Document type : Scientific article

Nest-building behavior of sows on jute bags: correlations with traits recorded around parturition and potentials as a selection criterion

Jinhyeon Yun, Kirsi-Marja Swan, Kirsi Vienola, Chantal Farmer, Claudio Oliviero, Olli Peltoniemi, Anna Valros

Published in 2024

Study on the use of burlap bags by sows during farrowing. Suspended bags were those mostly manipulated by the animals. Bag use by sows was correlated with farrowing progress and the number of piglets that died at birth.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Maternity

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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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Animal behaviour and welfare research: A One Health perspective

James William Yeates

Published in 2024

A summary of the ethical principles proposed by the One Health program for research into animal behavior and welfare. Transdisciplinary and multisectoral in nature, such research should describe and apply a harmonious balance between the needs of humans, animals and the environment, and recognize the importance of the integrity of the ecosystem as a whole.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment,Adaptation of the environment to the animal , Biodiversity, Education, Environment, Experimentation, Risk management, One Welfare, Human-animal relationshipsLivestock farming system, Societal issues

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Family pigs' and dogs' reactions to human emotional vocalizations:a citizen science study

Fanni Lehoczki, Paula Pérez Fraga, Attila Andics

Published in 2024

Scientific article on a study testing whether the emotional contagion provoked in dogs by human sounds of distress is the result of their selection for cooperation with humans or is rooted in the universal signals of emotion. The authors compared the reactions of dogs and pigs to recordings of human crying and humming. Dogs became agitated when listening to crying, which the authors interpret as emotional contagion, while pigs were stressed by humming, which the authors interpret as neophobia (fear of the new).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Dogs, Pigs

Keywords : Human-animal relationships

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Exploring the relationship between horse-owner attributes and their approach to horse training

E. Bartlett, E. J. Blackwell, L. J. Cameron, J. Hockenhull

Published in 2024

Scientific article aimed at identifying the factors that influence horse owners' choice of training approach. An online survey revealed that the choice of approach depended on several factors: age, gender, goals, activities, role in the industry and whether or not respondents had undergone training in animal behavior. Beliefs about the sentience and cognitive abilities of horses, and the use of scientific data were correlated with the likelihood of applying aversive methods.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Working animals, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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How is pig welfare assessed in studies on farrowing housing systems? A systematic review

Bianca Vandresen, Jen-Yun Chou, Maria José Hötzel

Published in 2024

Systematic review analyzing methods to assess the welfare of sows and piglets in different housing systems in the period around farrowing and lactation: it looks at conventional farrowing crates and alternative systems (loose farrowing pens, group housing, outdoor farrowing, hinged crates and ellipsoid crates).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of th animal to environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, One Welfare, Stress, livestock farming system

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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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Time budgets and 24 h temporal patterns variation of activities in stabled dairy dromedary camels

Chayma Chaouch Aoun, Moufida Atigui, Marwa Brahmi, Eya Gherairi, Mohamed Hammadi

Published in 2024

Scientific article on the 24-hour time budget of dairy camels. These animals spend most of their time in a standing position, feeding, while rumination is high at night in particular.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Camelidae

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

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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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