Keywords: Enrichment

Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review

Céline Van Kerschaver, Diana Turpin, Joris Michiels, John Pluske

Published in 2023

Scientific review of alternative piglet management strategies to reduce weaning stress. These include the pre-weaning grouping of piglets from different litters and intermittent suckling. Their effects on post-weaning pig behavior, performance, mortality, gastrointestinal function and immunocompetence are described.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressivity, Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Weaning, Stress

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On-farm hatching and contact with adult hen post hatch induce sex-dependent effects on performance and welfare in broiler chickens

Laurence A Guilloteau, Aline Bertin, Sabine Crochet, Charlotte Bagnard, Alice Hondelatte, Laure Ravon, Catherine Schouler, Karine Germain, Anne Collin

Published in 2023

Scientific study of the effects of on-farm hatching as opposed to that in a hatchery, including the presence of an adult hen at hatching as an environmental enrichment element, the hatching process, chick quality scores, and chick growth, health and robustness.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Robustness, Livestock farming system

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Integrating Individual Animal and Population Welfare in Zoos and Aquariums

Louis DiVincenti, Jr., Allen McDowell, Elizabeth S. Herrelko

Published in 2023

Article on the links between animal welfare at individual and population levels in zoos and aquariums, and how these two levels can be mutually reinforcing or in conflict.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Living environment

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Models of Conditioned Reinforcement and Abnormal Behaviour in Captive Animals

Vera Vinken, Lena Lidfors, Jenny Loberg, Anna Lundberg, Johan Lind, Markus Jonsson, Stefano Ghirlanda, Magnus Enquist

Published in 2023

Scientific article proposing three models, including conditioned reinforcement, to study the complex relationships between environments, innate predispositions and learning in captive animals, which can lead to the development of stereotypies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders, Societal issues

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000857/23: Supporting the installation of loose-house systems for sows 

Question: Annika Bruna (ID), Eric Minardi (ID), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), France Jamet (ID). Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on the European Commission's plans to provide financial support for the installation of free-range accommodation for sows, and on the introduction of mirror clauses to protect European livestock farmers from competition from third countries with less stringent animal welfare standards.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Societal issues

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Devenir des jeunes ruminants laitiers : comment concilier élevage et attentes sociétales 

Dominique Pomiès, Caroline Constancis, Julien Jurquet, Isabelle Veissier, Hugues Caillat, Gilles Lagriffoul, Marie Drouet, Clément Fossaert, Yannick Le Cozler

Published in 2023

Review of the natural behaviors of young stock from the three major dairy breeds, and of farming practices currently employed for these young animals. It lists alternative practices that can meet the expectations of the public and consumers in terms of animal welfare, as well as those of farmers on improving their profession's public image and the way their products are sold.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines

Keywords: Enrichment, Human-animal relationships, Lactation, Living environment, One Welfare, Weaning, Stress, Livestock farming system,Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-000856/23: Ban on imports of caged poultry

Question: Annika Bruna (ID), Elżbieta Kruk (ECR), Gianantonio Da Re (ID), France Jamet (ID), Eric Minardi (ID). Reply: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2023

Answer to a question on whether the European Commission will ban imports into the EU of poultry raised in cages and in sub-standard conditions.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Enrichment, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system,Societal issues

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Physical and occupational enrichment in ruminants and equines

Raphaëlle Botreau, Valentin Brunet, Clémence Lesimple

Published in 2023

Scientific review examining the specific needs of ruminants and equines, the enrichments studied in the scientific literature and their impact on welfare, knowledge gaps and recommendations for inspections.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Equines, Ruminants

Keywords:Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system

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Run access, hutch size and time-of-day affect welfare-relevant behaviour and faecal corticosterone in pair-housed pet rabbits

Nicola J. Rooney, Paula E. Baker, Emily-Jayne Blackwell, Matthew G. Walker, Siobhan Mullan, Ricahrd A. Saunders, Suzanne D.E. Held

Published in 2023

Scientific article studying the effects of average hutch size and access to an exercise area on the welfare of pet rabbits kept in pairs. It concludes that pet rabbits should be given the freedom to exercise throughout the day, and that hutches of 0.75 m2 are insufficient in size to ensure the welfare of a pair of pet rabbits.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Exotic pets

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Equine Social Behaviour: Love, War and Tolerance

Laura Torres Borda, Ulrike Auer, Florien Jenner

Published in 2023

Systematic review of the literature on ways to assess the social behavior of adult horses. Most ethograms include indicators of agonistic behavior. The authors recommend placing greater emphasis on affiliative and ambivalent interactions and indifference when assessing the social behavior of horses.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Personality, Human-animal relationships, Vocalisation

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