Subject: Food

Does nutrient composition of feedstuffs affect the proportion of oral stereotypies and redirected behaviors among horse working groups?

Farah Hanis, Eric Lim Teik Chung, Mamat Hamidi Kamalludin, ZulkifliI drus

Published in 2021

Scientific paper demonstrating that ration composition and energy intake influence the incidence of oral stereotypies (especially empty chewing) and redirected behaviours (especially bedding consumption) in working horses (leisure, equestrian, patrol and endurance). Endurance horses are the most sensitive to ration composition.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Anxiety, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Stress, Psychiatric disorder

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The effects of farming systems (organic vs. conventional) on dairy cow welfare, based on the Welfare Quality® protocol

K. Wagner, J. Brinkmann, A. Bergschmidt, C. Renziehausen, S. Marcha

Published in 2021

Scientific article comparing the welfare levels of German conventional and organic dairy farms, using the Welfare Quality protocol. It shows that organic farms score better on the 4 main Welfare Quality principles, although there is wide variation between farms operating under the same farming system. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement on organic farms in the area of health.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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The Application of Cameras in Precision Pig Farming: An Overview for Swine-Keeping Professionals

Elanchezhian Arulmozhi, Anil Bhujel, Byeong-Eun Moon, Hyeon-Tae Kim

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the state of the art of 3D imaging systems and 2D cameras as an efficient means to identify pig behaviour. It describes automated methods for the monitoring and study of feeding, watering, lying, locomotion, aggression and reproductive behaviour in pigs.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Stress

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Invited review: Freedom from thirst-Do dairy cows and calves have sufficient access to drinking water?

Margit BakJensen, Mogens Vestergaard

Published in 2021

Scientific review of what is known about the water requirements of 1) young calves, depending on their feeding regime (ad libitum or limited milk), state of health and ambient temperature; 2) dairy cows, depending on their milk yield, feed composition and housing (under cover or on pasture). It concludes that research on the length and positioning of water troughs is needed.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Enrichment, Lactation, Housing, Livestock farming system, Welfare indicators

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Impact of Estrogens Present in Environment on Health and Welfare of Animals

Konrad Wojnarowski, Paweł Podobiński, Paulina Cholewińska, Jakub Smoliński, Karolina Dorobisz

Published in 2021

Scientific review of the harmful effects of oestrogens on animal health and welfare (feminisation, reproductive disorders, physiological disturbances, disruption of programmed cell death, development of tumours). It concludes that there is a lack of scientific data on animals as compared to humans.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Mammals

Keywords:Environment, Livestock farming system

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Guide to good welfare practice for equidae

Horse industry

Published in 2021

The first draft of the Guide de bonnes pratiques pour l’application des engagements de la charte pour le bien-être des équidés was submitted for evaluation to Anses, which issued its opinion in January 2021. This revised version 2.0, which incorporates Anses's recommendations, was validated by the Ministry of Agriculture on 15 July 2021.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Pain

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The Effects of Vehicle Type, Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Feeding on the Welfare of Sheep Transported in Low Temperatures

Francesca Carnovale, Jin Xiao, Binlin Shi, Tanel Kaart, David Arney, Clive J. C. Phillips

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the impact of 3 factors on the welfare of sheep transported in cold weather, and concluding that the animals whose welfare was most affected were those transported in uncovered vehicles, for long periods of time, and without being fed prior to transport.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords: Transport

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Knowledge and Perspectives on the Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs on Farms

Marika Vitali, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the available data on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs, which are reared over a longer period in order to create traditional products and therefore have special needs. The review concludes that there are many information gaps and research is needed to improve the welfare of this particular pig population.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard - Dairy Calves

RSPCA Australia

Published in 2021

A document outlining Australia's new RSPCA standards for the welfare of dairy calves. The main elements are: improving the fulfilment of the behavioural needs of calves, provision of sufficient quality and quantity of colostrum, housing of calves in groups in suitable conditions, no transport of calves under 10 days of age, and prohibition of painful practices such as the dehorning of calves.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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The Influence of Different Types of Outdoor Access on Dairy Cattle Behavior

Anne-Marieke C. Smid, Daniel M. Weary, Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk

Published in 2020

A review of the literature on how pasture and other types of outdoor space influence the lying, standing, walking, feeding, socialising and oestrus behaviour of dairy cows.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Living environment, Livestock farming system

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