Keywords: Enrichment

Practical guide setting out the results of an experiment to test the effects of lavender essential oil on young cattle at the beginning of fattening. It was found to have no effect on stress or the prevention of respiratory diseases, but it did increase GMQ by 200 g during the first month of fattening.

Scientific paper examining the influence of the nature and presentation of enrichment when feeding pregnant sows in open access stalls. It looks at the four scenarios of rotation of various enrichments, rotation with sound stimulus at the point that enrichment type is changed, no rotation, and no enrichment. Sows preferred the rotational systems, including straw, and the level of stress and lesions was the same between dominant and dominated sows, showing the usefulness of this system in reducing stress and aggression.

Scientific study of the impact of research carried out at INRAE over the last 30 years with the aim of improving the welfare of farm animals. This research has led to the implementation of new national and European regulations, and the adoption of new practices and equipment in animal husbandry.

Activity report for 2021, including descriptions of projects related to animal welfare led by Ifip.

Announcement of updates to the FAQ aiming to provide ongoing clarifications on the regulations, agreed between the Government and the Profession, so that its application in the field can be harmonised.  It is national in scope and has no regulatory value

Scientific paper assessing the well-being of dogs in Italian shelters, using oxidative stress and behavioural indicators. Dogs that regularly left their crates for a walk were less anxious, more sociable towards other dogs, and had higher antioxidant capacities.

Scientific study showing that, while unsuitable housing for pet rabbits is found in the homes of owners of all ages, genders and living standards, certain demographic owner characteristics are more frequently associated with poor housing conditions, creating a useful target audience to improve the welfare of these pets.

Scientific paper describing the behavioural budget of slow-growing male broilers (S757N) in their social group and usual environment throughout the rearing period, and relating observed behavioural differences in use of space. It shows that foraging (pecking and scratching) can be used as a behavioural predictors of range limits in free-range broilers.

Scientific paper showing that the use of runs by free-range broilers is probably related to the individual exploratory character of the animals. It suggests that individual differences between free-range broilers are present even before access is provided to runs.

Scientific paper investigating the effect of an alternative housing system to improve cognitive resilience and also to promote pig welfare. It shows that the provision of social and environmental enrichments, which better meet the basic needs of the animals, appears to be beneficial to the welfare of pigs overall.