Keywords: Animal-based measurements

Scientific paper examining whether the tail position of pigs in a pen can be a predictive indicator for the occurrence of tail biting, taking into account the social structure of the group of penned pigs.

A scientific review of the state of the art of 3D imaging systems and 2D cameras as an efficient means to identify pig behaviour. It describes automated methods for the monitoring and study of feeding, watering, lying, locomotion, aggression and reproductive behaviour in pigs.

Scientific paper on work to assess the effects of heat stress on the behaviour of dairy cows using activity sensors to record 6 different behaviours, ambient temperature and humidity. It shows that raised temperatures and a higher heat index lead to an increase in general activity, changes in feeding habits and a decrease in rumination and resting behaviours, all of which are detrimental to animal welfare.

Scientific paper showing that the provision of environmental enrichment for kenneled police dogs has a stress-reducing effect (reduced levels of cortisol metabolites in the stool) and that access to a grassed area reduces the frequency of stereotypic behaviours in dogs with strong stereotypical tendencies.

Technical article highlighting the importance of ethology in improving pig production. A better understanding of sow ethology can improve animal welfare, management, reproductive efficiency and, therefore, the profitability of the farm. The veterinarian has a new social and educational role to play in improving the welfare of sows and piglets. Staff also need to be trained in ethology, which will enable them to predict the behavioural profile of sows before the first farrowing, improve selection and reduce restraints on animal movement.

Scientific paper highlighting that horses roll more frequently after strenuous exercise or bathing, regardless of weather conditions, whereas mules roll more often after strenuous exercise on hot, humid days or after bathing on cold, dry days. It concludes that rolling is an important and frequent behaviour in domesticated equids that should be allowed to be expressed freely on the farm.

Scientific review describing two promising systems for the automatic recognition of facial expressions of pain in horses. The first is based on a manual classification system that involves machine learning. The second is based on recurrent neural network learning.

Scientific article proposing and testing a scale for acute pain in donkeys during castration. The proposed scale is both reliable and valid.

Scientific paper describing the facial expressions of healthy, pain-free horses before and during transport and social isolation, both of which are potentially stressful management procedures. The following facial features were observed in both cases: increased eye white, dilated nostrils, elevated upper eyelid, elevated inner forehead, exposed tongue, increased ear movements and blinking frequency. Some of these stress markers are already used as indicators of pain.

Scientific article presenting a method of designing breeding and rearing systems that takes into account the animal as a subject, in order to improve animal welfare. Giving an animal the opportunity to influence its environment through choices and decision making according to its own preferences allows the animal to have positive experiences. The aim of the method is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between human goals and animal welfare in future breeding and rearing systems.