Keywords : Lactation

Nest-building behavior of sows on jute bags: correlations with traits recorded around parturition and potentials as a selection criterion

Jinhyeon Yun, Kirsi-Marja Swan, Kirsi Vienola, Chantal Farmer, Claudio Oliviero, Olli Peltoniemi, Anna Valros

Published in 2024

Study on the use of burlap bags by sows during farrowing. Suspended bags were those mostly manipulated by the animals. Bag use by sows was correlated with farrowing progress and the number of piglets that died at birth.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Maternity

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How is pig welfare assessed in studies on farrowing housing systems? A systematic review

Bianca Vandresen, Jen-Yun Chou, Maria José Hötzel

Published in 2024

Systematic review analyzing methods to assess the welfare of sows and piglets in different housing systems in the period around farrowing and lactation: it looks at conventional farrowing crates and alternative systems (loose farrowing pens, group housing, outdoor farrowing, hinged crates and ellipsoid crates).

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of th animal to environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, One Welfare, Stress, livestock farming system

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Effects of different tooth grinding procedures on the occurrence of tooth injuries, skin lesions, performance and behaviour of suckling piglets

Franziska Anna kleine Kruthaup, Michaela Fels, Carolin Bernarda Timphaus, Fritjof Freise, Swetlana Herbrandt, Elisabeth große Beilage

Published in 2024

Scientific article analysing the impacts of teeth grinding techniques for piglets on piglet and sow lesions, and on the weight development and behavior of unweaned piglets. A diamond rolling head caused more dental pulp injuries than a tea cup roller. Roller grinding caused fewer head lesions in piglets than when teeth were left intact. Weight gain in piglets with tea cup-ground teeth was greater than for the two other groups. Where necessary, tooth grinding with a cup wheel is to be preferred.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressiveness, Pain, Lactation, Maternity, Mutilation

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Understanding dairy farmers' trade-offs between environmental, social and economic sustainability attributes in feeding systems: The role of farmers' identities

Oyakhilomen Oyinbo, Helena Hansson

Published in 2024

Sociological survey of dairy farmers highlighting the trade-offs they face in adopting sustainable production practices. Farmers concerned about the impact of their feeding systems on the environment and society are motivated above all by their pro-environmental and pro-social identities. The strengthening of identity could be part of a political argument to encourage the adoption of grassland systems.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Biodiversity, Environment, Lactation, Living environment, One Welfare, Pollution, Societal issues, livestock farming system

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Music enrichment improves the behavior and leukocyte profile of dairy cattle

Esmeralda G. Contreras-Torres, Juan F. Hernández-Chavez, Carlos A. Díaz-Quiroz, Ramón Molina-Barrios, Paulina Arrayales Millán, Ruth G. Ulloa-Mercado

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing the positive effect of music on cows' willingness to enter the milking parlour and on their blood leukocyte profile.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements,Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Lactation, Housing

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Impact of farrowing system and prepartum nest-building material on nest-building behaviour and farrowing in sows

V.M. Hukkinen, C. Munsterhjelm, M. Kurtti, N. Immonen, A. Valros

Published in 2024

Scientific article analyzing the impact of farrowing cages and a variety of materials provided to sows to express their nesting behavior (straw, newspaper, burlap). The article shows that free farrowing has positive effects on piglet growth, but negative effects on piglet survival in early lactation. The different nesting materials have varying effects depending on the type of farrowing system.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, Prenatal issues, Behavioural disorders

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Dairy farmers' preferences for immediate versus late calf separation

Albert Boaitey

Published in 2024

Analysis of a survey carried out in the US to gain an understanding of dairy calf farmers' perceptions of the practice of allowing prolonged contact between mother and calf. The survey concludes that the foster cow system was the preferred alternative to conventional early separation, followed by restricted suckling systems. The lowest-ranked alternative system was free contact between calf and mother.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Lactation, Housing, Maternity, One Welfare, Human-animal relationships, Weaning, Livestock farming system

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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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Stress related to wild canid predators near dairy sheep farms associated with increased somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk

Eleni I. Katsarou, Neil Reid , Daphne T. Lianou, George C. Fthenakis

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing that the presence of predatory wild canids near sheep farms is associated with poorer milk quality, suggesting stress in ewes.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canines, Sheep

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Biodiversity, Environment, Population management, Lactation, Living environment, , Stress

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The links between positive human interaction and maternal behaviour and welfare of commercial breeding dams (Canis familiaris)

Uri Baqueiro-Espinosa, Paul Donnelly, Victoria McEvoy, Gareth Arnott

Published in 2024

Scientific article showing the positive effect of social enrichment (positive human-animal interactions) during gestation on a bitch's maternal behavior and on stress as measured by capillary cortisol levels.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Lactation, Maternity, Prenatal issues, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress

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