Publications

Preference for and behavioural response to environmental enrichment in a small population of sexually mature, commercial boars

An increasing public concern over the welfare of livestock species is motivating more producers to consider changes to production practices. Providing environmental enrichment for intensively housed animals is one such potentially welfare-enhancing change. The goal of environmental enrichment is to...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Sirovica, L. V., Creamer, M., Horback, K. M. 2019. Preference for and behavioural response to environmental enrichment in a small population of sexually mature, commercial boars. Animal Welfare 28(3), 271-278.

Post-natal development of EEG responses to noxious stimulation in pigs (Sus scrofa) aged 1–15 days

This study examined electroencephalographic (EEG) indices of acute nociception in pigs (Sus scrofa) aged 1, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15 days, post-natal. Ten pigs per age were anaesthetised with halothane in oxygen and maintained at a light plane of...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Kells, N. J., Beausoleil, N. J., Sutherland, M. A. et al. 2019. Post-natal development of EEG responses to noxious stimulation in pigs (Sus scrofa) aged 1–15 days. Animal Welfare 28(3), 317-329.

Development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy calves from birth through to weaning

The aim of this study was to develop a welfare assessment protocol using different indicators, for pre-weaned dairy calves, that is feasible and time efficient. To this end, the protocol had to combine animal-based indicators (measurements on physiology, general appearance...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Barry, J., Kennedy, E., Sayers, R. et al. 2019. Development of a welfare assessment protocol for dairy calves from birth through to weaning. Animal Welfare 28(3), 331-344.

Application of a welfare assessment tool (Shelter Quality Protocol) in 64 Italian long-term dogs’ shelters: Welfare hazard analysis

The confined environment of the dog shelter, particularly over extensive time-periods can impact severely on welfare. Surveillance and assessment are therefore essential components of the welfare protocol. The aim of this study was to generate a descriptive analysis of a...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Arena, L., Berteselli, G. V., Lombardo, F. et al. 2019. Application of a welfare assessment tool (Shelter Quality Protocol) in 64 Italian long-term dogs' shelters: Welfare hazard analysis. Animal Welfare 28(3), 353-363.

Evaluation of euthanasia of sheep with intravenous saturated salt solutions to enable the collection of whole, intact brains

Captive bolts or firearms are unsuitable for euthanasia of livestock when an intact brain is required for diagnostics. Injectable barbiturates can be used, but this method carries risk of poisoning animals eating the carcase. Intravenous saturated salt solutions have been...

Year Published: 2019Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Stanger, K. J., Kells, N. J., Fisher, A. D. et al. 2019. Evaluation of euthanasia of sheep with intravenous saturated salt solutions to enable the collection of whole, intact brains. Animal Welfare 28(4), 397-406.

A systematic review of the potential uses of on-animal sensors to monitor the welfare of sheep evaluated using the Five Domains Model as a framework

This systematic review explores the use of on-animal sensors in sheep and their potential application in objective welfare monitoring. The key questions posed were: To what extent can current scientific knowledge inform a sensor-based approach to welfare evaluations? And, how...

Year Published: 2019Topics: External Bodily Equipment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Fogarty, E. S., Swain, D. L., Cronin, G. M. et al. 2019. A systematic review of the potential uses of on-animal sensors to monitor the welfare of sheep evaluated using the Five Domains Model as a framework. Animal Welfare 28(4), 407-420.

The effect of cage size on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis)

Reptiles are often used as model species in scientific research and are popular in the pet trade, yet how they cope with captive conditions has not been well studied. Stress caused by captivity could affect the endocrinology, physiology and behaviour...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Borgmans, G., Palme, R., Sannen, A. et al. 2019. The effect of cage size on stress levels in captive green anole (Anolis carolinensis). Animal Welfare 28(4), 455-464.

Prevalence and severity of tail lesions as a possible welfare indicator for rabbit does

The impact of behavioural disorders on animal welfare in modern animal husbandry has been much debated. While other abnormal behaviours have been explored at length, there are a paucity of studies on tail-biting in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). In the present...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Bill, J., Rauterberg, S. L., Stracke, J. et al. 2019. Prevalence and severity of tail lesions as a possible welfare indicator for rabbit does. Animal Welfare 28(4), 511-518.

Effect of slat and gap width of slatted concrete flooring on sow gait using kinematics analysis

The housing of gestating sows in groups requires sound information about the adapted design of the pen floor. Slatted concrete floors are commonly used for effective drainage of manure but can cause feet injuries and lameness. In the present study,...

Year Published: 2019Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Devillers, N., Janvier, E., Delijani, F. et al. 2019. Effect of slat and gap width of slatted concrete flooring on sow gait using kinematics analysis. Animals 9(5), 206.

Sow and piglet behaviour in group lactation housing from 7 or 14 days post-partum

Under natural conditions, sows and piglets abandon the nest between 7 and 14 days postpartum and re-join the group. If given the choice, commercially housed sows begin to nurse piglets communally around this time. The best age at which to...

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

Citation: Verdon, M., Morrison, R. S., Rault, J.-L. 2019. Sow and piglet behaviour in group lactation housing from 7 or 14 days post-partum. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 214, 25-33.