Keywords : Housing

How does perception of zoo animal welfare influence public attitudes, experiences, and behavioural intentions? A mixed-methods systematic review

Nicki Phillips, Laëtitia Maréchal, Beth Ventura, Jonathan Cooper

Published in 2024

Systematic study identifying three types of factors that influence negative public perceptions of zoos whose objectives are conservation and education: human (interactions and ethics), animal (behavior and health), and environmental (facility conditions). These negative perceptions reduce the public's commitment to zoos and conservation, necessitating more structured research to improve the validity of the studies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Education, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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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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Horse welfare in semi-extensive system: establishing a welfare protocol and comparing pasture and stable farming systems

Raspa, F, Valle, E, Ozella, L, Bergero, D, Tarantola, M, Necci, A, Bertocchi, L, D'Avino, N, Paniccià, M, De Palo, P, Nannoni, E, Martelli, G, Forte, C

Published in 2024

Study developing a welfare protocol for horses raised for meat in semi-extensive systems, applicable to both pasture and stable housing. Based on an assessment cohort of 429 horses, differences were observed between the pasture and stable systems, mainly related to staff training and the feeding of the horses. This protocol could fill current gaps in equine welfare assessment and help to support veterinary controls.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Working animals, Livestock buildings, Risk management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Animal mediation, livestock farming system

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Welfare assessment of European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) reared in captivity for their subsequent release

Katarina Nenadović, Marijana Vučinić, Ljiljana Janković, Vladimir Drašković, Radislava Teodorović, Milutin Đorđević

Published in 2024

Study of two captive systems for European brown hares bred in Serbia for release and hunting. The study revealed welfare problems such as stereotype behaviors, injuries and poor body condition. These results underline the negative impact of captive breeding on the welfare of hares in Serbia.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Wildlife

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

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The Animal-Welfare Levy

Romain Espinosa, Nicolas Treich

Published in 2024

Article proposing a non-anthropocentric justification for a tax on meat consumption to improve animal welfare. Functioning like a Pigouvian tax, this tax takes into account externalities on farm animals and could make intensive livestock farming unprofitable. Taxes would be particularly high for chickens and pigs, reflecting the differences in welfare between the species.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Livestock buildings, Animal trade, Societal issues, Housing, One Welfare, livestock farming system

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Evaluating a crowding intensity scale and welfare indicators for Atlantic salmon in sea cages

Lars Helge Stien, Jonatan Nilsson, Chris Noble, David Izquierdo-Gomez, Elisabeth Ytteborg, Gerrit Timmerhaus, Angelico Madaro

Published in 2024

Scientific article testing the feasibility of a crowding assessment grid for salmon raised in sea cages. Three levels of crowding intensity were selected to assess their impacts on salmon welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Pain, Housing, Restraint equipment, Stress, Transport, Welfare indicators

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Effects of different rooting materials on behaviour and welfare of finishing pigs

Ellen Marie Rosvold, Marko Ocepek, Inger Lise Andersen

Published in 2024

Scientific article comparing the effects of different foraging materials on pig behavior and welfare. The results suggest that straw and hay are highly valued by pigs compared with pellets, peat and sawdust, and that weekly rotation of materials provides the greatest stimulation. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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Evaluating Potential Indicators of Welfare for Zoo Birds during an Avian Influenza Enforced Housing Order

Thomas Collard, Paul Rose

Published in 2024

Article reporting on the impact of forced confinement due to avian influenza on the behavior of Chilean flamingos in a UK zoo. Confinement decreased flamingo activity and abnormal, reoriented foraging actions were recorded. Weather also influenced plumage condition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

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

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Behaviour and welfare assessment of autochthonous slow-growing rabbits: The role of housing systems

Laura Ozella, Stefano Sartore, Elisabetta Macchi, Isabella Manenti, Silvia Mioletti, Barbara Miniscalco, Riccardo Crosetto, Patrizia Ponzio, Edoardo Fiorilla, Cecilia Mugnai

Published in 2024

Scientific article evaluating the effect of three housing systems (traditional single cages, group farming and a mixed system) on the welfare of slow-growing rabbits. Group-housed rabbits exhibited a wider range of behaviors, but were also associated with higher levels of salivary and hair corticosterone indicating stress. Younger rabbits were more active while mature rabbits displayed more agonistic behaviors.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

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Evaluation of candidate data-based welfare indicators for calves in Switzerland

Sibylle Zwygart, Barbara Lutz, Beat Thomann, Dimitri Stucki, Mireille Meylan, Jens Becker

Published in 2024

Article showing that the four principles of Welfare Quality that indicate good animal welfare, namely "good feed", "good housing", "good health" and "appropriate behavior", are not reflected in routinely available data on veal calf farms in Switzerland, even though data for health status assessment is available. If animal welfare is to be inferred from routine data, there is a need to adapt data collection strategies and animal identification methods.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Carcass quality, Livestock farming system, Behavioural disorders, Welfare indicators

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