Document type : Scientific article

Domestic hens succeed at serial reversal learning and perceptual concept generalization using a new automated touchscreen device

Rachel Degrande, Fabien Cornilleau, Léa Lansade, Plotine Jardat, Violaine Colson, Ludovic Calandreau

Published in 2022

Scientific paper testing the effectiveness of an automated device for performing cognitive tests in domestic fowl: a simple test, a serial instruction reversal learning task; and a more complex test, and a delayed sample matching task. The results reveal the behavioral flexibility and conceptual understanding of domesticated hens. They also demonstrate the value of using automated devices to improve our knowledge of farm animal cognition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements

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Effects of Animal Welfare-Certified Rearing Systems on the Blood Parameters and Meat Quality Characteristics of Broilers at the Farm Level in Korea

Jin-Joo Jeon, Hee-Jin Kim, Hye-Jin Kim, HHwan-Ku Kang, Chan-Ho Kim, Hyun-Soo Kim, Bo-Seok Kang, Sang-Ho Kim, Aera Jang

Published in 2023

Scientific paper showing that management practices in Korean broiler farms certified for animal welfare have clear effects on blood parameters, meat quality and content of bioactive compounds compared to conventional farms. The authors attribute  these improvements to plant-based protein supplements and the increase in space for movement due to the low stocking densities in the certified farms.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Carcass quality, Livestock farming system

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Assessing welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score

Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Ida Sofie Thuesen, Helena Mejer, Jørgen Steen Agerholm, Stine Thorsø Nielsen, Pikka Jokelainen, Stig Milan Thamsborg, Peter Sandøe

Published in 2023

Scientific paper showing that there is a co-occurrence of a low body condition score (BCS) and health factors in unsocialized, ownerless domestic cats in Denmark. These factors include the presence of skin and ear ectoparasites, gastrointestinal disorders, dental lesions, and a positive FIV test. The authors conclude that a low CCN may indicate more than the stage of emaciation,also indicating less visible welfare impairments.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Felines

Keywords:Abandonment, Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adoption, Societal issues, Population management

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Behavior of dairy cows managed outdoors in winter: Effects of weather and paddock soil conditions

Heather W. Neave, Karin E. Schütz, Dawn E. Dalley

Published in 2022

A scientific paper to determine the effects of weather and paddock soil conditions on the lying, feeding and rumination behavior of dairy cows kept in the open during winter. The authors show that in bad weather or muddy soil conditions, resting periods were shortened or even non-existent. They suggest that previous rainfall events and the presence of surface water should be used as indicators that resting times, and hence the welfare of outdoor dairy cows, may be negatively impacted.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Living environment, Resilience

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Developing a tool to assess the health-related quality of life in calves with respiratory disease: content validation

D.J. Bell, B. Vigors, C.-A. Duthie, D.J. Bartram, A. Hancock, I. Odeyemi, C. Penny, M.J. Haskell

Published in 2022

Scientific article on the validation of the contents of a tool to measure health-related quality of life in calves with respiratory disease. Using a survey and focus groups, the authors evaluated the usefulness of 23 indicators with stakeholders. The following indicators were selected: nasal discharge, coughing, respiratory effort, eye appearance (discharge and brightness), body and head posture and ear position; movement towards feed, responsiveness, spatial proximity, volume of feed intake, motivation to feed and vitality.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators

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When Do We Start Caring About Insect Welfare?

Tina Klobučar, David N. Fisher 

Published in 2023

Article addressing welfare issues for insects in light of increases in insect farming and consumption, their potential as an alternative source of protein for human and animal food, and their cognitive and sensory abilities suggested by the scientific data.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Insects

Keywords: Pain, Societal issues

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Is a mounted award ceremony in equestrian sport relevant to animal welfare?

H. Gehlen, C. Thöne-Reineke, R. Merle, S. Pichon, H. Linnenbrügger

Published in 2023

Scientific article providing the results of a survey of competitive and show riders on the risks of damage to the welfare of horses, riders and spectators during equestrian award ceremonies. Riders feel greater stress during warm-up and competition than during the award ceremony, while horses display the greatest stress during the lap of honor. Risk of injury, mostly in the form of kicking by stressed horses, is considered to be higher during prize giving.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Anxiety, Societal issues, Risk management, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Horse welfare: A joint assessment of four categories of behavioural indicators using the AWIN protocol, scan sampling and surveys

A. Ruet, C. Arnould, J. Lemarchand, C. Parias, N. Mach, M.-P. Moisan, A. Foury, C. Briant, L. Lansade

Published in 2023

Scientific paper testing whether AWIN, scan sampling for behavioural observations, and surveys are effective methods to assess four categories of behavioral indicators for poor welfare: stereotypies, aggression toward humans, lack of responsiveness to the environment, and hypervigilance. It concludes that the 3 methods are complementary and should be used together to properly assess these four categories of indicators.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Welfare indicators

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Automatic monitoring and detection of tail-biting behavior in groups of pigs using video-based deep learning methods

Franziska Hakansson, Dan Børge Jensen

Published in 2023

Scientific paper developing computer visualization methods for the early detection of tail biting in pigs. The authors use a convolutional neural network to extract spatial data, combined with secondary networks to take account of temporal data.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Societal issues, Mutilation, Stress

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Domestic dog lineages reveal genetic drivers of behavioral diversification

Emily V. Dutrow, James A. Serpell, Elaine A. Ostrander

Published in 2022

Scientific paper to identify genetic factors in canine behavior and understand the relationships between dog breeds and the behaviors that define them. Genetic analysis shows that the diversification of canine behavior pre-dates the creation of modern breeds and that canine genetic diversity is associated with the co-expression of neurodevelopmental genes.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Herding dogs, Neurogenesis, Human-animal relationships

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