Publications

Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of extensively managed ewes

The reliability and feasibility of 10 animal-based measures of ewe welfare were examined for use in extensive sheep production systems. Measures were: Body condition score (BCS), rumen fill, fleece cleanliness, fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score, foot-wall integrity,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Munoz, C., Campbell, A., Hemsworth, P. et al. 2018. Animal-based measures to assess the welfare of extensively managed ewes. Animals 8(1), 2.

Understanding tail-biting in pigs through social network analysis

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between social structure and incidence of tail-biting in pigs. Pigs (n = 144, initial weight = 7.2 ± 1.57 kg, 4 weeks of age) were grouped based on their litter...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Li, Y., Zhang, H., Johnston, L. et al. 2018. Understanding tail-biting in pigs through social network analysis. Animals 8(1), 13.

Assessment of plumage and integument condition in dual-purpose breeds and conventional layers

The assessment of plumage and integument condition in laying hens provides useful information about the occurrence of feather pecking and cannibalism. Although feather loss and skin injuries can result from mechanical abrasion or clinical diseases, they are valid animal-based indicators...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Giersberg, M., Spindler, B., Kemper, N. 2017. Assessment of plumage and integument condition in dual-purpose breeds and conventional layers. Animals 7(12), 97.

Environmental enrichment for sucker and weaner pigs: The effect of enrichment block shape on the behavioural interaction by pigs with the blocks

This experiment tested the effect of enrichment-block shape on oro-nasal contact by young pigs, and possible habituation to the blocks. Nineteen litters (197 piglets) were randomly allocated to one of three block-shape treatments: Cube, Brick, or Wedge. Oro-nasal contact with...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Winfield, J., Macnamara, G., Macnamara, B. et al. 2017. Environmental enrichment for sucker and weaner pigs: The effect of enrichment block shape on the behavioural interaction by pigs with the blocks. Animals 7(12), 91.

To group or not to group? Good practice for housing male laboratory mice

It is widely recommended to group-house male laboratory mice because they are ‘social animals', but male mice do not naturally share territories and aggression can be a serious welfare problem. Even without aggression, not all animals within a group will...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kappel, S., Hawkins, P., Mendl, M. 2017. To group or not to group? Good practice for housing male laboratory mice. Animals 7(12), 88.

Calves use an automated brush and a hanging rope when pair-housed

Calf housing often only meets the basic needs of calves, but there is a growing interest in providing enrichments. This study described the behaviour of calves when they were given the opportunity to interact with two commonly available enrichment items....

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Zobel, G., Neave, H., Henderson, H. et al. 2017. Calves use an automated brush and a hanging rope when pair-housed. Animals 7(11), 84.

Objective measures for the assessment of post-operative pain in Bos indicus bull calves following castration

The aim of the study was to assess pain in Bos indicus bull calves following surgical castration. Forty-two animals were randomised to four groups: no castration (NC, n = 6); castration with pre-operative lidocaine (CL, n = 12); castration with...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Reproduction, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Musk, G., Jacobsen, S., Hyndman, T. et al. 2017. Objective measures for the assessment of post-operative pain in Bos indicus bull calves following castration. Animals 7(10), 76.

Operational details of the five domains model and its key applications to the assessment and management of animal welfare

In accord with contemporary animal welfare science understanding, the Five Domains Model has a significant focus on subjective experiences, known as affects, which collectively contribute to an animal's overall welfare state. Operationally, the focus of the Model is on the...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Mellor, D. Operational details of the five domains model and its key applications to the assessment and management of animal welfare. Animals 7(8), 60.

Optimum drug combinations for the sedation of growing boars prior to castration

Juvenile male pigs were sedated for castration. Eight five-month old boars were sedated twice (two weeks apart) with a combination of detomidine (0.1 mg/kg), midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) and either butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) (Group MDB, n = 8) or morphine (0.2...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Lehmann, H., Blache, D., Drynan, E. et al. 2017. Optimum drug combinations for the sedation of growing boars prior to castration. Animals 7(8), 61.

Long term physiologic and behavioural effects of housing density and environmental resource provision for adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats

There is considerable interest in refining laboratory rodent environments to promote animal well-being, as well as research reproducibility. Few studies have evaluated the long term impact of enhancing rodent environments with resources and additional cagemates. To that end, male and...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & Companionship, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Pinelli, C., Leri, F., Turner, P. 2017. Long term physiologic and behavioural effects of housing density and environmental resource provision for adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Animals 7(6), 44.