Keywords: Welfare indicators

Review: The influence of light on pig welfare

A.J. Scaillierez, S.E. van Nieuwamerongen - de Koning, I.J.M.M. Boumans, P.P.J. van der Tol, E.A.M. Bokkers

Published in 2024

Scientific review examining the effects of light on pig welfare. The analysis examined 63 studies evaluating parameters such as daylight hours, light intensity and light spectrum. Although light influences aspects such as behavior, growth and hormone secretion, the conclusions that can be drawn are limited by contradictory results and a lack of data, particularly concerning the light spectrum.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Aggressivity, Welfare indicators, Housing

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Review: Space allowance for growing pigs: animal welfare, performance and on-farm practicality

K.L. Chidgey

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis exploring the scientific basis of the most common approaches to determining minimum space allowances for growing pigs, and examining the various factors that influence and interact with their spatial needs and affective states.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Resilience, Robustness, livestock farming system

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Environmental Enrichment in Rabbit Husbandry: Comparative Impacts on Performance and Welfare

El-Sabrout K., Sherasiya A.; Ahmad S., Aggag S., Nannoni E., Cavallini D., Buonaiuto G.

Published in 2024

Summary article describing environmental stress and its negative impacts on rabbit welfare and productivity, causing disease and problem behavior. Environmental enrichment helps reduce this stress by meeting the natural behavioral needs of rabbits, thereby improving their welfare and performance.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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A five-domains assessment of sow welfare in a novel free farrowing system

Kate Plush, David Lines, Lauren Staveley, Darryl D'Souza, Robert van Barneveld

Published in 2024

Study showing that sows housed in a maternity ring (MR) have better welfare than those in farrowing crates, with fewer frustration-related behaviors and injuries and less medication required for piglets. Assessment using the five-domain framework reveals a more positive emotional state for sows housed in MR.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, Fear, Behavioural disorders

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Heat stress measuring methods in dairy cows

Alessandra Aloia, Aristide Maggiolino, Lucrezia Forte, Pasquale De Palo

Published in 2024

Study exploring predictors other  than the temperature-humidity index (THI) to assess heat stress in cattle. Other early predictors use non-invasive, animal-based strategies, thanks to precision breeding technologies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Living environment, Robustness, Stress

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Combining Automated Behaviour Recognition and Physiological Data to Characterize Heat Tolerance and Animal Welfare in Growing Pigs

Poullet Nausicaa, Guichard Johanna, Beramice David, Dantec Laurent, Gourdine Jean-Luc, Bonneau Mathieu

Published in 2024

Study combining computer visual monitoring and temperature measurements to monitor the behavior and thermoregulation of 22 pigs exposed to tropical temperatures (ranging from 20.3 to 27.9°C) and thermoneutral conditions (22°C). Pigs exposed to heat stress spent more time lying on their sides to dissipate heat, and a thermal discomfort index (HDI) was created to assess the impact on their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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Attitudes and professional values of veterinarians and veterinary students toward positive welfare states for dairy cattle

M.W. Brunt, D.B. Haley, S.J. LeBlanc, D.F. Kelton

Published in 2024

Study showing that beef veterinarians and veterinary students in Canada have attitudes and professional values that are favorable to positive welfare in dairy cows. However, they are unsure of their own ability to influence changes in current practices to improve welfare. The main barriers identified are practicality, resistance to change and concern for the animal.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Education, Welfare indicators, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships

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Neigh-bours: Why every young horse needs good friends. A pilot study during the breaking-in period

Anna Flamand, Cheyenne Zellenka, Juliette Mos, Audrey Starczan, Aurélien Polak, Odile Petit

Published in 2024

Study showing that young horses benefiting from daily social interaction during breaking-in show less abnormal behavior and stress than those isolated in individual stalls. The routine integration of social contact improves the welfare and relaxation of horses during training, suggesting that this feature could be beneficial in equestrian centers.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Animalhousing, Animal mediation, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress, Behavioural disorders, Working animals

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Effect of different LED light colors on welfare, performance, some behavioral patterns, and blood parameters of Muscovy ducks

Eman Hefnawy, Eman Elgazzar, Ahmed Sabek, Saeed El-laithy, Souad Ahmed

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the impact of different LED light colors on the welfare of Muscovy ducks. Blue light proved particularly beneficial, reducing feather pecking, tonic immobility time, and cortisol levels, while it improved feather condition without affecting growth.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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

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Using Different Cage Enrichments to Improve Rabbits' Performance, Behavior, and Welfare

Elsayed M, Soliman F, Elghalid O, El-Sabrout K.

Published in 2024

Study examining the impact of different environmental enrichments on rabbits, such as rubber flooring, colored plastic balls, and mirrors. Results showed that balls and mirrors improved body weight, carcass quality and physiological parameters, while reducing stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

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