Keywords: Prenatal issues

Consensus sur la définition du bien-être animal positif

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.