Bird

Energy assessment from broiler chicks’ vocalization might help improve welfare and production

Vocalization seems to be a viable source of signal for assessing broiler welfare. However, it may require an understanding of the birds' signals, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The delivery of calls with a specific set of acoustic features must be...

Year Published: 2023Topics: VocalizationAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Pereira, E., Nääs, I. de A., Ivale, A. H. et al. 2023. Energy assessment from broiler chicks' vocalization might help improve welfare and production. Animals 13(1), 15.

Enclosure background preferences differ between sexes and color morphs in the Gouldian finch

Most wild animals camouflage well into their environment, providing protection from predators, whereas captive animals often contrast with their background. This can cause stress for the animal, which may perceive it as being exposed. Theory suggests that prey is more...

Year Published: 2023Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Moise, R. I., Eccles, G. R., Mettke-Hofmann, C. 2023. Enclosure background preferences differ between sexes and color morphs in the Gouldian finch. Animals 13(8), 1353.

Envirionmental and social influences on the behaviour of free-living mandarin ducks in richmond park

Many species of birds are housed in zoos globally and are some of the most popular of animals kept under human care. Careful observations of how species live and behave in their natural habitats can provide us with important knowledge...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Natural Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Munday, C., Rose, P. 2022. Envirionmental and social influences on the behaviour of free-living mandarin ducks in richmond park. Animals 12(19), 2554.

Effects of swimming pool conditions and floor types on white roman geese’s physical condition scores and behaviors in an indoor rearing system

Biosecurity problems, including the continual risk of avian influenza spread by wild birds, have severely affected traditional free-range waterfowl production systems. Regulations and techniques for indoor goose production require more considerations for animal welfare. This study investigated the effects of...

Year Published: 2022Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Liao, S.-C., Lyu, P.-X., Shen, S.-Y. et al. 2022. Effects of swimming pool conditions and floor types on white roman geese's physical condition scores and behaviors in an indoor rearing system. Animals 12(23), 3273.

Comparing different environmental enrichments for improving the welfare and walking ability of male turkeys

This study investigated age-related changes in turkey welfare measures (wounds, feather quality (FQ), feather cleanliness, and footpad condition (FCON)) and walking ability (gait) as influenced by different types of environmental enrichment (EE). Tom turkeys (n = 420) were randomly assigned...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Dong, Y., Fraley, G. S., Siegford, J. M. et al. 2023. Comparing different environmental enrichments for improving the welfare and walking ability of male turkeys. PLOS ONE 18(5), e0285347.

Environmental complexity and reduced stocking density promote positive behavioral outcomes in broiler chickens

The objective was to evaluate the impacts of a complex environment and stocking density on Ross 708 broiler chicken behaviors. Eight pens contained either high complexity (HC) or low complexity (LC) environments, and high (HD) or low (LD) density. Through...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Evans, L., Brooks, G. C., Anderson, M. G. et al. 2023. Environmental complexity and reduced stocking density promote positive behavioral outcomes in broiler chickens. Animals 13(13), 2074.

Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare

A fundamental understanding of behavior is essential to improving the welfare of billions of farm animals around the world. Despite living in an environment managed by humans, farm animals are still capable of making important behavioral decisions that influence welfare....

Year Published: 2022Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Cattle, Chicken, Equine, Fowl, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: Lee, V. E., Arnott, G., Turner, S. P. 2022. Social behavior in farm animals: Applying fundamental theory to improve animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 932217.

Effects of housing system on anxiety, chronic stress, fear, and immune function in Bovan brown laying hens

The scientific community needs objective measures to appropriately assess animal welfare. The study objective was to assess the impact of housing system on novel physiological and behavioral measurements of animal welfare for laying hens, including secretory and plasma Immunoglobulin (IgA;...

Year Published: 2022Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Campbell, A. M., Johnson, A. M., Persia, M. E. et al. 2022. Effects of housing system on anxiety, chronic stress, fear, and immune function in Bovan brown laying hens. Animals 12(14), 1803.

Increasing environmental complexity by providing different types of litter and perches during early rearing boosts coping abilities in domestic fowl chicks

Early experience of a complex environment can improve biologically relevant traits related to coping abilities. However, the mechanisms underlying these positive effects have not been well explored. We hypothesized that giving chicks possibilities to express choices within relevant resources could...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Nazar, F. N., Skånberg, L., McCrea, K. et al. 2022. Increasing environmental complexity by providing different types of litter and perches during early rearing boosts coping abilities in domestic fowl chicks. Animals 12(15), 1969.

Environmental enrichment as part of the improvement of the welfare of Japanese quails

The aim of this study was to evaluate the indicators of the behavioural and physiological welfare of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) as possible responses to the enrichment of the birds' habitat. The study sample consisted of 280 Japanese quails (224...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Ramankevich, A., Wengerska, K., Rokicka, K. et al. 2022. Environmental enrichment as part of the improvement of the welfare of Japanese quails. Animals 12(15), 1963.