Subject: Health /Diseases

Welfare assessment of stabled horses in five equestrian disciplines

V. Jovanović, M. Vučinić, E. Voslarova, K. Nenadović

Published in 2024

Scientific study identifying several welfare problems in five categories of stabled horses (western riding horses, riding school horses, leisure horses, show jumping horses and endurance horses). Leisure horses received less exercise, and a lack of social contact was observed in 28% of horses in this category.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Equines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Working animals, Welfare indicators, Housing, Animal mediation, Human-animal relationships, Behavioural disorders

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Organic rearing of non-castrated male pigs: welfare indicators, carcass traits, pork quality and boar taint in Duroc and Pietrain crossbreds

Lebret B, Ferchaud S, Poissonnet A, Prunier A

Published in 2024

Scientific study comparing two organically-rased genotypes of uncastrated male pigs to assess their welfare and meat quality. Large-White x Duroc pigs displayed fewer body lesions, but had an increased risk of unpleasant odors linked to boar taint.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Castration, Carcass quality, Sterilization, livestock farming system

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Review: The influence of light on pig welfare

A.J. Scaillierez, S.E. van Nieuwamerongen - de Koning, I.J.M.M. Boumans, P.P.J. van der Tol, E.A.M. Bokkers

Published in 2024

Scientific review examining the effects of light on pig welfare. The analysis examined 63 studies evaluating parameters such as daylight hours, light intensity and light spectrum. Although light influences aspects such as behavior, growth and hormone secretion, the conclusions that can be drawn are limited by contradictory results and a lack of data, particularly concerning the light spectrum.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Aggression, Aggressivity, Welfare indicators, Housing

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Review: Space allowance for growing pigs: animal welfare, performance and on-farm practicality

K.L. Chidgey

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis exploring the scientific basis of the most common approaches to determining minimum space allowances for growing pigs, and examining the various factors that influence and interact with their spatial needs and affective states.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Resilience, Robustness, livestock farming system

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The Welfare of Dogs and Cats in the European Union: A Gap Analysis of the Current Legal Framework

Contalbrigo, L.; Normando, S.; Bassan, E.; Mutinelli, F.

Published in 2024

Analytical article raising the issue of pet welfare not covered by European legislation, such as ethical breeding, sales, transport and end-of-life care. It concludes that a transdisciplinary approach and better education in responsible pet ownership are essential to improve pet protection via a harmonized legal framework.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Canines, Felines

Keywords:Abandonment, Adoption, Castration, Euthanasia, End of life, Abuse, Living environment, One Welfare, Spaying, Aging, Animal trade

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Review: Welfare in farm animals from an animal-centred point of view

Huber, K

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis highlighting the anatomical and physiological alterations undergone by high-production livestock, leading to an imbalance between their natural capacities and the demands of industrial production. It calls for an ethical approach to animal welfare, focusing on their physiological limits, for more sustainable and respectful production.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Evolutionary processes, Resilience, Robustness

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Environmental Enrichment in Rabbit Husbandry: Comparative Impacts on Performance and Welfare

El-Sabrout K., Sherasiya A.; Ahmad S., Aggag S., Nannoni E., Cavallini D., Buonaiuto G.

Published in 2024

Summary article describing environmental stress and its negative impacts on rabbit welfare and productivity, causing disease and problem behavior. Environmental enrichment helps reduce this stress by meeting the natural behavioral needs of rabbits, thereby improving their welfare and performance.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Monogastric

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Aggression, Aggressiveness, Animal-based measurements, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Stress, Behavioural disorders

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Jardin d’hiver en élevages de poulets de chair : Etat des lieux des contraintes et solutions pour sa construction et gestion

Félicie AULANIER (Chambre d'Agriculture de Bretagne), Gwenn GUILLOU (Chambre d'Agriculture de Bretagne), Laure WARIN (ITAVI)

Published in 2024

Technical summary outlining the challenges involved in meeting public expectations and private sector specifications when installing winter gardens on standard broiler farms. These areas, recommended by the EFSA to improve animal welfare, offer advantages but also pose technical, economic and management challenges, particularly in terms of ventilation and investment costs.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Poultry

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

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Etude de cas – Norsk Kylling pionniers du bien-être animal et d’une production de poulets durable

CIWF Food

Published in 2024

Case study on how Norwegian producer Norsk Kylling has adapted its chicken production to comply with the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) criteria, combining  profitability, animal welfare and sustainability. The measures described include lower stocking densities, slower-growing breeds and more humane slaughter methods.

Document Types: Good practice guide

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Societal issues, Environment, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Carcass quality, livestock farming systemTransport

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A five-domains assessment of sow welfare in a novel free farrowing system

Kate Plush, David Lines, Lauren Staveley, Darryl D'Souza, Robert van Barneveld

Published in 2024

Study showing that sows housed in a maternity ring (MR) have better welfare than those in farrowing crates, with fewer frustration-related behaviors and injuries and less medication required for piglets. Assessment using the five-domain framework reveals a more positive emotional state for sows housed in MR.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Housing, Restraint equipment, Maternity, Fear, Behavioural disorders

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