Publications

Effects of LED light color and intensity on feather pecking and fear responses of layer breeders in natural mating colony cages

Natural mating colony cages for layer breeders have become commonplace for layer breeders in China. However, feather pecking (FP) and cannibalism are prominent in this system. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of four light-emitting diode...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Shi, H., Li, B., Tong, Q. et al. 2019. Effects of LED light color and intensity on feather pecking and fear responses of layer breeders in natural mating colony cages. Animals 9(10), 814.

Given the cold shoulder: A review of the scientific literature for evidence of reptile sentience

We searched a selection of the scientific literature to document evidence for, and explorations into reptile sentience. The intention of this review was to highlight; (1) to what extent reptile capability for emotions have been documented in the scientific literature;...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Lambert, H., Carder, G., D'Cruze, N. 2019. Given the cold shoulder: A review of the scientific literature for evidence of reptile sentience. Animals 9(10), 821.

Effects of ground floor type on selected health-parameters and weight of rabbits reared in group pens

Cage housing of growing rabbits is associated with welfare concerns. An alternative system that has already been introduced involves pens with non-wire floors. An important aspect of group pens, for which the best solution has not yet been clearly demonstrated,...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Windschnurer, I., Waiblinger, S., Hanslik, S. et al. 2019. Effects of ground floor type on selected health-parameters and weight of rabbits reared in group pens. Animals 9(5), 216.

The effects of environmental enrichment on the physiology, behaviour, productivity and meat quality of pigs raised in a hot climate

Some positive effects regarding the use of enrichment material on the stimulation of pig exploration and a reduction in redirected behaviour was reported. This study aims to evaluate the effects of four enrichment materials on the behaviour, physiology/health, performance and...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Fàbrega, E., Marcet-Rius, M., Vidal, R. et al. 2019. The effects of environmental enrichment on the physiology, behaviour, productivity and meat quality of pigs raised in a hot climate. Animals 9(5), 235.

Human-animal interactions in dairy buffalo farms

This study aimed to assess the relationship between stockperson behavior and buffalo behavior. The research was carried out in 27 buffalo farms. The behavior of stockpeople and animals during milking and the avoidance distance at the feeding place were recorded....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Napolitano, F., Serrapica, F., Braghieri, A. et al. 2019. Human-animal interactions in dairy buffalo farms. Animals 9(5), 246.

Providing effective environmental enrichment to pigs: How far have we come?

Science has defined the characteristics of effective environmental enrichment for pigs. We provide an overview of progress towards the provision of pig enrichment in the three largest global pork producing regions. In the USA, enrichment has not yet featured on...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: van de Weerd, H., Ison, S. 2019. Providing effective environmental enrichment to pigs: How far have we come? Animals 9(5), 254.

Cow lying behaviour and bedding quality changes during five weeks on a stand-off pad

Bedding quality and cow lying time were measured during five weeks in a normal farm practice (NFP) off-paddock system with no bedding refreshment. Two groups of 100 non-lactating dairy cows were compared to groups of 8 cows with fresh bedding...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: O'Connor, C., Dowling, S., Cave, V. et al. 2019. Cow lying behaviour and bedding quality changes during five weeks on a stand-off pad. Animals 9(5), 257.

Validation of a commercial automated body condition scoring system on a commercial dairy farm

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the management practice of assessing body reserves of individual animals by visual or tactile estimation of subcutaneous fat and muscle. Both high and low BCS can negatively impact milk production, disease, and reproduction. Visual or...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Mullins, I. L., Truman, C. M., Campler, M. et al. 2019. Validation of a commercial automated body condition scoring system on a commercial dairy farm. Animals 9(6), 287-287.

Investigations on the influence of floor design on dirtiness and foot pad lesions in growing rabbits

In Germany, an animal welfare ordinance for the housing of rabbits was issued which did not take into account the current investigations on floor design. The aim of the investigations was to study the effects of floor design on dirtiness...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Masthoff, T., Hoy, S. 2019. Investigations on the influence of floor design on dirtiness and foot pad lesions in growing rabbits. Animals 9(6), 354.

Effects of enrichment type, presentation and social status on enrichment use and behaviour of sows with electronic sow feeding

The goal of this study was to identify practical enrichments for sows in partially or fully slatted pen systems. Four treatments were applied: (1) Constant: constant provision of wood on chain; (2) Rotate: rotation of rope, straw and wood enrichments;...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Roy, C., Lippens, L., Kyeiwaa, V. et al. 2019. Effects of enrichment type, presentation and social status on enrichment use and behaviour of sows with electronic sow feeding. Animals 9(6), 369.