Keywords: Welfare indicators

Social networks of pregnant gilts during outdoor feeding and the effects on their offspring

Leandro Sabei, Marisol Parada Sarmiento, Cihan Çakmakçı, Sharacely de Souza Farias, Thiago Bernardino, Rosangela Poletto, Erika Alejandra Becerra Mendez, Beatriz Kaori, Adroaldo José Zanella

Published in 2024

Study examining the social dynamics of gilts through pregnancy in an outdoor system, analyzing their feeding and social behaviors, and the effects of these dynamics on the group and their offspring. Results show links between social rank, salivary cortisol levels and piglet weight, highlighting the importance of integrating social behavior into management and genetic selection practices to improve pig welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressivity, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Maternity, Personality, Prenatal issues, Socialization

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Positive welfare in dairy cows: role of the vet

Russell, A; Randall, L; Green, M; Thompson, J

Published in 2024

Article summarizing the tools available to veterinarians to assess and promote the positive welfare of dairy cows on farms.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Discourses on Positive Animal Welfare by Sheep Farmers and Industry Actors: Implications for Science and Communication

Muhammad, M., Stokes, J.E., Manning, L., Huang, I.Y.

Published in 2024

Qualitative study of sheep farmers' understanding of the concept of positive animal welfare in the UK. The findings highlight the importance of practical indicators and improved knowledge dissemination strategies to align practice with theory.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Education, Welfare indicator, One Welfare

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Welfare and stress of horses used for Equine-assisted services: A systematic review

Bethany H. Baxley, Howard Rodriguez-Mori, Nichole C. Anderson

Published in 2024

Systematic review summarizing the existing literature on the stress and welfare of horses involved in equine assistance services (EAS). According to the 28 articles identified, behavioral and health problems are those most frequently encountered in EAS centers, leading to a high turn-over of horses. The study reveals gaps in existing research and urges that more high-quality research should be carried out.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Working animals, Animal mediation, Livestock buildings, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Working animals, Living environment, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Closing the Gaps in Fish Welfare: The Case for More Fundamental Work Into Physical Enrichment

Helen C. Spence-Jones - Joachim G. Frommen - Nick A. R. Jones

Published in 2024

Summary of the various research studies carried out on use of physical enrichment in fish farming to improve fish welfare. Although research on fish welfare remains limited, the authors note an increase in publications on the subject. Efforts are still needed to diversify the range of welfare indicators used (beyond the common metrics of growth and behavior).

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Insights into Decapod Sentience: Applying the General Welfare Index (GWI) for Whiteleg Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei - Boone, 1931) Reared in Aquaculture Grow-Out Ponds

Pedrazzani, A.S.; Cozer, N.; Quintiliano, M.H.; Ostrensky, A.

Published in 2024

Study adapting the General Welfare Index (GWI) for shrimp Penaeus vannamei, integrating 31 specific indicators, to better manage their welfare in aquaculture.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Crustaceans

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders

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Perch shape and material affect perch use and health parameters of laying hens during the rearing and laying phase

Ariane Stratmann, Nadine Ringgenberg

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the influence of different types of perches on the behavior and health of laying hens, and showing that age, breed and type of perch affect their use.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Behavioural disorders

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A review and future trends of precision livestock over dairy and beef cow cattle with artificial intelligence

Álvaro Michelena, Óscar Fontenla-Romero, José Luis Calvo-Rolle

Published in 2024

Sitrep on technological advances in precision farming (sensors and AI), now essential tools to  monitor herd health and detect anomalies at an early stage.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farmingWelfare indicators, livestock farming systemBehavioural disorders

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Effects of space allowance on patterns of activity in group-housed dairy calves

M.B. Ugarte Marin, K.N. Gingerich, J. Wang, H. Yu, E.K. Miller-Cushon

Published in 2024

Study showing that increasing the space allocated to group-housed dairy calves reduces individual variability and can promote more synchronous resting. Calves get up and lie down less often, and are forced to make use of all available space when it is restricted.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Behavioural disorders

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Novel enrichment reduces boredom-associated behaviors in housed dairy cows

Alison L. Russell, Laura V. Randall, Nikki Eyre, Jasmeet Kaler, Martin J. Green

Published in 2024

Study showing that enrichment of the environment with a novel object reduces non-activity and milking refusals while increasing self-groomimg in dairy cows, indicating that such enrichments can alleviate boredom.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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