Publications

Effect of different environment enrichments on behaviour and social interactions in growing pigs

Background: Pigs are active animals that require a suitable environment to be able to express their exploratory behaviour. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of different environmental enrichments on the behaviour, social interactions, salivary cortisol...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Giuliotti, L., Benvenuti, M. N., Giannarelli, A. et al. 2019. Effect of different environment enrichments on behaviour and social interactions in growing pigs. Animals 9(3), 101.

Growing pigs’ interest in enrichment objects with different characteristics and cleanliness

Enrichment objects can be a practical way to provide rooting and chewing material to growing pigs, on which they can express species-specific behaviors. The challenge is to provide enrichment objects that will satisfy pigs' behavioral needs, while being practical and...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Beaudoin, J.-M., Bergeron, R., Devillers, N. et al. 2019. Growing pigs' interest in enrichment objects with different characteristics and cleanliness. Animals 9(3), 85.

Development of an automated pain facial expression detection system for sheep (Ovis aries)

The use of technology to optimize the production and management of each individual animal is becoming key to good farming. There is a need for the real-time systematic detection and control of disease in animals in order to limit the...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: McLennan, K., Mahmoud, M. 2019. Development of an automated pain facial expression detection system for sheep (Ovis aries). Animals 9(4), 196.

Grooming device effects on behaviour and welfare of Japanese black fattening cattle

In livestock farming, a stark or barren environment compromises animal welfare. Environmental enrichment has been used to address the issue. For this study, after fattening cattle were provided with a grooming device (a brush), its effect on animal self-grooming and...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Ninomiya, S. 2019. Grooming device effects on behaviour and welfare of Japanese black fattening cattle. Animals 9(4), 186.

Lying postures of dairy cows in cubicles and on pasture

Cows housed indoors with cubicles are probably more restricted in their choice of lying posture and orientation compared with cows housed on pasture. We therefore compared lying postures on pasture in Uruguay and the Netherlands with lying postures in cubicles...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: van Erp-van der Kooij, E., Almalik, O., Cavestany, D. et al. 2019. Lying postures of dairy cows in cubicles and on pasture. Animals 9(4), 183.

The use of garlic oil for olfactory enrichment increases the use of ropes in weaned pigs

Pig producers are required to provide environmental enrichment to provide pigs the opportunity to perform investigative and manipulative behaviours (EU directive 2001/93/EC). Preventing enrichment from losing its novelty and decreasing the rate at which animals become habituated is important to...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Blackie, N., de Sousa, M. 2019. The use of garlic oil for olfactory enrichment increases the use of ropes in weaned pigs. Animals 9(4), 148.

Rearing undocked pigs on fully slatted floors using multiple types and variations of enrichment

In fully slatted systems, tail biting is difficult to manage when pigs' tails are not docked because loose enrichment material can obstruct slurry systems. This pilot study sought to determine: a) whether intact-tailed pigs can be reared with a manageable...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Chou, J.-Y., Drique, C. M. V., Sandercock, D. A. et al. 2019. Rearing undocked pigs on fully slatted floors using multiple types and variations of enrichment. Animals 9(4), 139.

An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages

Feather pecking is a continuous welfare challenge in the housing of egg-laying hens. Canada is currently making the transition from conventional cages to alternative housing systems. However, feather damage (FD) among laying hens due to feather pecking remains a welfare...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Decina, C., Berke, O., van Staaveren, N. et al. 2019. An investigation of associations between management and feather damage in Canadian laying hens housed in furnished cages. Animals 9(4), 135.

Efforts to ban the routine tail docking of pigs and to give pigs enrichment materials via EU Law: Where do we stand a quarter of a century on?

In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the European Commission must ensure that Member States enforce EU law within their territories. If adequate enforcement is found to be wanting, the Commission also has the power to take infringement procedures...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Nalon, E., De Briyne, N. 2019. Efforts to ban the routine tail docking of pigs and to give pigs enrichment materials via EU Law: Where do we stand a quarter of a century on? Animals 9(4), 132.

Standard laboratory housing for mice restricts their ability to segregate space into clean and dirty areas

Laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are typically housed in simple cages consisting of one open space. These standard cages may thwart mouse ability to segregate resting areas from areas where they eliminate, a behaviour that is prevalent across the animal kingdom....

Year Published: 2019Topics: Housing, Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Makowska, I. J., Franks, B., El-Hinn, C. et al. 2019. Standard laboratory housing for mice restricts their ability to segregate space into clean and dirty areas. Scientific Reports 9, 6179.