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Dominance hierarchy in groups of pregnant sows: Characteristics and identification of related indicators
Contributor(s):: Lanthony, Mathilde, Danglot, Margot, Špinka, Marek, Tallet, Céline
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Timing of part-time group housing for farm rabbits: Effects on reproductive performance, skin injuries and behaviour
Contributor(s):: Van Damme, Liesbeth G. W., Delezie, Evelyne, Ampe, Bart, Tuyttens, Frank A. M.
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The structure and temporal changes in brokerage typologies applied to a dynamic sow herd
Contributor(s):: Jowett, Sarah, Barker, Zoe, Amory, Jonathan
Brokerage typologies represent an aspect of sociality by describing the social structure, at a group and individual level, concerning the direction and flow of behaviours or information within, and between subgroups. While animal studies have identified keystone individuals, capable of imparting...
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Tank cleaning temporarily increases stress and decreases affiliative behavior in zebrafish
Contributor(s):: Powell, Christine, von Keyserlingk, Marina A. G., Franks, Becca
Small, tropical fish are popular companion animals and constitute a major proportion of the vertebrates used in scientific research, but little is known about how they are affected by routine husbandry practices. Manual tank cleanings are a common and potentially stressful maintenance procedure...
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Hang on: an evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice
Contributor(s):: Gjendal, K., Sorensen, D. B., Kiersgaard, M. K., Ottesen, J. L.
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Group dynamics in a spontaneously established group of newly weaned piglets
| Contributor(s):: Mesarec, Nikolina, Skok, Janko, Škorjanc, Dejan, Prevolnik Povše, Maja
The weaning process poses considerable challenge in pig production. The standard procedure usually involves mixing multiple litters in a relatively dense group where the pigs do not have much space and opportunity to interact uninterruptedly and therefore cannot exhibit the full natural display...
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Behavioral interactions and glucocorticoid production of Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) mothers and foals
| Contributor(s):: Kozlowski, Corinne P., Baskir, Eli, Clawitter, Helen L., Franklin, Ashley D., Thier, Tim, Fischer, Martha, Powell, David M., Asa, Cheryl S.
Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) are the most endangered species of wild equid, and little is known about their reproductive biology. Here, we describe social interactions and glucocorticoid production of five pairs of Somali wild ass females and their foals, which were born within...
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The stability of social prominence and influence in a dynamic sow herd: A social network analysis approach
| Contributor(s):: Jowett, Sarah, Amory, Jonathan
Social network analysis has developed as a valid technique in animal behaviour; despite an increase in the number of social network research in this field, comparatively few studies have focused on commercial animals. This study investigated a dry breeding sow herd (average = 69) as a model...
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Social interactions, cortisol and reproductive success of domestic goats (Capra hircus) subjected to different animal densities during pregnancy
| Contributor(s):: Vas, Judit, Chojnacki, Rachel, Kjøren, Marte Flor, Lyngwa, Charlotte, Andersen, Inger Lise
Although goats in many countries are kept indoors in the winter season, during gestation and kidding, recommendations and regulations regarding available space per goat are highly variable. The effects of different housing conditions on the welfare and behaviour are understudied in this species....
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Out of sight or in too deep: Effect of visual barriers and water depth on agonistic behaviour and growth in hatchling saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)
| Contributor(s):: Brien, Matthew L., Gienger, Christopher M., Webb, Grahame J., McGuinness, Keith, Christian, Keith A.
This study tests the role of visual barriers and water depth on levels of agonistic behaviour and growth in hatchling Crocodylus porosus within the first 3 weeks of life. Ninety-six individuals from four separate clutches hatched over 2 days were divided across three treatments containing two...
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Effects of restraint with or without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic behaviour in horned and hornless goats
| Contributor(s):: Hillmann, Edna, Hilfiker, Sandra, Keil, Nina Maria
The strict dominance hierarchy in goats bears the risk of low-ranking goats not getting adequate access to feed, especially for goats in small groups. The aim of our study was to test the effect of restraint in headlocks with and without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic...
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Effect of hiding places, straw and territory on aggression in group-housed rabbit does
| Contributor(s):: Rommers, Jorine M., Reuvekamp, Berry J. F., Gunnink, Henk, de Jong, Ingrid C.
Group-housing of rabbit does may be preferred from welfare point of view. However, group-housing causes agonistic behaviour which may cause severe injuries. Severe injuries may be prevented by offering hiding places for attacked does. Providing enrichment (straw) may reduce agonistic behaviour by...
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Influence of origin litter on social rank, agonistic behaviour and growth performance of piglets after weaning
| Contributor(s):: Fels, Michaela, Hoy, Steffen, Hartung, Jörg
In pig production, mixing of piglets after weaning is a common management practice often leading to severe fighting aimed at establishing a social hierarchy. The intention of our study was to investigate whether social rank of piglets obtained by fighting within 3 days after weaning and mixing...
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Influence of immunisation against GnRF on agonistic and mounting behaviour, serum testosterone concentration and body weight in male pigs compared with boars and barrows
| Contributor(s):: Albrecht, Anna-Katharina, grosse Beilage, Elisabeth, Kanitz, Ellen, Puppe, Birger, Traulsen, Imke, Krieter, Joachim
The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of vaccination against boar taint on testosterone levels, body weight and behaviour in male fattening pigs when compared with boars and barrows. The study was carried out in two replicates over time. Pigs were allocated to fattening pens...
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Increasing the interval between winter outdoor exercise aggravates agonistic interactions in Hérens cows kept in tie-stalls
| Contributor(s):: Castro, Isabelle M. L., Gygax, Lorenz, Wechsler, Beat, Hauser, Rudolf
Cows of the dual-purpose Hérens breed are highly motivated to engage in dominance interactions and thus famous for the cow fights traditionally organised by Swiss breeders. However, this characteristic may result in excessively aggressive behaviour when cows kept in tie-stalls meet during winter...
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Effects of previous housing system on agonistic behaviors of growing pigs at mixing
| Contributor(s):: Li, Yuzhi, Wang, Lihua
Previous studies indicated that rearing environment in early life affects behavioral development, which consequently modifies behavioral response of pigs to stressful environments in later stages of the production. A study was conducted to investigate effects of group-farrowing system on behavior...
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Effect of mares’ dominance rank on suckling behaviour in the loose housed domestic horses
| Contributor(s):: Komárková, Martina, Bartošová, Jitka, Dubcová, Jana
Suckling is a main part of maternal investment in equids. The suckling period is crucial for adequate physical as well as psychical development of the foal. The rank of the mother and her aggressiveness could be factors responsible for later reproductive or social success of the foal. We...
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Dominance and growth of Diplodus sargus (Pisces: Sparidae) in small captive groups
| Contributor(s):: Gonçalves, Ana Ribeiro, de Sousa, Liliana Carvalho, Almada, Vitor Carvalho
The dominance hierarchies and the growth rate of the commercially important fish Diplodus sargus were assessed in this study. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that, if stable dominance orders were established, dominant fish would grow faster and show better condition factors than losers at...
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Agonistic behaviour after mixing in pigs under commercial farm conditions
| Contributor(s):: Stukenborg, Andreas, Traulsen, Imke, Puppe, Birger, Presuhn, Ulrich, Krieter, Joachim
The aim of the study was to investigate agonistic behaviour of pigs after regrouping pigs under commercial sow farm conditions. The behavioural patterns were observed over a 48-h period, directly after weaning (PIG-28; n=647) and 40 days later (growing pigs, PIG-68; n=224). Agonistic interactions...
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Comprehensive analysis of affiliative and agonistic social networks in lactating dairy cattle groups
| Contributor(s):: Foris, Borbala, Zebunke, Manuela, Langbein, Jan, Melzer, Nina
The social environment of dairy cattle is important for their welfare under modern housing and management conditions. Social tension can negatively affect individuals even in a well-designed and healthy environment whereas affiliative behaviour may improve their well-being. The complex social...
