Keywords: Welfare indicators

Colloque BOW : Le bâtiment d’élevage, point de rencontre entre l’homme et l’animal

Yannick Ramonet, Frédéric Kergourlay, Vanessa Lollivier

Published in 2024

Conference proceedings from the BOW symposium co-organized by the BATICE and One Welfare RMTs on February 14 and 15, 2024 in Rennes.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal,Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Enrichment, Housing, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders, Education, Precision farming, Societal issues, Livestock housing, Livestock farming system

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The potential of pumice as a litter material and its influence on growth performance, carcass parameters, litter quality traits, behavior, and welfare in broiler chickens

Duman, M., Şekeroğlu, A. & Tainika, B

Published in 2024

Scientific study showing the potential of pumice as a bedding material to improve the zootechnical performance, behavior and welfare of broiler chickens. The article concludes that acid pumice, either on its own or mixed with wood shavings, would provide a reliable litter material, replacing wood shavings.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

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

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Enrichment materials for sows during pregnancy - Short review

Schubbert Antje, Spoolder Hans, Pedersen Lene

Published in 2024

Summary of the different types of enrichment (materials, objects, substrates) that can be  given to sows during gestation, and the recommended methods for their provision. 

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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Assessing Giraffe Welfare During Seasonal Habitat Changes in Northern US Zoos

Razal, C., Bryant, J., & Miller, L.

Published in 2024

Multi-criteria study of behavioral observations, hormonal monitoring and decubitus rates as a means to assess giraffe welfare, comparing summer outdoor habitats and winter indoor quarters at several zoological institutions. The results suggest that housing giraffes indoors does not compromise their welfare, since positive effects were observed in both indoor and outdoor surroundings.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife, Ruminants

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

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Producer perceptions of dairy calf management, behavior, and welfare

S.B. Doyle, C.L. Wickens, J.M.C. Van Os, E.K. Miller-Cushon

Published in 2024

Results of a survey to gain an understanding of dairy calf farmers' perceptions of the management, behavior and welfare of their animals. Farmers seemed to attach great importance to the welfare of their calves. Those who installed group housing were more interested in the subjective welfare of their calves. Individual perceptions of animal welfare would appear to depend on the respondents' practical experience.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships, livestock farming system

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Indicator factsheets (EURCAW-Poultry-SFA)

EURCAW-Poultry-SFA

Published in 2024

Technical data sheets published by EURCAW-Poultry-SFA containing the main indicators for the assessment of the state of consciousness of broilers and turkeys, the "iceberg" indicators to assess severe pecking, feather cleanliness, foot pad dermatitis in broilers and leg lesions at slaughter in laying hens.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Animal-based measurements, Pain, Education, Euthanasia, Welfare indicators, Mutilation, Vocalisation

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Ad libitum feeding systems for lactating sows: effects on productivity and welfare of sows and piglets

Sarah C. Gorr, Christine Leeb, Werner Zollitsch, Christoph Winckler, Thomas D. Parsons

Published in 2024

Scientific article evaluating the effects of three ad libitum feeding systems on the productivity and welfare of suckling sows. Results show that sows fed ad libitum convert feed more efficiently for better piglet growth without additional weight loss. With these systems, sows spend more time feeding, which would meet the pigs' behavioral need to forage.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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The behavior and welfare of neglected species: some examples from fish and mammals

Bukhari SSUH, Parkes RSV, Sneddon LU, McElligott AG

Published in 2024

Synthesis of concepts and methods for assessing animal welfare through the study of behavior, illustrated by work on certain "neglected" species (buffalo, camels, donkeys, mules and lumpfish). The authors conclude that there is an extreme lack of balance in the species generally studied in research on animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Camelids, Equines, Fish, Ruminants

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

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What We (Don't) Know about Parrot Welfare: A Systematic Literature Review

Andrea Piseddu, Yvonne van Zeeland, and Jean-Loup Rault

Published in 2024

Synthesis of the scientific literature examining potential welfare indicators applicable to pet parrots. The study identifies indicators such as behavioral changes (activity level, social interactions, exploration), body measurements (weight, plumage condition) and abnormal behaviors. These results serve as a starting point for work on a species that is rarely studied. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Behavioural disorders

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Air bubble curtain improves the welfare of captive rainbow trout fry and fingerlings

Océane Amichaud, Thomas Lafond, Georgina Lea Fazekas, Aude Kleiber, Thierry Kerneis, Axel Batard, Lionel Goardon, Laurent Labbé, Sophie Lambert, Sylvain Milla, Violaine Colson

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing that the repeated diffusion of bubbles in a tank improved the welfare of rainbow trout. The short-term (~7 weeks) and long-term (~21 weeks) enrichment effects were similar to those observed with more conventional environmental enrichment (provision of plants and shelter). The fish were less aggressive, less fearful and showed enhanced learning abilities.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Learning, training, Enrichment, Wefare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Behavioural disorders, Stress

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