Subject: Cognition

Welfare of farm animals : studying it to improve it

Stéphane Ingrand, Xavier Fernandez

Published in 2022

Scientific study of the impact of research carried out at INRAE over the last 30 years with the aim of improving the welfare of farm animals. This research has led to the implementation of new national and European regulations, and the adoption of new practices and equipment in animal husbandry.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Consciousness, Pain, Societal issues, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Mutilation, Stress, Livestock farming system

Go to document

Does Clicker Training Lead to Faster Acquisition of Behavior for Dog Owners?

Brian Burton

Published in 2020

Report showing that the effectiveness of clicker training in dogs depends on the particular behaviour you are trying to teach them.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords: Learning, training, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships

Go to document

Measuring emotional processes in animals: the utility of a cognitive approach

Elizabeth S. Paul, Emma J. Harding, Michael Mendl

Published in 2005

Scientific review of emotions in animals, and how to measure them, in particular cognitive and subjective aspects (positive and negative)

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Memory, Human-animal relationships

Go to document

Foraging Behavior Shows Individual-Consistency Over Time, and Predicts Range Use in Slow-Growing Free-Range Male Broiler Chickens

Vitor Hugo Bessa Ferreira, Arthur Simoni, Karine Germain, Christine Leterrier, Léa Lansade, Anne Collin, Sandrine Mignon-Grasteau, Elisabeth Le Bihan-Duval, Elodie Guettier, Hélène Leruste, Hanne Løvlie, Ludovic Calandreau, Vanessa Guesdon

Published in 2022

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.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment

Go to document

Working for food is related to range use in free-range broiler chickens

Vitor Hugo Bessa Ferreira, Arthur Simoni, Karine Germain, Christine Leterrier, Léa Lansade, Anne Collin, Sandrine Mignon-Grasteau, Elisabeth Le Bihan-Duval, Elodie Guettier, Hélène Leruste, Ludovic Calandreau, Vanessa Guesdon

Published in 2021

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.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment

Go to document

Circus Animal Welfare: analysis through a five-domain approach

Daniel Mota-Rojas, Marcelo Daniel Ghezzi, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Leonardo Thielo de la Vega, Luciano Boscato-Funes, Fabiola Torres-Bernal, Patricia Mora-Medina

Published in 2022

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.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Wildlife

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to its environment, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

Go to document

A Kettle of Fish: A Review of the Scientific Literature for Evidence of Fish Sentience

Helen Lambert, Amelia Cornish, Angie Elwin, Neil D'Cruze

Published in 2022

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.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Livestock farming system, Societal issues

Go to document

Avian cognition and the implications for captive parrot welfare

H.S. Starenchak Baukhagen, M.D. Engell

Published in 2022

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

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords: Enrichment, Housing, Human-animal relationships,Societal issues, Living environment

Go to document

Risk Factors for Chronic Stress in Sows Housed in Groups, and Associated Risks of Prenatal Stress in Their Offspring

Martyna Ewa Lagoda, Joanna Marchewka, Keelin O'Driscoll, Laura Ann Boyle

Published in 2022

Scientific review analysing the different potential risk factors for chronic stress in group-housed pregnant sows, addressing the mechanisms of chronic and prenatal stress, and identifying research needs on these topics.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Housing, Maternity, Stress

Go to document

Why do animals want what they like?

Jair E. Garcia, Adrian G. Dyer

Published in 2022

Commentary on an article demonstrating the conservation of dopamine-related neural circuits and mechanisms involving desire and reward  in animals, from bees to humans.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories:Insects

Keywords:Brain integration, Cognitive processes, Evolutionary processes

Go to document