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Interaction and Emotional Connection with Pets: A Descriptive Analysis from Puerto Rico
Contributor(s):: Aragunde-Kohl, U., Gómez-Galán, J., Lázaro-Pérez, C., Martínez-López, JÁ
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Methodology for experimental and observational animal studies in cow-calf contact systems
Contributor(s):: de Oliveira, D., Barth, K., Haskell, M. J., Hillmann, E., Jensen, M. B., Johnsen, J. F., Mejdell, C., Waiblinger, S., Ferneborg, S.
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Test of temperament in mink is influenced by a shelf in the front of the cage and the stimulus size rather than by features of the test person
Contributor(s):: Henriksen, Britt I. F., Møller, Steen H., Malmkvist, Jens
The study evaluates the effect of different test conditions on the temperament of farm mink, using the stick test. We hypothesised that mink perceive some test conditions as more fear eliciting. Specifically, we hypothesised that (A) the dimension of the presented stimulus in the test, a wooden...
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The effect of perches and aviary tiers on the mating behaviour of two hybrids of broiler breeders
Contributor(s):: Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine G., Jordan, Anja, Toscano, Michael J., Würbel, Hanno
Broiler breeders are kept for the production of fertile eggs. They face serious welfare problems like aggressive behaviour of the males towards females during mating. Furthermore, broiler breeders are usually kept without perches which are a highly valued resource in chickens. The aim of the...
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Handling and moving cull sows upon arrival at the slaughterhouse—Effects of small versus larger groups of sows
Contributor(s):: Herskin, Mette S., Christensen, Sanne W., Rousing, Tine
In modern pig production up to 50 % of the sows are slaughtered each year. So far, only few studies have focused on how sows are handled and moved within slaughterhouses. We examined effects of group size on the behaviour of sows and the ease of moving them from the entrance of a slaughterhouse...
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Comparative assessment of general behaviour and fear-related responses in hatchery-hatched and on-farm hatched broiler chickens
Contributor(s):: Giersberg, Mona F., Poolen, Ilse, de Baere, Kris, Gunnink, Henk, van Hattum, Theo, van Riel, Johan W., de Jong, Ingrid C.
Traditionally, broiler chickens hatch in the hatchery and they are usually not provided with feed and water until placement at the farm. This can have negative effects on their health and welfare. Therefore, alternative systems providing early nutrition, for instance by hatching eggs in a poultry...
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'All Ears': A Questionnaire of 1516 Owner Perceptions of the Mental Abilities of Pet Rabbits, Subsequent Resource Provision, and the Effect on Welfare
Contributor(s):: McMahon, S. A., Wigham, E.
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Influence of the Competition Context on Arousal in Agility Dogs
Contributor(s):: Carpenter, Alison M., Guy, Jonathan H., Leach, Matthew C.
To determine whether participation in dog agility has an impact on canine arousal and welfare, this study aimed firstly to identify the effect of the competition context on arousal changes experienced by dogs, as distinct from purely physical participation in agility, and secondly to assess the...
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The Ethics and Welfare Implications of Keeping Western European Hedgehogs (erinaceus Europaeus) in Captivity
Contributor(s):: Jones, S. A., Chapman, Stella
Patient outcomes for hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) casualties are not limited to release versus euthanasia; some hedgehogs have conditions that do not preclude their ability to survive in captivity with human intervention. This research explored the welfare implications and ethical issues of...
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Infrared Thermography as an Indicator of Heat Loss in Fur-Chewing Chinchillas (Chinchilla Lanigera)
Contributor(s):: Łapiński, Stanisław, Orel, Joanna, Niedbała, Piotr, Kucharska, Weronika, Jakubowska, Magdalena, Lisowska-Lis, Agnieszka, Tombarkiewicz, Barbara, Lis, Marcin W.
Fur-chewing is a common problem in chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera). It may affect the welfare of animals due to heat loss, thereby possibly impacting food and water intake to maintain body temperature. In this context, infrared thermography seems to be a suitable method of measuring heat...
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Development and Validation of Broiler Welfare Assessment Methods for Research and On-farm Audits
Contributor(s):: Meyer, Meaghan M., Johnson, Anna K., Bobeck, Elizabeth A.
Required auditing of on-farm broiler welfare in the United States has increased; however, a lack of validated tools exists for assessment of enrichment. National Chicken Council (NCC) guidelines were used on a subset of 300 Ross 308 broilers out of 1200 to validate and adapt welfare measures....
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The effects of the Spanish COVID-19 lockdown on people, their pets and the human-animal bond
Contributor(s):: Bowen, J., García, E., Darder, P., Argüelles, J., Fatjó, J.
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Understanding the Behavior of Sanctuary-Housed Chimpanzees During Public Programs
Contributor(s):: Hansen, Bethany K., Hopper, Lydia M., Fultz, Amy L., Ross, Stephen R.
At zoos, and some sanctuaries, members of the public can observe the resident animals. Examining the characteristics and consequences of this type of human–animal encounter is important to understand public education and engagement as well as animal behavior and welfare. Zoos typically have a...
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Caring for the horse in a cold climate—Reviewing principles for thermoregulation and horse preferences
Contributor(s):: Mejdell, Cecilie M., Bøe, Knut Egil, Jørgensen, Grete H. M.
In the Nordic countries, permanent outdoor housing of horses in winter is gaining popularity. This practice will expose the horses to harsh weather conditions. However, horses that are kept indoors at night and turned out in the cold during daytime also experience thermoregulatory challenges....
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Context-related variation in the peripartum vocalisations and phonatory behaviours of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows
Contributor(s):: Green, Alexandra C., Clark, Cameron E. F., Lomax, Sabrina, Favaro, Livio, Reby, David
Context-related information can be reflected within mammalian vocalisations and could in turn be studied to benefit production animals. Whilst previous research has revealed the contextual, and even emotional content of goat, pig and horse vocalisations, cattle vocalisations remain relatively...
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Early social experiences do not affect first lactation production traits, longevity or locomotion reaction to group change in female dairy cattle
Contributor(s):: Valníčková, Barbora, Šárová, Radka, Špinka, Marek
Under natural conditions cows and their calves live together. In dairy practice, calves are separated from their mothers within hours after birth and then housed individually. This study investigated the effects of the presence of the dam during the colostrum feeding period and subsequent group...
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A multifactorial evaluation of different reproductive rhythms and housing systems for improving welfare in rabbit does
Contributor(s):: Munari, Chiara, Ponzio, Patrizia, Macchi, Elisabetta, Elkhawagah, Ahmed R., Tarantola, Martina, Ponti, Giovanna, Mugnai, Cecilia
The most widespread reproductive rhythm practiced in rabbit farming is based on artificial insemination (AI) performed at around 11 days pospartum. This approach results in high production rates, but requires high yearly replacement of animals that cannot sustain the enormous energy demand....
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The opening of a hinged farrowing crate improves lactating sows’ welfare
Contributor(s):: Ceballos, Maria Camila, Góis, Karen Camille R., Parsons, Thomas D.
Concerns about the welfare of lactating sows housed in farrowing crates have emerged because crates physically restrict the sows and possibly compromise their behavior and comfort. The aim of this study was to identify how the opening of a hinged farrowing crate on different days (4 or 7)...
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A novel protocol to measure startle magnitude in sheep
Contributor(s):: Salvin, Hannah, Cafe, Linda, Lees, Angela, Morris, Stephen, Lee, Caroline
Temperament is a trait of interest as it impacts ease of handling, production and reactivity to stressful situations. Excessive behavioural reactivity, as an aspect of temperament, may lead to reduced welfare and stockperson safety. Current tests of behavioural reactivity involve isolating the...
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Herd dynamics and distribution of zebu cows and calves (Bos indicus) are affected by state before, during and after calving
Contributor(s):: Pérez-Torres, Libia, Averós, Xavier, Estevez, Inma, Rubio, Ivette, Corro, Manuel, Clemente, Neftalí, Orihuela, Agustín
To investigate whether zebu (Bos indicus) cows organize in different social groups according to their physiological state, cow–cow and cow–calf distances were measured. A single herd of 31 multiparous cows around parturition was observed for 6 weeks. Through the evaluation period, animals were...
