Keywords: Adaptation of the environment to the animal

The Impact of the current housing and husbandry systems on the health and welfare of farmed domestic rabbits

EFSA

Published in 2005

Preview:  “In this Opinion, based on the scientific data as well as the experience of the Working Group’s Report we draw some conclusions and make recommendations as well as giving pointers for future research. Overall there is a serious lack of information and scientific studies on the farming of this species compared with other farmed species, particularly on welfare. While there are few data on the types of rabbit farming systems it can be generally considered to be intensive with rabbits being reared in cages rather than being kept in large areas equivalent to a free-range style as with some other farmed species. The Panel recommends that such data be collected.”

Document Types: Opinions

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

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Human-animal relationships: five scenarios for 2030

MAAF's Centre for Studies and Prospective Studies

Published in 2016

Five prospective scenarios for Human-animal relationships in French society

Document Types: Technical review

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Biodiversity, Wildlife population dynamics, Societal issues, Environment, Modelling, Human-animal relationships

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Prévenir la douleur chez le porc

IFIP/Chambres Agriculture/INRA/ RMT animal welfare

Published in 2018

The document contains 16 practical fact sheets to help producers to master tail cutting techniques that reduce the pain experienced by the piglet and to carry out actions to mitigate the risk factors for tail biting, or prevent them arising

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Pain, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Memory, Mutilation, Neurogenesis, Fear, Cognitive processes, Resilience

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Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for pigs

Antoni Dalmau, Antonio Velarde, Kamara Scott, Sandra Edwards

Published in 2009

This document sets out the indicators used to assess welfare in pig production (breeding sows, growing pigs), including the rearing and abattoir phases. The chosen indicators concern the resources available to the animal (housing, activities), measurements taken from the animal, and a qualitative evaluation. The document explains registration procedures, qualitative and frequency scoring methods and the aggregation of criteria from four of the five domains of welfare: nutrition, environment, health and appropriate behaviours. 

Document Types: Technical work

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Livestock buildings, Pain, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Restraint equipment, Living environment, Mutilation, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for poultry

Andy Butterworth, Cecile Arnould, Thea Fiks-van Niekerk...

Published in 2009

The document sets out the indicators used to assess the welfare of poultry (broiler and laying hens), including the rearing and abattoir phases. The chosen indicators concern the resources available to the animal (housing, activities), measurements taken from the animal, and a qualitative evaluation. The document explains registration procedures, qualitative and frequency scoring methods, and the aggregation of criteria from four of the five domains of welfare: nutrition, environment, health and appropriate behaviours.

Document Types: Technical work

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Livestock buildings, Pain, Enrichment, Environment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Restraint equipment, Living environment, Mutilation, Fear, Human-animal relationships, Stress

General Principles for the welfare of animals in production systems: the underlying science and its application

Fraser D., Duncan I.J.H., Edwards S.A., Grandin T., Gregory N.G., Guyonnet V., Hemsworth P.H., Huertas S.M., Huzzey J.M., Mellor D.J., Mench J.A., Spinka M., Whay H.R.,

Published in 2013

Presentation of the 10 general principles relating to welfare in production systems adopted by the OIE for the development of standards

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Pain, Enrichment, Environment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment,Mutilation, Fear, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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Le bien-être animal : de la science au droit

Hild S., Schweitzer L.

Published in 2018

Researchers, experts and members of the European Commission and the French Ministry of Agriculture provide an array of answers to key questions: what scientific definition should be given to animal welfare? On what criteria should it be assessed? What national or international rights do respondents take into account? Which animals are involved? What are the obstacles to ensuring the welfare of animals? The answers provided here will strengthen the next steps towards new regulatory provisions.

Document Types: Scientific work

Animal categories: Monogastrics, Ruminants

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system

Social acceptability of farmed animals in France: inventory and analysis of the main controversies based on the views of different stakeholders

Delanoue E., Roguet C.

Published in 2015

In a context where livestock farming and its practices are frequently called into question, an analysis of the points of disagreement in different sectors (pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep and goats) was carried out within the framework of the Elevages Demain Scientific Interest Group (GIS). A literature review was conducted to understand the basis for social concerns about livestock farming and assess their robustness. At the same time, some thirty interviews were conducted with various stakeholders involved in the debates - professionals in the sector, employees of voluntary associations, journalists and distributors - in order to identify and describe the main areas of contention over livestock farming in France. The work highlights strongly-held and long-standing concerns on the part of the public with regard to livestock farming, which cannot be dismissed as the consequences of 'fads'. 

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Environment, Livestock farming system

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Abreuvement des porcs dans le cadre du bien-être animal

ANSES

Published in 2016

The report addresses the watering of pigs, focusing on those with a soup feeding system and taking into account the different stages of rearing (post-weaning and fattening piglets, pregnant and lactating sows, etc). The experts stressed the importance of the economic issue with regard to the watering of pigs on the farm, but this economic analysis was outside the scope of the expertise. The expertise focused on the production of liquid manure in pig farming in connection with watering systems, but without analyzing the environmental side of its management. The supply of sufficient quantities of water is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis and the survival of the individual. Only permanent access to drinking water allows the physiological needs of pigs to be met flexibly and individually at all times. It also enables the animal to cope with risky situations, for example, when it is hot or when it is suffering from disorders (illness, intoxication, behaviour, etc.). Moreover, permanent access to water can contribute to a state of satiation when the animal is subjected to food rationing. Permanent access to water, together with regular checks on the quantities taken, can be a warning and prevention sign of the appearance of health and welfare problems. In the case of liquid feed without the presence of a supplementary drinking trough, most of the water needs are covered for most animals. However, this type of feed does not allow permanent access to water and therefore does not allow animals to drink systematically as soon as they are thirsty. Water can be provided in the trough, but it must guarantee the permanent presence of drinking water. To ensure adequate watering with troughs, it is necessary to ensure that their design, positioning and operation guarantee optimal access regardless of the physiological stage of the animals. In the absence of manipulable materials in the pens, the drinking trough may be the target of redirected behaviour, linked to frustrated investigative behaviour (cf. Anses opinion 2013-SA-018020). Such use diverts the function of the water trough as a drinking system and may result in restricted access to water for some pigs despite a permanent supply. The introduction of water troughs in soup feeding systems may lead to an increase in the amount of water in the manure produced. However, solutions to this problem include reducing the dilution rate of the soup where technically feasible in the farm (e.g. reducing "wastage" by optimising the design and flow rate of drinkers, covering slurry pits, etc.). The experts also recommend promoting the acquisition of technical references (water flows, number of pigs per trough...) on complementary watering. At the same time, an awareness programme for farmers should be developed on the importance of watering in terms of animal health and welfare. This programme should be accompanied by technical recommendations and accompanying measures to facilitate the introduction of watering systems.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Environment, Housing, Living environment, Stress

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Drinking water for liquid-fed pigs

Meunier-Salaün M.C., Chiron J. , Etore F., Fabre A., Laval A., Pol F., Prunier A., Ramonet Y., Nielsen B.

Published in 2017

Liquid feed can provide pigs with sufficient water to remain hydrated and prevent prolonged thirst. However, any lack of permanent access to fresh water prevents animals from drinking when they are thirsty. In addition, individual differences between pigs in a pen can result in the uneven distribution of water from liquid feeds, preventing some pigs from meeting their water needs. In this review, we examine the need for and provision of water for liquid-fed pigs in terms of production performance, behaviour, health and welfare. We highlight factors that may lead to water ingestion above or below requirements. Increased water requirements can be caused by several factors such as morbidity, ambient temperature or competition within the social group, underlining the need for permanent access to water, also provided for in EU legislation. Drinking animals may be the target of redirected behaviour in response to feeding restrictions or in the absence of rooting materials, thus leading to water losses. Water supply systems and the design of water troughs are essential components in ensuring easy access to water, regardless of the physiological condition of the pig, and in reducing water use, which has no benefit for the pig.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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