Document type : Scientific review

Behavioral challenges and welfare implications in lambs raised under intensive dairy sheep production systems

Simeonov M, Harmon DL, and Freitas-de-Melo A

Published in 2026

This scientific review lists the behavioral problems observed in lambs in intensive farming systems and their implications for welfare. It focuses in particular on the natural social and feeding behaviors of lambs in order to establish a framework for understanding their behavioral needs, and identifies practical interventions that can improve both lamb welfare and farm performance.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Ovines

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Invited Review: Precision Livestock Farming Technologies in Swine Intensive Production

Giovanni Buonaiuto, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Simona Belperio, Chris Sanzò, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2026

Scientific synthesis of the use of precision farming technologies, including the use of sensors, automation, and artificial intelligence, to improve monitoring and management in pig farming. It focuses on technologies to monitor health, optimize feeding, control microclimates, and assess pig welfare. It sets out the benefits and limitations of these technologies for intensive pig farming.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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Comparative Effectiveness of Culling and Birth Control in Free-Roaming Animal Management: A Systematic Review

Anastassiya Perfilyeva, Olzhas Zhorayev, Kira Bespalova, Yuliya Perfilyeva

Published in 2026

A systematic review of the scientific literature on the management of stray animals, showing that euthanasia has limited and context-dependent effectiveness, whereas birth control, as part of integrated strategies, yields more consistent and sustainable results across all areas.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

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Review: Free-stall Bedding Management for Enhanced Dairy Cow Health and Welfare

N. Siachos, R.F. Smith, J.M. Neary

Published in 2026

A scientific review of the main properties, benefits, risks, and best management practices associated with bedding materials commonly used in free-stall dairy operations. It concludes that choosing a type of bedding involves balancing the benefits to cow health, farm profitability, and management requirements in order to make an informed decision.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Exploring the relationship between whole carcass condemnations and farm animal welfare: A rapid scoping review

Christine Kuo, Emma G. Gardner, Murray Gillies, Marianne I. Parent

Published in 2026

Literature review showing that data on carcass rejection at abattoirs can serve as an indirect indicator of animal welfare, but studies remain largely European and focus primarily on poultry. Their main focus is on links between animal health status on farms and carcass rejection, whereas research on other welfare factors (diet, housing, behavior, transport) is limited.

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Slaughter, Feeding, Housing, Health / Diseases, Stress, Transport

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Existing Soundscapes and the Impact of Noise on the Welfare of Farmed Salmonids: A Review

Kathy Overton, Tim Dempster, Marco A. Vindas, Frode Oppedal, Luke T. Barrett

Published in 2026

Review of the limited number of studies on hearing in wild and farmed salmonids, with recommendations on steps towards ascertaining and mitigating the impact of the acoustic environment on the welfare of farmed salmonids.

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Emotion, Housing, Stress

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Do windows matter in poultry housing? What welfare and behavior tell us

Tarek Youssef

Published in 2026

Scientific review highlighting that natural light improves behavior and reduces fear in poultry, but that its effects on their health remain unclear.

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Emotion, Enrichment, Well-being indicator, Housing, Health / Medical conditions

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Assessing good physical health and resilience as a foundation for positive welfare in chickens

Lisa Jung, Ruth C. Newberry, Yukari Togami, Manja Zupan Šemrov

Published in 2026

Study proposing anatomical and physiological indicators to assess the health and resilience of chickens, with a view to developing proactive and potentially automated assessment tools to support positive animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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Animal Board Invited Review: Intrinsic hedonic value, complexity, and possibility for action as essential characteristics of a welfare-friendly environment for animals

I. Veissier, C. Terlouw, R. Botreau, V. Deiss, S. Cowie

Published in 2026

Study examining how the hedonic value of the environment determines animal welfare. Welfare depends on a balance between positive emotions, environmental complexity and opportunities for behavioral expression: these factors must be optimized (rather than maximized), since an excess or a deficiency of any one of them can be harmful to welfare, with the optimal level varying by individual.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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Environmental Enrichment in Aquaculture: Linking Welfare Goals to Practical Application

O. Spiliopoulos, S. Kadri, M. Sinclair, M. Vanderzwalmen, C. Brown

Published in 2026

A review summarizing current knowledge on environmental enrichment, a key strategy for improving the welfare of farmed fish. Its effectiveness depends on the specific context and requires a tailored approach.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

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