS Cunha, CV Araújo, MdNB Gomes, LKX Silva, LG Martorano, KAL Neves, RNC Camargo-Júnior, ÉBR Silva, WC da Silva

Published in 2026

Comparative review showing that Zebu cattle are more resilient to high temperatures and disease than European cattle, although the latter are more productive. The authors stress the importance of taking account of climate constraints in genetic selection.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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Welfare assessment of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo) on farm

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Virginie Michel, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Karl Stahl, Jutta Berk, Joanna Marchewka, Nienke van Staaveren, Oana Maria Balmos, Chiara Fabris, Olaf Mosbach-Schulz, Yves Van der Stede, Marika Vitali, Cristina Rojo Gimeno, Antonio Velarde, Anja Brinch Riber

Published in 2026

New EFSA scientific opinion identifyinh key welfare concerns for turkeys. To improve turkey welfare, the EFSA experts recommend increasing space allowances, implementing appropriate enrichment techniques, phasing out mutilations, and avoiding the practice of culling flocks.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Poultry

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Behavioural adaptations of livestock to environmental stressors: implications for welfare and productivity

Oke OE, Eletu TA, Akosile OA, Fasasi LO, Adeniji OE, Ojedokun MZ, Oni AI

Published in 2025

Synthetic article analyzing behavioral adaptations associated with environmental stressors in livestock and emphasizing the importance of assessment tools and targeted management strategies for the improvement of animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Aggressive Mating Behavior in Roosters (Gallus gallus domesticus): A Narrative Review of Behavioral Patterns

Mihnea Lupu, Dana Tăpăloagă, Elena Mitrănescu, Raluca Ioana Rizac, George Laurențiu Nicolae, Manuella Militaru

Published in 2025

Review showing that intensive genetic selection of broilers has led to male sexual behavior dysfunctions (absence of courtship, forced mating, injury to hens), linked to genetic, neuroendocrine and environmental factors.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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The Protection of Selectively Bred and Gene Edited Farm Animals under EU Law

Ilaria Cimadori, Alice Di Concetto, Khara Grieger

Published in 2025

Article examining the ethical and regulatory issues surrounding the use of genome-editing technologies in animal breeding, compared with traditional selection methods. It highlights inconsistencies in the current European framework and calls for animal welfare regulation for all selection methods. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Fish, Pigs, Poultry

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