Key words: Prenatal

A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare

Rault Jean-Loup, Bateson Melissa, Boissy Alain, Forkman Björn, Grinde Bjørn, Gygax Lorenz, Harfeld Jes Lynning, Hintze Sara, Keeling Linda J., Kostal Lubor, Lawrence Alistair B., Mendl Michael T., Miele Mara, Newberry Ruth C., Sandøe Peter, Špinka Marek, Taylor Alex H., Webb Laura E., Whalin Laura and Jensen Margit Bak

Published in 2025

Consensus sur la définition du bien-être animal positif

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Consciousness, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Memory, Prenatal, Cognitive processes, Evolutionary processes

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European Parliament: written answer to Question E-001843/2024: Banning chick culling in the EU

Question: Pascal Arimont (PPE). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

Published in 2024

Question from an MEP to the European Commission on the culling of day-old male chicks in some Member States, despite the existence of in-ovo sexing technologies and answer from the Commission stating that it is examining this issue on the basis of EFSA Opinions and impact studies, with a view to including a harmonized ban in forthcoming legislation on animal welfare.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Pain, Euthanasia, Abuse, Prenatal

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Social networks of pregnant gilts during outdoor feeding and the effects on their offspring

Leandro Sabei, Marisol Parada Sarmiento, Cihan Çakmakçı, Sharacely de Souza Farias, Thiago Bernardino, Rosangela Poletto, Erika Alejandra Becerra Mendez, Beatriz Kaori, Adroaldo José Zanella

Published in 2024

Study examining the social dynamics of gilts through pregnancy in an outdoor system, analyzing their feeding and social behaviors, and the effects of these dynamics on the group and their offspring. Results show links between social rank, salivary cortisol levels and piglet weight, highlighting the importance of integrating social behavior into management and genetic selection practices to improve pig welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressivity, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Maternal, Personality, Prenatal, Socialization

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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

Key words:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurement, Farm buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, Prenatal, Behavioral disorders

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Bien-être des animaux : quels critères scientifiques pour construire un étiquetage des produits alimentaires ? Rapport de l’Anses

Anses

Published in 2024

News item on an Anses report recommending a harmonized comprehensive food product labeling system using animal-based scientific welfare indicators and also take into account the living conditions of their parents.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurement, farm building, Castration, Animal trade, Enrichment, Identification, Housing, Restraint equipment, Living environment, Mutilation, Prenatal, Sterilization, Stress, Livestock system, Transport, Behavioral disorders, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Stop culling male layer-type chick: an overview of the alternatives and public perspective

Francesca Coppola, Gisella Paci, Matteo Profeti, Simone Mancini

Published in 2023

Scientific study summarizing available literature sources on alternatives to the current culling method for male chicks and the public's view of these approaches. In ovo sex determination appears to be the main potential alternative method to the culling of male chicks, and the one preferred by consumers, especially if carried out during the early days of incubation.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Pain, Societal issues, Euthanasia, Prenatal, Farming system

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Assemblée nationale : réponse écrite à la question n°8820 : Mise en application de l’interdiction du broyage des poussins mâles

Question: Josy Poueyto (Démocrate (MoDem et Indépendants) - Pyrénées-Atlantiques). Answer: Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Published in 2024

Answer to a question from a member of parliament asking the Ministry to enforce the ban on crushing male chicks, including regular checks in hatcheries, and to extend the regulations to female ducklings.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Euthanasia, Abuse, Prenatal, Farming system

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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

Key words:Animal adaptation to environment, Enrichment, Lactation, Maternal, Prenatal, Human-animal relationship, Socialization, Stress

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Synthetic and phytogenic antioxidants improve productive performance, antioxidant activity, gene expression, and offspring quality in breeder hens subjected to heat stress

Phocharapon Pasri, Sitthipong Rakngam, Nadine Gérard, Pascal Mermillod, Sutisa Khempaka

Published in 2024

Scientific paper demonstrating the effectiveness of a mixture of synthetic and phytogenic substances in countering the negative effects of heat stress in breeding hens on production, blood chemistry, sperm survival in the oviduct, antioxidant properties, gene expression and offspring quality.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal adaptation to environment, Prenatal, Resilience, Robustness, Stress

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The effect of incubation temperature on the development of the locomotory system and welfare in broiler chickens: A review

Tobias Kettrukat, Ewa Grochowska, Margrethe Therkildsen

Published in 2023

Scientific review providing an overview of the effects of changes in incubation temperature at the beginning, middle and end of embryogenesis, on muscle and bone development in broilers and on their subsequent locomotive abilities. Muscle tissue responds to increased temperature during embryogenesis by proliferating, but this effect depends on the length of exposure.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Animal adaptation to the environment, Living environment, Prenatal, Resilience

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