Subject: Parasitism

Welfare issues and potential solutions for laying hens in free range and organic production systems: A review based on literature and interviews

Claire Bonnefous, Anne Collin, Laurence A. Guilloteau, Vanessa Guesdon, Christine Filliat, Sophie Réhault-Godbert, T. Bas Rodenburg, Frank A. M. Tuyttens, Laura Warin, Sanna Steenfeldt, Lisa Baldinger, Martina Re, Raffaella Ponzio, Anna Zuliani, Pietro Venezia, Minna Väre, Patricia Parrott, Keith Walley, Jarkko K. Niemi, Christine Leterrier

Published in 2022

Scientific review identifying an increased risk to free-range hens of microbial and parasitic infections, heat stress and predation. They do, however, have better bone quality and show less evidence of pecking behaviors. The review sets out existing preventive strategies and identifies missed opportunities to use genetics and prenatal and nutritional factors to prevent these welfare issues in free-range systems.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Resilience, Robustness, Stress, Livestock farming system

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Impact of parasites on Australian laying hen welfare

Peter J. Groves

Published in 2021

Scientific review of the increase in intestinal parasites in Australian poultry in cage-free and free-range production systems, especially in organic systems where no effective anthelmintics are permitted.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Environment, Living environment, Livestock farming system

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Project #F075: Cage-free Housing: Northern Fowl Mite Impact on Laying Hens, and Project #701: Laying Hen Ectoparasites: Impact of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Kentucky Contamination in Cage-Free Housing

Dr Darrin Karcher

Published in 2020

Evaluation of the horizontal transmission of infection and the invasion of internal organs following experimental infection by S. Enteritidis and S. Kentucky of laying hens in cage-free indoor housing, and examination of the role and impact of poultry liponysses on the performance, welfare and egg safety of laying hens in a cage-free environment.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Housing, Living environment

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UK Code of practice for the welfare of pigs

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Published in 2020

A guide containing recommendations to pig farmers to ensure animal welfare needs are met. These are not statutory requirements, but if there is evidence that the farmer has not followed the recommendations in the guide, this can be used against him in court.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Livestock buildings, Societal issues, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing

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The clinical companion of the donkey

Donkey Sanctuary charity group

Published in 2018

This book provides up-to-date and comprehensive information on donkeys, with the aim of improving their health and welfare. It focuses in particular on the characteristics of the species compared with other members of the equidae family. It includes a chapter on behaviour which is fundamental to the understanding of this unique animal and key to  the clinical signs and requirements for handling, feeding and treatment.

Document Types: Technical work

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords: Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Anxiety, Pain, Welfare indicators, Fear, Human-animal relationships

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General Principles for the welfare of animals in production systems: the underlying science and its application

Fraser D., Duncan I.J.H., Edwards S.A., Grandin T., Gregory N.G., Guyonnet V., Hemsworth P.H., Huertas S.M., Huzzey J.M., Mellor D.J., Mench J.A., Spinka M., Whay H.R.,

Published in 2013

Presentation of the 10 general principles relating to welfare in production systems adopted by the OIE for the development of standards

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Pain, Enrichment, Environment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment,Mutilation, Fear, Cognitive processes, Human-animal relationships, Stress

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