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Effects of culture densities on feed demand, behavioural tests and on the hepatic and cerebral oxidative status in tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)
Contributor(s):: Sánchez-Muros, María J., Sánchez, Belén, Barroso, Fernando G., García-Mesa, Sergio, Rufino-Palomares, Eva E., Lupiáñez, José A., Sanz, Ana
The present study examines whether fish density affects behavioural tests, feed demand, and different parameters indicative of the oxidative status of the liver and brain of Orechromis sp. to identify welfare indicators for fish culturing. The fish were maintained at two commercial densities (5.6...
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Quality of life and animal behaviour
Contributor(s):: Yeates, James
QOL is an intrinsically evaluative concept of how valuable (positive or negative) each animal’s life is for that animal from the animal’s point of view. QOL relates to animals’ experiences and their causes; is a “broad” concept in terms of content; extends over time; and relates to the particular...
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Detecting horses’ sickness: In search of visible signs
Contributor(s):: Hausberger, Martine, Fureix, Carole, Lesimple, Clémence
Assessing sickness in animals, by which we refer to non-specific states involving both physical discomfort and negative emotional states, is a real challenge. In this review, we demonstrate the need for clear and simple indicators of sickness in horses, a species in which suffering is largely...
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Early indicators of tail biting outbreaks in pigs
Contributor(s):: Wedin, Maya, Baxter, Emma M., Jack, Mhairi, Futro, Agnieszka, D’Eath, Richard B.
Tail biting outbreaks in pig farming cause suffering through pain and stress, and producers lose revenue due to carcass condemnation. Reliable behavioural indications of when an outbreak is imminent would provide farmers with tools for mitigating the outbreak in advance. This study investigated...
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Online videos indicate human and dog behaviour preceding dog bites and the context in which bites occur
Contributor(s):: Sara C. Owczarczak-Garstecka, Francine Watkins, Rob Christley, Carri Westgarth
YouTube videos of dog bites present an unexplored opportunity to observe dog bites directly. We recorded the context of bites, bite severity, victim and dog characteristics for 143 videos and for 56 videos we coded human and dog behaviour before the bite. Perceived bite severity was derived...
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Provisioning the ritual neolithic site of Kfar HaHoresh, Israel at the dawn of animal management
| Contributor(s):: Meier, J. S., Goring-Morris, A. N., Munro, N. D.
It is widely agreed that a pivotal shift from wild animal hunting to herd animal management, at least of goats, began in the southern Levant by the Middle Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period (10,000-9,500 cal. BP) when evidence of ritual activities flourished in the region. As our knowledge of this...
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Identification and development of measures suitable as potential breeding traits regarding dairy cows' reactivity towards humans
| Contributor(s):: Ebinghaus, A., Ivemeyer, S., Rupp, J., Knierim, U.
Behavioural indicators of the human-animal relationship (HAR) are predominantly used in animal welfare science. However, the reactivity of dairy cows - as part of the HAR - is also of interest in the context of dairy breeding, due to its estimated moderate heritability. The avoidance distance...
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The associations between animal-based welfare measures and the presence of indicators of food safety in finishing pigs
| Contributor(s):: Alpigiani, I., Bacci, C., Keeling, L. J., Salman, M. D., Brindani, F., Pongolini, S., Hitchens, P. L., Bonardi, S.
Stressful housing and management practices affect animals, potentially increasing their receptiveness to pathogens. Since some pathogens do not lead to clinical signs of sickness, subclinical pigs could enter the food-chain, contaminating carcases and offal at slaughter, representing a threat to...
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Does group size have an impact on welfare indicators in fattening pigs?
| Contributor(s):: Meyer-Hamme, S. E. K., Lambertz, C., Gauly, M.
Production systems for fattening pigs have been characterized over the last 2 decades by rising farm sizes coupled with increasing group sizes. These developments resulted in a serious public discussion regarding animal welfare and health in these intensive production systems. Even though large...
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Detecting horses' sickness: in search of visible signs
| Contributor(s):: Hausberger, M., Fureix, C., Lesimple, C.
Assessing sickness in animals, by which we refer to non-specific states involving both physical discomfort and negative emotional states, is a real challenge. In this review, we demonstrate the need for clear and simple indicators of sickness in horses, a species in which suffering is largely...
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Behavioural analysis of captive tigers ( Panthera tigris): a water pool makes the difference
| Contributor(s):: Biolatti, C., Modesto, P., Dezzutto, D., Pera, F., Tarantola, M., Gennero, M. S., Maurella, C., Acutis, P. L.
The activity budgets of seven captive tigers ( Panthera tigris) housed in four zoological gardens (A, B, C, D) were analysed to assess their welfare and to relate it to several variables, including enclosure type, management, and animal history. Behaviours were recorded by instantaneous focal...
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A tool for the evaluation of slaughter horse welfare during unloading
| Contributor(s):: Messori, S., Visser, E. K., Buonanno, M., Ferrari, P., Barnard, S., Borciani, M., Ferri, N.
This study aimed to develop a scientific and practical tool to be used to assess horse welfare after commercial transport over long journeys. A set of physical, behavioural and environmental measures was selected, covering welfare aspects of both transport and unloading procedures. The protocol...
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On-farm evaluation of the Salmon Welfare Index Model (SWIM 1.0): theoretical and practical considerations
| Contributor(s):: Folkedal, O., Pettersen, J. M., Bracke, M., Stien, L. H., Nilsson, J., Martins, C., Breck, O., Midtlyng, P. J., Kristiansen, T.
The present study investigated the operational feasibility of the recently developed Salmon Welfare Index Model (SWIM 1.0) designed for Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L) in production cages. Ten salmon farms containing spring smolts were visited twice, first between May and June the first year in...
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What can inactivity (in its various forms) reveal about affective states in non-human animals? A review
| Contributor(s):: Fureix, C., Meagher, R. K.
Captive/domestic animals are often described as inactive, with the implicit or explicit implication that this high level of inactivity is a welfare problem. Conversely, not being inactive enough may also indicate or cause poor welfare. In humans, too much inactivity can certainly be associated...
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A pilot study to develop an assessment tool for sheep welfare after long journey transport
| Contributor(s):: Messori, S., Sossidou, E., Buonanno, M., Mounaix, B., Barnard, S., Vousdouka, V., Villa, P. dalla, Roest, K. de, Spoolder, H.
Sheep transport within Europe involves 9.5 million animals yearly, 63% of which travel over long journeys (>8 h). Livestock transport, particularly over long journeys, gives rise to concern about the welfare of transported animals. The European Commission stimulates the development of...
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Fear and stress measurements in pure and hybrid red-legged partridges
| Contributor(s):: Campo, J. L., Garcia Davila, S., Garcia Gil, M., Torres, O., Santiago Moreno, J.
The purposes of this study were to examine the duration of induced tonic immobility (a reliable fear indicator considered a passive anti-predator behavioural trait) and two stress indicators (heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, and fluctuating asymmetry of leg length, middle-toe length, and wing...
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Stereotypic behaviours in Melopsittacus undulatus: behavioural consequences of social and spatial limitations
| Contributor(s):: Polverino, G., Manciocco, A., Vitale, A., Alleva, E.
The demand for parrots for pet and scientific purposes is an increasing phenomenon. Yet, the cognitive complexity of these animals makes it difficult to fully satisfy their eco-ethological needs in captivity, and strategies commonly adopted for their husbandry are often unsuccessful in...
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Acoustic analysis of cattle ( Bos taurus) mother-offspring contact calls from a source-filter theory perspective
| Contributor(s):: Torre, M. P. de la, Briefer, E. F., Reader, T., McElligott, A. G.
Cattle vocalisations have been proposed as potential indicators of animal welfare. However, very few studies have investigated the acoustic structure and information encoded in these vocalisations using advanced analysis techniques. Vocalisations play key roles in a wide range of communication...
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Playful handling of laboratory rats is more beneficial when applied before than after routine injections
| Contributor(s):: Cloutier, S., Wahl, K. L., Panksepp, J., Newberry, R. C.
The ability of positive affective states to counteract negative states engendered by routine medical procedures remains poorly studied. In laboratory rats, positive affect typically associated with rough-and-tumble play can be induced through human "hand play" - the experience of being "tickled"...
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Testing three measures of mouse insensibility following induction with isoflurane or carbon dioxide gas for a more humane euthanasia
| Contributor(s):: Moody, C. M., Makowska, I. J., Weary, D. M.
Laboratory mice are commonly killed via exposure to gradually increasing concentrations of isoflurane and carbon dioxide (CO 2) gas. Once rendered insensible using isoflurane or CO 2, a high concentration of CO 2 is used to decrease time to death. When the switch from isoflurane to a high flow...
