scholarly journals Stereotypic Behavior in Fattening Bulls

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Schneider ◽  
Nicole Kemper ◽  
Birgit Spindler
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Stereotypic Behavior ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Fattening Period

The occurrence of stereotypies in captive animals may indicate restrictions in animal welfare. In cattle, common stereotypies are tongue playing, manipulation of objects, or conspecifics. However, to our knowledge, the occurrence of stereotypies in fattening cattle was only analyzed in studies several decades old. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence of stereotypies in fattening bulls housed in different systems. On three German fattening farms, a total of 243 fattening bulls housed in groups of 14, 16, 22, and 33 animals in straw-bedded pens were observed. Behavioral observations were performed via video recordings during three observation periods distributed over the whole fattening period, using a scan sampling technique. In 234 of 243 bulls, stereotypies were observed at least once. During 15.9 ± 2.4% of the scan intervals, stereotypies were observed in at least one animal per pen. Average numbers of stereotypies per animal and hour ranged from 0.2 to 0.9. The most common stereotypy was manipulating objects, followed by tongue playing and manipulating conspecifics. These results indicate that stereotypies are highly prevalent in fattening bulls under current housing conditions. They underline the need for further studies to analyze the causation of stereotypies in order to reduce their frequency.

scholarly journals Feather Corticosterone Measurements of Greater Flamingos Living under Different Forms of Flight Restraint

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Reese ◽  
Katrin Baumgartner ◽  
Lorenzo von Fersen ◽  
Roswitha Merle ◽  
Mechthild Ladwig-Wiegard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Measurable Effect ◽  
Behavioral Observations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Greater Flamingos ◽  
Feather Corticosterone

Deflighting zoo birds is a practice that receives increasing criticism due to its presumed incompatibility with animal welfare. To our knowledge, this is the first approach to address this problem in a scientific way. To do this, we compared feather corticosterone (CORTf) from Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus, n = 151) of different flight status (i.e., pinioned, feather clipped, airworthy) from twelve different zoological institutions. To complement the hormone measurements, behavioral observations (scan samplings) were conducted prior to feather sampling within the presumed time frame of feather growth. We hypothesized that CORTf of the deflighted flamingos would differ from CORTf of their airworthy conspecifics. No significant difference in CORTf was found between the three groups, and our hypothesis was rejected. However, the impact of the institution itself (i.e., the housing conditions) proved to be the most dominant variable (variance between the institutions = 53.82%). Due to high variability, the behavioral observations were evaluated descriptively but did not give rise to doubt the findings in CORTf. Therefore, we assume that the method of flight restraint of Greater Flamingos does not have a measurable effect on CORTf. We consider this model for evaluating animal welfare of zoo birds a useful tool and provide ideas for further adjustments for consecutive studies.

scholarly journals Age - related behaviour on individually caged rabbits

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. KATSAROU (Α. ΚΑΤΣΑΡΟΥ) ◽  
A. TSIRONI (Α. ΤΣΙΡΩΝΗ) ◽  
M. SERAFETINIDOU (Μ. ΣΕΡΑΦΕΤΙΝΙΔΟΥ) ◽  
C. VOYAZAKI (Χ. ΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΑΚΗ) ◽  
V. BAUMANS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Enrichment Programs ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Enrichment Program ◽  
Group A

Housing conditions and environmental enrichment of individually caged laboratory rabbits is of great importance for the welfare of the animals and the quality of the experimental results. In order to improve the design of existing environmental enrichment programs for laboratory rabbits, considerable knowledge of the behavioural needs of this species is necessary. Taking this into consideration, the aim of this study was to monitor and analyze the behaviour of juvenile and young adult rabbits in order to establish whether there are any age-dependent differences in grooming, rearing, sniffing, eating, drinking and gnawing. 12 NZW rabbits were divided into two groups: group A consisted of six 6-month-old rabbits (young adults) and group Β consisted of six 2-month-old rabbits (juvenile). All animals were already housed for more than twenty days under the same conditions in the animal facility. Both groups of rabbits were video-recorded between 06:00h - 18:00h for four consecutive days. The frequency of each behaviour was determined and compared in the two groups of rabbits from the video recordings. The frequencies of grooming, eating and gnawing in the young rabbits were significantly greater than those in the older rabbits (p<0.05). No statistical differences were found between the two groups for rearing, sniffing and drinking. From these results, we concluded that even small age differences should be taken into account when designing an environmental enrichment program for individually caged rabbits.

scholarly journals Dropping the Ball? The Welfare of Ball Pythons Traded in the EU and North America

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil D’Cruze ◽  
Suzi Paterson ◽  
Jennah Green ◽  
David Megson ◽  
Clifford Warwick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
North America ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Commercial Enterprise ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Water Provision ◽  
The Eu

Ball pythons (family Pythonidae) remain a commonly exploited species, readily available for purchase in North America and Europe. We assessed the housing conditions of more than 5000 Ball pythons across six exotic pet expositions and 113 YouTube videos. We scored provisions for hygiene, mobility, shelter, substrate and water provision, based on the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals (RSPCA) minimum guidelines. We found most entities involved in this commercial enterprise are not providing housing conditions that meet the minimum welfare recommendations for Ball pythons, either publicly or privately. We found that breeders and vendors typically utilised small and highly restrictive enclosures, with dimensions that prevented occupants from extending their bodies to full and unrestricted natural length. Our study also highlights that most vendors are not providing adequate written husbandry guidance to potential consumers, either at exotic pet expositions, on their commercial website, or on associated social media pages. Furthermore, our study also indicates that most potential consumers may themselves be unable to recognise unsuitable housing conditions that do not meet minimum animal welfare standards for Ball pythons. We suggest that more consistent guidance, adherence to agree principles and more potent operating models that are formally incorporated into relevant legislation would greatly aid existing and future efforts to safeguard animal welfare in this regard.

scholarly journals Comparing welfare indicators in dairy cattle under different loose housing systems (deep litter vs cubicle barns) using recycled manure solids for bedding

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. e0501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Molina ◽  
Estrella I. Agüera ◽  
Carlos C. Pérez-Marín ◽  
Francisco Maroto-Molina
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Welfare Quality ◽  
The Impact

Aim of study: Dairy farmers in Southern Spain are continuously investing in the modernization of their facilities and frequently ask technicians about the type of housing they should choose for their farms. Although some studies have analysed the economic impact of different housing systems, there are no reports evaluating the impact of these systems on animal wellbeing. To remedy this deficit, a study was carried out to analyse animal welfare status in two types of loose housing conditions: deep litter (DL) and cubicle (CU) barns.Area of study: This study was conducted in Cordoba (Spain).Material and methods: A total of 1,597 cows from nineteen commercial dairy farms were involved in this study, of which twelve had CU barns and seven had DL barns. Welfare Quality assessment was used to evaluate animal wellbeing, inn order to compare both housing systems.Main results: The study found some weaknesses for feeding and health indicators of animal welfare in both types of housing systems. The overall welfare assessment based on feeding, housing and health indicators showed no differences between farms with DL or CU barns.Research highlights: A good welfare status could be reached under any type of housing system.

scholarly journals Animal-appropriate housing of ball pythons (Python regius) — Behavior-based evaluation of two types of housing systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Hollandt ◽  
Markus Baur ◽  
Caroline Wöhr
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Behavior ◽  
The Body ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Python Regius ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Hiding Place ◽  
Uv Lamp ◽  
Abnormal Behaviors ◽  
Indirect Illumination

AbstractConsidering animal welfare, animals should be kept in animal-appropriate and stress-free housing conditions in all circumstances. To assure such conditions, not only basic needs must be met, but also possibilities must be provided that allow animals in captive care to express all species-typical behaviors. Rack housing systems for snakes have become increasingly popular and are widely used; however, from an animal welfare perspective, they are no alternative to furnished terrariums. In this study, we therefore evaluated two types of housing systems for ball pythons (Python regius) by considering the welfare aspect animal behavior. In Part 1 of the study, ball pythons (n = 35) were housed individually in a conventional rack system. The pythons were provided with a hiding place and a water bowl, temperature control was automatic, and the lighting in the room served as indirect illumination. In Part 2 of the study, the same ball pythons, after at least 8 weeks, were housed individually in furnished terrariums. The size of each terrarium was correlated with the body length of each python. The terrariums contained substrate, a hiding place, possibilities for climbing, a water basin for bathing, an elevated basking spot, and living plants. The temperature was controlled automatically, and illumination was provided by a fluorescent tube and a UV lamp. The shown behavior spectrum differed significantly between the two housing systems (p < 0.05). The four behaviors basking, climbing, burrowing, and bathing could only be expressed in the terrarium. Abnormal behaviors that could indicate stereotypies were almost exclusively seen in the rack system. The results show that the housing of ball pythons in a rack system leads to a considerable restriction in species-typical behaviors; thus, the rack system does not meet the requirements for animal-appropriate housing.

scholarly journals Behavioral Diversity as a Potential Indicator of Positive Animal Welfare

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lance J. Miller ◽  
Greg A. Vicino ◽  
Jessica Sheftel ◽  
Lisa K. Lauderdale
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Stereotypic Behavior ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Behavioral Diversity ◽  
Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites ◽  
Potential Indicator ◽  
Animal Care ◽  
Positive Animal

Modern day zoos and aquariums continuously assess the welfare of their animals and use evidence to make informed management decisions. Historically, many of the indicators of animal welfare used to assess the collection are negative indicators of welfare, such as stereotypic behavior. However, a lack of negative indicators of animal welfare does not demonstrate that an individual animal is thriving. There is a need for validated measures of positive animal welfare and there is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of behavioral diversity as a positive indicator of welfare. This includes an inverse relationship with stereotypic behavior as well as fecal glucocorticoid metabolites and is typically higher in situations thought to promote positive welfare. This review article highlights previous research on behavioral diversity as a potential positive indicator of welfare. Details are provided on how to calculate behavioral diversity and how to use it when evaluating animal welfare. Finally, the review will indicate how behavioral diversity can be used to inform an evidence-based management approach to animal care and welfare.

scholarly journals Impact of blood sampling technique on blood quality and animal welfare in haemophilic mice

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Holmberg ◽  
Maria Kristina Kiersgaard ◽  
Lars Friis Mikkelsen ◽  
Mikael Tranholm
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Blood Sampling

scholarly journals Technological recommendations in rabbit production

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 132-138
Author(s):  
Károly Bodnár ◽  
László Makra ◽  
Erika Skobrák Bodnár
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Animal Rights ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Floor Space ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Cage Floor ◽  
The Everyday

In the last ten years a number of research were done and articles were published in order to improve or change the housing conditions of rabbits. These studies focus on the customer needs and changes in expectations based usually on animal welfare. During farm visits we found that the housing circumstances among those factors which are emphasized individually or jointly appeared in the everyday life of rabbit farming (for example: optimal micro-climate, cage floor space, type of floor, keeping mode, environmental enrichment, etc.). In our work we tried to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each procedure. In many cases it is difficult to create perfect coherence with the ideas of animal rights, animal needs and economic interests of the farmers. The number of results and ideas for implementation of all the correct procedures is so great that it is certainly impossible to keep them a time and place in a single technology. Of course, if the changes are generated by the consumer demands, then the farmer has to adapt to expectations in order to keep the market (and sometimes ignoring some other aspects).

scholarly journals Animal welfare and zoonosis risk: anti-Trichinella antibodies in breeding pigs farmed under controlled housing conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Pozio ◽  
Mario Celli ◽  
Alessandra Ludovisi ◽  
Maria Interisano ◽  
Marco Amati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Trichinella Spiralis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Muscle Tissues ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Pig Farm ◽  
A Site ◽  
Free Ranging

Abstract Background Domesticated pigs are the main source of Trichinella sp. infections for humans, particularly when reared in backyards or free-ranging. In temperate areas of southern Europe, most pigs are farmed under controlled housing conditions, but sows and sometimes fattening pigs have access to outdoors to improve animal welfare. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether outdoor access of breeding pigs farmed under controlled housing conditions can represent a risk for Trichinella sp. transmission when the farm is located in an agricultural area interspersed with wooded areas and badlands, where Trichinella spp. could be present in wildlife. Methods Serum samples were collected from 63 breeding sows and one boar before and after their access to an open fenced area for 2 months and from 84 pigs that never had outdoor access. Samples were screened for anti-Trichinella antibodies by ELISA, and positive sera were confirmed using Western blot (Wb) excretory/secretory antigens. To detect Trichinella sp. larvae, muscle tissues from serologically positive and negative pigs were tested by artificial digestion. Results Thirteen (20.6%) sows and one boar tested positive with both ELISA and Wb. No larvae were detected in muscle samples of serologically positive and serologically negative pigs. Positive serum samples were then tested by Wb using crude worm extract as antigens. The Wb banding pattern displayed was that characteristic of encapsulated species (Trichinella spiralis or Trichinella britovi). Conclusions The detection of anti-Trichinella antibodies without larvae in the pig muscles, supported by epidemiological data, suggests that pigs may have been exposed to T. britovi. This study stresses the importance of instigating monitoring systems at farm level to prevent Trichinella sp. transmission and to investigate, through a landscape parasitological study, the suitability of a site before the planting of a high containment level pig farm in which the sows can have outside access to improve their welfare during pregnancy. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Poor implementation of non-invasive sampling in wildlife genetics studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 119-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam A. Zemanova
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Genetic Sampling ◽  
Global Extinction ◽  
The Impact

The Earth’s biodiversity is currently experiencing immense pressure from habitat loss, overexploitation, global climate change, and invasive species, which escalate the global extinction crisis. Comprehensive knowledge of the extent and impact of biodiversity loss is therefore critical for determining species vulnerability and prioritizing conservation goals. An integral part of wildlife conservation research and management is nowadays genetic sampling. Animal DNA has been traditionally obtained invasively, from blood or other tissues, however public concerns over animal welfare require that animals are affected as little as possible during research. One of the ways to minimize the impact on wildlife animal welfare is to use non-invasive genetic sampling. Even though non-invasive genetic sampling techniques have been developed for many animal species, it is not clear how often they are being implemented. Here, I present an overview of recently published articles on genetics in amphibians, birds, carnivores, molluscs and rodents, for which I examined whether they used a lethal, invasive or non-invasive DNA sampling technique. Disappointingly, only 22% of the identified relevant studies implemented the available non-invasive genetic sampling method. I conclude highlighting the need for better implementation of non-invasive DNA collection methods in wildlife research through raising awareness, increasing financial support, and introducing more stringent criteria for obtaining research permits.

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