Subject: Health /Diseases

Heat stress measuring methods in dairy cows

Alessandra Aloia, Aristide Maggiolino, Lucrezia Forte, Pasquale De Palo

Published in 2024

Study exploring predictors other  than the temperature-humidity index (THI) to assess heat stress in cattle. Other early predictors use non-invasive, animal-based strategies, thanks to precision breeding technologies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Living environment, Robustness, Stress

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One Health Approach to Rabbit Farming: Balancing Act between Environmental Impact, Farmers Livelihood, and Animal Welfare

Ibikunle Funso Olaleru, Ibukun Oluwatobi Busari and Olorunfunmi Isimioluwa Solana

Published in 2024

Book chapter describing rabbit farming as a sustainable solution to meeting demand for meat while having a low environmental impact, thanks to the feed conversion efficiency and low land and resource requirements of rabbits. However, challenges include the need to ensure adequate space to avoid stress and health problems and to guarantee animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific work

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords: Environment, Housing, One Welfare, Pollution,Societal issues, livestock farming system

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Evaluation of a scheme to identify risks for tail biting in pigs

D'Alessio RM, Mc Aloon CG, Correia-Gomes C, Hanlon A, O'Driscoll K

Published in 2024

Study evaluating a tail-biting risk assessment program on 27 pig farms. Results showed little correlation between management practices and tail-biting risk, despite identifying areas for improvement such as stocking density, enrichment provision and incidence of tail docking. The study underscores the need to improve the training of assessors. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Aggressivity, Animal-based measurements, Livestock buildings, Housing, Mutilation, Carcass quality, Behavioural disorders

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Combining Automated Behaviour Recognition and Physiological Data to Characterize Heat Tolerance and Animal Welfare in Growing Pigs

Poullet Nausicaa, Guichard Johanna, Beramice David, Dantec Laurent, Gourdine Jean-Luc, Bonneau Mathieu

Published in 2024

Study combining computer visual monitoring and temperature measurements to monitor the behavior and thermoregulation of 22 pigs exposed to tropical temperatures (ranging from 20.3 to 27.9°C) and thermoneutral conditions (22°C). Pigs exposed to heat stress spent more time lying on their sides to dissipate heat, and a thermal discomfort index (HDI) was created to assess the impact on their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Robustness, Behavioural disorders

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Effect of different LED light colors on welfare, performance, some behavioral patterns, and blood parameters of Muscovy ducks

Eman Hefnawy, Eman Elgazzar, Ahmed Sabek, Saeed El-laithy, Souad Ahmed

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the impact of different LED light colors on the welfare of Muscovy ducks. Blue light proved particularly beneficial, reducing feather pecking, tonic immobility time, and cortisol levels, while it improved feather condition without affecting growth.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Behavioural disorders

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Farmed cricket (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus assimilis, and Gryllodes sigillatus; Orthoptera) welfare considerations: recommendations for improving global practice

Rowe, E., Robles López, K.Y., Robinson, K.M., Baudier, K.M., & Barrett, M.

Published in 2024

Article on a study evaluating various factors affecting the welfare of the three main species of cricket bred for animal and human consumption. The article makes recommendations for improving the conditions under which they are farmed 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories:Insects

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Euthanasia, Euthanasia, Abuse, Living environment, Pain, Education, Stress, Transportation

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How does perception of zoo animal welfare influence public attitudes, experiences, and behavioural intentions? A mixed-methods systematic review

Nicki Phillips, Laëtitia Maréchal, Beth Ventura, Jonathan Cooper

Published in 2024

Systematic study identifying three types of factors that influence negative public perceptions of zoos whose objectives are conservation and education: human (interactions and ethics), animal (behavior and health), and environmental (facility conditions). These negative perceptions reduce the public's commitment to zoos and conservation, necessitating more structured research to improve the validity of the studies.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: All animals

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Education, Enrichment, Housing, Living environment, Human-animal relationships

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Occurrence of tail docking and tail biting in weaner pigs - A preliminary study in Portuguese abattoirs

Gomes-Neves, E, Teixeira, MF, Cardoso, MF

Published in 2024

Study revealing that tail docking is still practised despite being banned in Europe, and that weaners with undocked tails are more likely to suffer from bites, especially when transiting through assembly centers prior to slaughter. The carcasses of pigs with tail lesions are more frequently downgraded, underlining the need for new regulations to improve animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Animal trade, Pain, Mutilation, Carcass quality, Transport, Behavioural disorders

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Using Different Cage Enrichments to Improve Rabbits' Performance, Behavior, and Welfare

Elsayed M, Soliman F, Elghalid O, El-Sabrout K.

Published in 2024

Study examining the impact of different environmental enrichments on rabbits, such as rubber flooring, colored plastic balls, and mirrors. Results showed that balls and mirrors improved body weight, carcass quality and physiological parameters, while reducing stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

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

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Horse welfare in semi-extensive system: establishing a welfare protocol and comparing pasture and stable farming systems

Raspa, F, Valle, E, Ozella, L, Bergero, D, Tarantola, M, Necci, A, Bertocchi, L, D'Avino, N, Paniccià, M, De Palo, P, Nannoni, E, Martelli, G, Forte, C

Published in 2024

Study developing a welfare protocol for horses raised for meat in semi-extensive systems, applicable to both pasture and stable housing. Based on an assessment cohort of 429 horses, differences were observed between the pasture and stable systems, mainly related to staff training and the feeding of the horses. This protocol could fill current gaps in equine welfare assessment and help to support veterinary controls.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Working animals, Livestock buildings, Risk management, Welfare indicators, Housing, Animal mediation, livestock farming system

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