Keywords: Living environment

Scientific paper describing the behavioural budget of slow-growing male broilers (S757N) in their social group and usual environment throughout the rearing period, and relating observed behavioural differences in use of space. It shows that foraging (pecking and scratching) can be used as a behavioural predictors of range limits in free-range broilers.

Scientific paper showing that the use of runs by free-range broilers is probably related to the individual exploratory character of the animals. It suggests that individual differences between free-range broilers are present even before access is provided to runs.

Scientific review of the potential animal welfare risks posed by precision farming, whether these are direct, involving  machinery and equipment, technical failures or the poor choice of indicators, or indirect, involving the end-user, changes to animal housing or management, or a reduction in the consideration of ethical issues.  It calls for the systematic consideration of opportunities and risks when using PE techniques.

The report reviews the scientific literature aimed at evaluating the welfare of circus animals using the five-domain method and highlights violations in each of the five areas. It proposes that these results should be taken into account in developing strategies to improve the quality of life of wild animals working in circuses.

Scientific review of the scientific evidence on fish sentience and its implications for the commercial farming of fish. It concludes that there is a need to review the welfare regulations for farmed fish.

Scientific paper presenting the results of a survey of pet snake owners on their housing and husbandry practices. It highlights a number of living environments that do not comply with current regulations and proposes that these results should be used to target rearing advice and to draft new manuals for snake keepers.

Scientific review of the potential ethical implications of new information on parrot cognition for their keeping in captivity.

Scientific paper presenting the results of an online survey on owners' perception of noise anxiety in horses. Two distinct groups of horses are identified - highly anxious and moderately anxious -  and owners describe the management strategies they adopt, discussing their effectiveness. 

Technical report presenting the results of a meta-analysis on the impact of climate change events (e.g. heat stress) on livestock welfare and productivity and on the effect of heat-control strategies on animal performance.

Scientific paper showing that enriching the environment of laying hens by providing pumice stone or alfalfa hay reduces stress and improves production, but does not reduce pecking behaviours.