Discipline: Veterinary

One Health Approach to Rabbit Farming: Balancing Act between Environmental Impact, Farmers Livelihood, and Animal Welfare

Ibikunle Funso Olaleru, Ibukun Oluwatobi Busari and Olorunfunmi Isimioluwa Solana

Published in 2024

Book chapter describing rabbit farming as a sustainable solution to meeting demand for meat while having a low environmental impact, thanks to the feed conversion efficiency and low land and resource requirements of rabbits. However, challenges include the need to ensure adequate space to avoid stress and health problems and to guarantee animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific work

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords: Environment, Housing, One Welfare, Pollution,Societal issues, livestock farming system

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Evaluation of a scheme to identify risks for tail biting in pigs

D'Alessio RM, Mc Aloon CG, Correia-Gomes C, Hanlon A, O'Driscoll K

Published in 2024

Study evaluating a tail-biting risk assessment program on 27 pig farms. Results showed little correlation between management practices and tail-biting risk, despite identifying areas for improvement such as stocking density, enrichment provision and incidence of tail docking. The study underscores the need to improve the training of assessors. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Aggressivity, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Housing, Mutilation, Carcass quality, Behavioural disorders

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Combining Automated Behaviour Recognition and Physiological Data to Characterize Heat Tolerance and Animal Welfare in Growing Pigs

Poullet Nausicaa, Guichard Johanna, Beramice David, Dantec Laurent, Gourdine Jean-Luc, Bonneau Mathieu

Published in 2024

Study combining computer visual monitoring and temperature measurements to monitor the behavior and thermoregulation of 22 pigs exposed to tropical temperatures (ranging from 20.3 to 27.9°C) and thermoneutral conditions (22°C). Pigs exposed to heat stress spent more time lying on their sides to dissipate heat, and a thermal discomfort index (HDI) was created to assess the impact on their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Robustness, Behavioural disorders

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Effects of electrical and percussive stunning on neural, ventilatory and cardiac responses of rainbow trout

Jeroen Brijs, Per Hjelmstedt, Erika Sundell, Charlotte Berg, Erik Sandblom, Albin Gräns

Published in 2025

Study evaluating the effectiveness of dry and percussive electrical stunning for the ethical slaughter of rainbow trout. The results indicate that percussivestunning is more effective, while dry electrical stunning requires further research before it can be validated as a humane slaughter method.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia, Brain integration

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Attitudes and professional values of veterinarians and veterinary students toward positive welfare states for dairy cattle

M.W. Brunt, D.B. Haley, S.J. LeBlanc, D.F. Kelton

Published in 2024

Study showing that beef veterinarians and veterinary students in Canada have attitudes and professional values that are favorable to positive welfare in dairy cows. However, they are unsure of their own ability to influence changes in current practices to improve welfare. The main barriers identified are practicality, resistance to change and concern for the animal.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Education, Welfare indicators, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships

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Effect of different LED light colors on welfare, performance, some behavioral patterns, and blood parameters of Muscovy ducks

Eman Hefnawy, Eman Elgazzar, Ahmed Sabek, Saeed El-laithy, Souad Ahmed

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the impact of different LED light colors on the welfare of Muscovy ducks. Blue light proved particularly beneficial, reducing feather pecking, tonic immobility time, and cortisol levels, while it improved feather condition without affecting growth.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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How does perception of zoo animal welfare influence public attitudes, experiences, and behavioural intentions? A mixed-methods systematic review

Nicki Phillips, Laëtitia Maréchal, Beth Ventura, Jonathan Cooper

Published in 2024

Systematic study identifying three types of factors that influence negative public perceptions of zoos whose objectives are conservation and education: human (interactions and ethics), animal (behavior and health), and environmental (facility conditions). These negative perceptions reduce the public's commitment to zoos and conservation, necessitating more structured research to improve the validity of the studies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Education, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Occurrence of tail docking and tail biting in weaner pigs - A preliminary study in Portuguese abattoirs

Gomes-Neves, E, Teixeira, MF, Cardoso, MF

Published in 2024

Study revealing that tail docking is still practised despite being banned in Europe, and that weaners with undocked tails are more likely to suffer from bites, especially when transiting through assembly centers prior to slaughter. The carcasses of pigs with tail lesions are more frequently downgraded, underlining the need for new regulations to improve animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Animal trade, Pain, Mutilation, Carcass quality, Transport, Behavioural disorders

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Using Different Cage Enrichments to Improve Rabbits' Performance, Behavior, and Welfare

Elsayed M, Soliman F, Elghalid O, El-Sabrout K.

Published in 2024

Study examining the impact of different environmental enrichments on rabbits, such as rubber flooring, colored plastic balls, and mirrors. Results showed that balls and mirrors improved body weight, carcass quality and physiological parameters, while reducing stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Keywords: Carcass quality, Animal-based measurements, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Behavioural disorders, Welfare indicators

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Review - Relational enrichment in ruminants and equines

Xavier Boivin, Ruth Newberry

Published in 2024

Review exploring relational enrichment in ruminants and equines, examining current husbandry practices such as group housing and human-animal interactions. It highlights the importance of social relationships for animal welfare and identifies gaps in research. The study suggests ways to improve these practices, emphasizing the crucial role of farmers in promoting positive human-animal relationships.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep

Keywords:Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Socialization

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