Subject: Reproduction

Welfare issues resulting from feed restriction in pregnant sows

EURCAW-Pigs

Published in 2022

Review of the scientific literature for veterinary inspectors of Member States on the regulation and scientific knowledge on behavioral and physiological signs of hunger in pregnant sows under a restricted feed regime, and on ways to reduce associated welfare problems (aggression and stereotypies). They aim to reduce hunger sensations and to adapt farming methods.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Welfare indicators, Stress

Improving heat stress resilience should be priority for swine industry

Ann Hess

Published in 2022

Summary of a webinar hosted by the USDA on how to mitigate the impacts of heat stress on the health and welfare of pigs in factory farming. It presents research findings to improve heat stress resilience in pigs through a three-part approach, that looks at management, nutrition and genetics.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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Finding the "golden stocking density": A balance between fish welfare and farmers' perspectives

J. L. Saraiva, P. Rachinas-Lopes, P. Arechavala-Lopez

Published in 2022

Scientific review proposing ways to select the appropriate fish stocking density for each farm and monitor its potential effects. They include a robust welfare assessment based on operational indicators and good management practices.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Fish

Keywords: Housing, Living environment, Livestock farming system,Welfare indicators

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Improving young pig welfare on-farm: The Five Domains Model

Anna K Johnson, Jean-Loup Rault, Jeremy N Marchant, Emma M Baxter, Keelin O'Driscoll

Published in 2022

Scientific review of the use of the five domains model to improve housing and management from the piglets' perspective, seeking to induce positive mental states that can result in improved quality of life and wefare. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, Stress

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End the Cage Age -Sows investigation - 2022

CIWF

Published in 2022

CIWF survey conducted on 16 European pig farms, revealing living conditions that prevent the expression of the animals' natural behaviours. CIWF asks the French Minister of Agriculture to support the legislative changes announced by the European Commission to ban cage farming and improve animal welfare conditions.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Maternity, Living environment, Stress, Livestock farming system, Societal issues

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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

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Evaluation of Two Injection Techniques in Combination with the Local Anesthetics Lidocaine and Mepivacaine for Piglets Undergoing Surgical Castration

Julia Werner, Anna M. Saller, Judith Reiser, Steffanie Senf, Pauline Deffner, Nora Abendschön, Johannes Fischer, Andrea Grott, Regina Miller, Yury Zablotski, Katja Steiger, Shana Bergmann, Michael H. Erhard, Mathias Ritzmann, Susanne Zöls, Christine Baumgartner

Published in 2022

Scientific paper comparing the relative effects on heart rate, mean arterial pressure, pain movements and physiological stress markers of two injection techniques, involving 1 or 2 stages, for lidocaine or mepivacaine during the castration of piglets.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Pain, Mutilation, Stress

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F. Liu, W. Zhao, H.H. Le, J.J. Cottrell, M.P. Green, B.J. Leury, F.R. Dunshea, A.W. Bell

Published in 2021

Scientific review of the mechanisms affecting the farrowing rates, carcass fatness and growth rates of pigs in summer, with a focus on heat stress, suggesting strategies for improvement.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Carcass quality, Stress

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Le rôle de l’État dans l’encadrement de la génétique des carnivores domestiques : propositions d’évolution

Francis Geiger, Marylène Nau

Published in 2015

Expert report proposing that the State should concentrate on legal requirements and outlining a partnership project where all stakeholders would shape the canine and feline sectors' use of genetics, putting science at the heart of selection policies.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords:Societal issues, Risk management, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Psychiatric disorders

Welfare Assessment Protocol for Shelter Dogs

S. Barnard, C. Pedernera, A. Velarde, P. Dalla Villa

Published in 2014

Protocol to assess the welfare of dogs in shelters at shelter, cage and individual levels

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Canine

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships, Stress, Welfare indicators

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