Discipline: Veterinary

Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

Thomas Collard, Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Article reporting on the impact of forced confinement due to avian influenza on the behavior of Chilean flamingos in a UK zoo. Confinement decreased flamingo activity and abnormal, reoriented foraging actions were recorded. Weather also influenced plumage condition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Population management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Behaviour and welfare assessment of autochthonous slow-growing rabbits: The role of housing systems

Laura Ozella, Stefano Sartore, Elisabetta Macchi, Isabella Manenti, Silvia Mioletti, Barbara Miniscalco, Riccardo Crosetto, Patrizia Ponzio, Edoardo Fiorilla, Cecilia Mugnai

Published in 2024

Scientific article evaluating the effect of three housing systems (traditional single cages, group farming and a mixed system) on the welfare of slow-growing rabbits. Group-housed rabbits exhibited a wider range of behaviors, but were also associated with higher levels of salivary and hair corticosterone indicating stress. Younger rabbits were more active while mature rabbits displayed more agonistic behaviors.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress, Livestock farming system, Behavioural disorders

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Evaluation of candidate data-based welfare indicators for calves in Switzerland

Sibylle Zwygart, Barbara Lutz, Beat Thomann, Dimitri Stucki, Mireille Meylan, Jens Becker

Published in 2024

Article showing that the four principles of Welfare Quality that indicate good animal welfare, namely "good feed", "good housing", "good health" and "appropriate behavior", are not reflected in routinely available data on veal calf farms in Switzerland, even though data for health status assessment is available. If animal welfare is to be inferred from routine data, there is a need to adapt data collection strategies and animal identification methods.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Carcass quality, Livestock farming system, Behavioural disorders, Welfare indicators

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The use of high expansion foam for stunning and killing pigs and poultry

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2024

EFSA opinion assessing the suitability of high expansion foam in container as a new stunning and killing method for poultry and pigs. It concludes that, for laying hens and broilers and for pigs weighing between 15 and 41 kg, this is an effective and animal-friendly alternative method, subject to compliance with the specified technical conditions and procedures, and to staff training.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia, Welfare indicators, Stress

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Assessment of Production Technologies on Dairy Farms in Terms of Animal Welfare

Marek Gaworski, Pavel Kic

Published in 2024

Scientific review aiming to identify and discuss risk factors in dairy farming that may affect the welfare of dairy cattle and using a One Welfare approach, including the welfare of the farmer and the sustainability of the farm.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines

Keywords: One Welfare,Risk management, Welfare indicators

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Considering the human-animal bond in developing One Health guidelines and standards for companion animals in humanitarian crises

Andrew O'Carroll, Carrie La Jeunesse, Lynn Lieberman Lawry

Published in 2024

Scientific article promoting "One Health" approaches to humanitarian crisis management to improve planning and preparation for the full range of disaster risks affecting humans, other animals and the environment when domestic animals and people are moved together.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines, Exotic pets

Key word:Societal issues, Population management, One Welfare

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Welfare of sheep and goats during killing for purposes other than slaughter

EFSA Panel of Animal Health and Welfare

Published in 2024

EFSA opinion assessing the risks and welfare implications associated with on-farm slaughtering of sheep and goats. It proposes animal-based measures to assess these risks, and preventive and corrective measures to mitigate them.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Goats, Sheep

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Pain, Societal issues, Euthanasia, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Effects of different tooth grinding procedures on the occurrence of tooth injuries, skin lesions, performance and behaviour of suckling piglets

Franziska Anna kleine Kruthaup, Michaela Fels, Carolin Bernarda Timphaus, Fritjof Freise, Swetlana Herbrandt, Elisabeth große Beilage

Published in 2024

Scientific article analysing the impacts of teeth grinding techniques for piglets on piglet and sow lesions, and on the weight development and behavior of unweaned piglets. A diamond rolling head caused more dental pulp injuries than a tea cup roller. Roller grinding caused fewer head lesions in piglets than when teeth were left intact. Weight gain in piglets with tea cup-ground teeth was greater than for the two other groups. Where necessary, tooth grinding with a cup wheel is to be preferred.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressiveness, Pain, Lactation, Maternity, Mutilation

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European Parliament: Answer to Question E-001217/24: Welfare of crustaceans at slaughter

Question: Sarah Wiener (Greens/EFA). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Response from the European Commission to an MEP's question on the welfare of crustaceans at slaughter. The Commission states that it has mandated EFSA to produce an expert opinion on the welfare of certain invertebrates such as decapods. It also refers to the creation, at the beginning of 2024, of the EU Reference Center for Aquatic Animal Welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Euthanasia

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Effects of single- or pair-housing on the welfare of shelter dogs: Behavioral and physiological indicators

Hecker G, Martineau K, Scheskie M, Hammerslough R, Feuerbacher EN

Published in 2024

Scientific article reporting that dogs housed in pairs in shelters, even for a short time, exhibit fewer stress-related behaviors (lip licking, whining, and ears back) than dogs housed individually. In addition, the urinary cortisol:creatinine levels in non-isolated dogs were lower.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords: Adoption, Animal-based measurements,Abandonment, Behavioural disorders, Housing, Socialization, Stress, Welfare indicators

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