Subject: Health /Diseases

Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle. II: Effects on cow welfare and behavior

Megan Verdon, Adam Langworthy, Richard Rawnsley

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the behaviour and stress parameters of dairy cows on pasture with either an electric fence or a virtual fence. No difference was found in the first days, but the cows with virtual fencing displayed less activity and higher cortisol levels in milk after a few days.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Learning, training, Pain, Welfare indicators, Stress, Livestock farming system

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The importance of observation in cattle handling

The Beef Site

Published in 2021

This article reminds us that good human-animal relationships require a good knowledge of and respect for the animal's needs and behaviour. A summary for cattle is provided of these, as defined by Temple Grandin, an internationally renowned behaviourist.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements,Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

How can the research on chicken cognition improve chicken welfare: a perspective review

V. H. B. Ferreira, V. Guesdon, L. Calandreau

Published in 2021

A review of the science linking cognition and welfare in chickens, focusing on three common welfare problems in chicken farms: unequal use of space, pecking, and unfulfilled behavioural and physiological needs.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Human-animal relationships, Welfare indicators

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Lameness in Beef Cattle: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Survey of On-Farm Practices and Approaches

Jay Tunstall, Karin Mueller, Dai Grove-White, Joanne W. H. Oultram, Helen Mary Higgins

Published in 2021

Scientific article studying the views and breeding practices of British cattle farmers in terms of the identification and management of lameness, and highlighting a pressing need for training to improve these two aspects of livestock farming.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Human-animal relationships, Livestock farming system, Welfare indicators

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The Effects of Vehicle Type, Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Feeding on the Welfare of Sheep Transported in Low Temperatures

Francesca Carnovale, Jin Xiao, Binlin Shi, Tanel Kaart, David Arney, Clive J. C. Phillips

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the impact of 3 factors on the welfare of sheep transported in cold weather, and concluding that the animals whose welfare was most affected were those transported in uncovered vehicles, for long periods of time, and without being fed prior to transport.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords: Transport

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Scientific knowledge about fitness for transport of pigs reviewed

Mette S. Herskin, Marien A. Gerritzen, Michael Marahrens, Marc B.M. Bracke, Hans A.M. Spoolder

Published in 2021

Summary of the EURCAW-Pigs scientific review on the fitness for transport of pigs, setting out the European regulations and the two major areas to be addressed during inspection. The animals to be transported must be checked for signs of illness and poor physiological condition, for which checklists are provided 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Transport

Impact of paper bedding on lying behaviour and welfare in lactating dairy cows

Helena F.M.Sobte, Stephanie Buijs

Published in 2021

Scientific paper comparing the effects of paper- and sawdust-based bedding on the welfare of lactating dairy cows, looking specifically at lying behaviour, activity, lameness, skin lesions, cleanliness and productivity and finding no significant difference between the two bedding types.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Housing, Livestock farming system, Pain, Welfare indicators

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Knowledge and Perspectives on the Welfare of Italian Heavy Pigs on Farms

Marika Vitali, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the available data on the welfare of Italian heavy pigs, which are reared over a longer period in order to create traditional products and therefore have special needs. The review concludes that there are many information gaps and research is needed to improve the welfare of this particular pig population.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard - Dairy Calves

RSPCA Australia

Published in 2021

A document outlining Australia's new RSPCA standards for the welfare of dairy calves. The main elements are: improving the fulfilment of the behavioural needs of calves, provision of sufficient quality and quantity of colostrum, housing of calves in groups in suitable conditions, no transport of calves under 10 days of age, and prohibition of painful practices such as the dehorning of calves.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Housing, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS)

Gerald Reiner, Josef Kuehling, Frederik Loewenstein, Mirjam Lechner, Sabrina Becker

Published in 2021

A scientific review of the differential diagnosis of inflammation and necrosis syndrome in pigs so that tail lesions caused by bites from other pigs and those caused by the disease can be distinguished.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords: Pain, Mutilation, Livestock farming system

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