Document type : Scientific article

Thoughtful or distant farmer: Exploring the influence of human-animal relationships on rabbit stress, behavior, and emotional responses in two distinct living environments

Manon Fetiveau, Davi Savietto, Andrew M Janczak, Laurence Fortun-Lamothe and Valérie Fillon

Published in 2024

Study showing that rabbits living in simple environments or benefiting from positive human interaction displayed more exploratory and interested behaviors towards humans. The quality of the human-animal relationship and the environment influenced their welfare, with no significant difference in physiological stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress

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On your terms or mine: pigs' response to imposed gentle tactile contact vs. free form interaction with a familiar human

Truong, S., Schmitt, O. & Rault, JL.

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing that there are differences in positive interactions between humans and animals, depending on whether they are free or imposed by the humans.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Vocalisation

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Development of the calf grimace scale for pain and stress assessment in castrated Angus beef calves

Farghal, M., Pajor, E., Luna, S.P.L., Pang D., Windeyer M.C. & Ceballos M.C.

Published in 2024

Scientific study measuring the effectiveness of a Calf Grimace Scale (CGS) for assessing pain and stress. VGS scores increase after castration, but also under the effect of external factors such as separation from the mother. The VGS can therefore identify acute pain and also detect stress in calves.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Castration, Pain, Weaning, Sterilization, Stress

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Insights into Decapod Sentience: Applying the General Welfare Index (GWI) for Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei - Boone, 1931) Reared in Aquaculture Grow-Out Ponds

Pedrazzani, A.S.; Cozer, N.; Quintiliano, M.H.; Ostrensky, A.

Published in 2024

Study adapting the General Welfare Index (GWI) for shrimp Penaeus vannamei, integrating 31 specific indicators, to better manage their welfare in aquaculture.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Crustaceans

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

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Perch shape and material affect perch use and health parameters of laying hens during the rearing and laying phase

Ariane Stratmann, Nadine Ringgenberg

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the influence of different types of perches on the behavior and health of laying hens, and showing that age, breed and type of perch affect their use.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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

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Video-based compilation of acute pain behaviours in cats

Sabrine Marangoni, Paulo V Steagall

Published in 2024

Compilation of videos available on the FRCAW educational platform demonstrating acute pain behaviors in cats, to train veterinary professionals in pain assessment.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Felines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Pain, Education, Behavioural disorders

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Effects of space allowance on patterns of activity in group-housed dairy calves

M.B. Ugarte Marin, K.N. Gingerich, J. Wang, H. Yu, E.K. Miller-Cushon

Published in 2024

Study showing that increasing the space allocated to group-housed dairy calves reduces individual variability and can promote more synchronous resting. Calves get up and lie down less often, and are forced to make use of all available space when it is restricted.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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

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Novel enrichment reduces boredom-associated behaviors in housed dairy cows

Alison L. Russell, Laura V. Randall, Nikki Eyre, Jasmeet Kaler, Martin J. Green

Published in 2024

Study showing that enrichment of the environment with a novel object reduces non-activity and milking refusals while increasing self-groomimg in dairy cows, indicating that such enrichments can alleviate boredom.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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

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How do different amounts of straw as well as compost in the home pen affect the rooting motivation of growing-finishing pigs?

S. Lopez, C. Rufener, M. Holinger

Published in 2024

Study showing that pigs' foraging behavior is better satisfied by housing with permanent access to rooting materials than with minimal amounts of straw.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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The role of ethical orientation in animal welfare choice behaviour: A segmentation study

Anne O. Peschel, Kristina Thomsen, George Tsalis, Klaus G. Grunert

Published in 2025

Scoping review showing that consumers' ethical views (ethical orientation) strongly influence their preferences on animal welfare measures, with a particular focus on access to outdoors for animals.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Bovines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Carcass quality,Livestock buildings, Environment, Housing, Living environment, Pollution, Societal issues, livestock farming system

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