Discipline: Veterinary

Evaluate the effectiveness of official controls to protect the welfare of cattle kept for beef production

DG Health, European Commission

Published in 2024

Results of an audit carried out in Belgium in 2023 seeking to assess the effectiveness of official controls relating to the protection of livestock. Although the safeguards provided by animal welfare controls on cattle are satisfactory overall, their effectiveness and consistency are limited as the consequence of weaknesses in the instructions issued and their application, verification and coordination between the competent authorities. The report makes recommendations on areas where improvements are still needed.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Pain, Education, Housing, Abuse, Mutilation

Go to document

Sheep fatigue during transport: Lost in translation?

Published in 0

Results of a qualitative study on sheep fatigue during transport from the perspective of stakeholders. Four Subjects emerged when the interview data was analysed, suggesting several avenues of research to improve sheep welfare during transport, including fatigue assessment based on QBA (qualitative behavioral analysis).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Animal trade, Welfare indicators, Transport, Behavioural disorders

Go to document

Lameness in beef cattle: Effect, causes and treatment

Hannah Fitzsimmonds

Published in 2024

Veterinary study reporting the prevalence of lameness in British cattle. The article describes the financial impact of lameness on farms, the main causes of lameness and the actions that can be taken to limit it.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Behavioural disorders

Go to document

Review on cooling technologies for pigs

Vermeer Herman, Hoofs Anita

Published in 2024

Summary document for official welfare inspectors describing cooling technologies for pigs and their surroundings in farm buildings.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

Key word:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Education, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment

Go to document

Colloque BOW : Le bâtiment d’élevage, point de rencontre entre l’homme et l’animal

Yannick Ramonet, Frédéric Kergourlay, Vanessa Lollivier

Published in 2024

Conference proceedings from the BOW symposium co-organized by the BATICE and One Welfare RMTs on February 14 and 15, 2024 in Rennes.

Document Types: Technical review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal,Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Enrichment, Housing, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders, Education, Precision farming, Societal issues, Livestock housing, Livestock farming system

Go to document

The potential of pumice as a litter material and its influence on growth performance, carcass parameters, litter quality traits, behavior, and welfare in broiler chickens

Duman, M., Şekeroğlu, A. & Tainika, B

Published in 2024

Scientific study showing the potential of pumice as a bedding material to improve the zootechnical performance, behavior and welfare of broiler chickens. The article concludes that acid pumice, either on its own or mixed with wood shavings, would provide a reliable litter material, replacing wood shavings.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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

Go to document

Enrichment materials for sows during pregnancy - Short review

Schubbert Antje, Spoolder Hans, Pedersen Lene

Published in 2024

Summary of the different types of enrichment (materials, objects, substrates) that can be  given to sows during gestation, and the recommended methods for their provision. 

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

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

Go to document

Assessing Giraffe Welfare During Seasonal Habitat Changes in Northern US Zoos

Razal, C., Bryant, J., & Miller, L.

Published in 2024

Multi-criteria study of behavioral observations, hormonal monitoring and decubitus rates as a means to assess giraffe welfare, comparing summer outdoor habitats and winter indoor quarters at several zoological institutions. The results suggest that housing giraffes indoors does not compromise their welfare, since positive effects were observed in both indoor and outdoor surroundings.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife, Ruminants

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

Go to document

Farm animals: a plea for shelters

Anne Judas

Published in 2024

In this article, the Director of OABA (Œuvre d'Assistance aux Bêtes d'Abattoirs) explains why the number of abandoned animals (goats, horses and cattle) taken in by the association has risen in recent years.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories:Cattle, Goats, Equines, Sheep, Pigs, Ruminants, Poultry

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption

Go to document

Indicator factsheets (EURCAW-Poultry-SFA)

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2024

Technical data sheets published by EURCAW-Poultry-SFA containing the main indicators for the assessment of the state of consciousness of broilers and turkeys, the "iceberg" indicators to assess severe pecking, feather cleanliness, foot pad dermatitis in broilers and leg lesions at slaughter in laying hens.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Animal-based measurements, Pain, Education, Euthanasia, Welfare indicators, Mutilation, Vocalisation

Go to document