Subject: Endocrinology

Research Note: Welfare and stress responses of broiler chickens raised in conventional and animal welfare-certified broiler farms

Kwon Byung-Yeon, Lee Hyun-Gwan, Jeon Yong-Sung, Song Ju-Yong, Kim Sang-Ho, Kim Dong-Wook, Kim Chan-Ho, Lee Kyung-Woo

Published in 2024

Study comparing the welfare of broilers reared on conventional and welfare-certified farms. Chickens on the certified farm scored lower hock burn and feather dirtiness and had better gait scores, although corticosterone levels in feathers were higher, warranting further study.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Welfare indicators, Housing, Carcass quality, Robustness, Behavioural disorders

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Effect of classical music on growth performance, stress level, antioxidant index, immune function and meat quality in broilers at different stocking densities

Xinlei Gao, Jiangang Gong, Bowen Yang, Yanci Liu, Hongjian Xu, Yanshuang Hao, Jialin Jing, Zhihua Feng, Lihua Li

Published in 2024

Scientific article demonstrating that classical music in broiler rearing can reduce the adverse effects of high density stocking on some parameters for stress, health and meat quality.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Carcass quality,Enrichment, Stress

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Heat stress: Implications of hyperthermia and physiology of layer hens

Roberto Montanhini Neto

Published in 2024

Article describing the effects of heat stress on the feeding behavior, physiology and metabolism of laying hens, particularly oxidative stress. It sets out the benefits of phytogenic feeds in mitigating the adverse effects of high heat on the welfare and production of laying hens.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Resilience, Robustness, Stress

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Review of the influence of farrowing and lactation housing and positive human contact on sow and piglet welfare

Paul H. Hemsworth, Alan J. Tilbrook, Rutu Y. Galea, Megan E. Lucas, Kirsty L. Chidgey, Lauren M. Hemsworth

Published in 2023

Scientific review offering a critical assessment of the scientific literature on the implications of two important determinants of sow and piglet welfare: housing and human contact.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Societal issues, Enrichment, Lactation, Housing, Maternity, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Socialization, Stress,  Livestock farming system, Behavioural disorders

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Glucocorticoids in relation to behavior, morphology, and physiology as proxy indicators for the assessment of animal welfare. A systematic mapping review

Inga Tiemann, Lisa B. Fijn, Marc Bagaria, Esther M. A. Langen, F. Josef van der Staa3, Saskia S. Arndt, Cathalijn Leenaars, Vivian C. Goerlich

Published in 2023

A systematic review of the literature to determine whether glucocorticoid levels are a relevant indicator of animal welfare. It found that interventions that supposedly affect glucocorticoid levels do not always do so, and when they do, the changes in level are not always accompanied by changes in the associated welfare endpoints of behavior, morphology and physiology.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Stress

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Do You Think I Am Living Well? A Four-Season Hair Cortisol Analysis on Leisure Horses in Different Housing and Management Conditions

Silvia Michela Mazzola, Carla Colombani, Giulia Pizzamiglio, Simona Cannas, Clara Palestrini, Emanuela Dalla Costa, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Arianna Bionda, Paola Crepaldi

Published in 2021

Scientific paper investigating the chronic stress levels of recreational horses in relation to their living conditions in order to determine the best management strategy for the welfare of the horses.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Housing, Living environment, Stress

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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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The upper temperature thresholds of life

Senthold Asseng, Dietrich Spänkuch, Ixchel M Hernandez-Ochoa, Jimena Laporta

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the extreme temperature thresholds for different living organisms, concluding that they are similar for most animals, agricultural crops and humans, and that excessively high temperatures, especially when these are combined with high humidity, cause heat stress and can be fatal even for short exposures.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Mammals, Fish

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to its environment, Environment, Welfare indicators, Stress

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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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Effects of Ultraviolet Light Supplementation on Beijing Duck Production, Behavior, and Welfare

Gabrielle M. House, Eric B. Sobotik, Jill R. Nelson, Gregory S. Archer

Published in 2020

Study to determine the effects of supplementary UV light on Peking duck production parameters, eye development, stress and fear.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Enrichment, Living environment, Fear, Stress, Livestock farming system

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