Publications

What can kinematics tell us about the affective states of animals?

An animal's welfare state is intrinsically linked to its affective state. Evidence suggests that sentient, conscious animals can experience a range of affective states, such as pain, fear or boredom as well as positive affects like joy, curiosity, satiation or...

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

Citation: Guesgen, M. J., Bench, C. 2017. What can kinematics tell us about the affective states of animals? Animal Welfare 26( 4), 383-397.

Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice

When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gjendal, K., Sørensen, D. B., Kiersgaard, M. K. et al. 2017. Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice. Animal Welfare 26(4), 437-447.

Technical contribution: evaluation of the efficacy of a non-penetrating captive bolt to euthanase dairy goat kids up to 30 days of age

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a non-penetrating captive bolt (NPCB) to euthanase previously disbudded Saanen dairy goat kids (Capra hircus) up to 30 days of age and 9 kg bodyweight. Goats were euthanased by...

Year Published: 2017Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Sutherland, M. A., Watson, T. J., Millman, S. T. 2017. Technical contribution: evaluation of the efficacy of a non-penetrating captive bolt to euthanase dairy goat kids up to 30 days of age. Animal Welfare 26(3), 277-280.

The effect of age and method of gas delivery on carbon dioxide euthanasia of pigs

The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of age and delivering method during carbon dioxide (CO2) euthanasia on the welfare of pigs (Sus scrofa). In Experiment 1, pigs aged 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks...

Year Published: 2017Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Sutherland, M. A., Bryer, P. J., Backus, B. L. 2017. The effect of age and method of gas delivery on carbon dioxide euthanasia of pigs. Animal Welfare 26(3), 293-299.

Applying welfare science to bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Animal welfare science is a burgeoning field, but research on cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) is lacking. Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are the most well-known and studied cetaceans, particularly in captivity, and thus are used in this review as a...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Clegg, I. L. K., van Elk, C. E., Delfour, F. 2017. Applying welfare science to bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Animal Welfare 26(2), 165-176.

A meta-analysis on the effects of the housing environment on the behaviour, mortality, and performance of growing rabbits

Although the number of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) produced in Europe is important, they are under-represented in welfare research. Studies on the effects of housing conditions have focused on performance and mortality. We conducted a meta-analysis to further understand the impact...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Sommerville, R., Ruiz, R., Averós, X. 2017. A meta-analysis on the effects of the housing environment on the behaviour, mortality, and performance of growing rabbits. Animal Welfare 26(2), 223-238.

Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol

This paper describes the development and pilot-testing of a horse welfare assessment protocol (HWAP). The HWAP consists of the collective measurement of numerous factors considered likely to affect a horse's welfare and is thereby designed to provide a holistic score...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Viksten, S. M., Visser, E. K., Nyman, S. 2017. Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol. Animal Welfare 26(1), 59-65.

Humane euthanasia of neonates I: validation of the effectiveness of the Zephyr EXL non-penetrating captive-bolt euthanasia system on neonate piglets up to 10

To determine if mechanical blunt force trauma using a non-penetrating captive bolt was a viable method of producing an immediate stun/kill in neonate piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) as an alternative to manual blunt force trauma. Piglets (n = 60) were...

Year Published: 2017Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Grist, A., Murrell, J. C., McKinstry, J. L. et al. 2017. Humane euthanasia of neonates I: validation of the effectiveness of the Zephyr EXL non-penetrating captive-bolt euthanasia system on neonate piglets up to 10.9 kg live-weight. Animal Welfare 26(1), 111-120.

Using technology to monitor and improve zoo animal welfare

While the international zoological community is committed to enhancing the welfare of individual animals, researchers have yet to take full advantage of the tools available for non-invasively tracking behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare. We review technology currently being applied...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Whitham, J. C., Miller, L. J. 2016. Using technology to monitor and improve zoo animal welfare. Animal Welfare 25(4), 395-409.

A preliminary approach on the stress assessment through harmless procedures in farmed seabream (Sparus aurata)

Fish welfare is a key factor in ensuring successful cultures. Farmed fish that are stressed have been shown to be susceptible to pathologies and present lower growth rates. The present work seeks to check the efficacy of faecal cortisol as...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Herrera, M., López, J., Herves, A. 2016. A preliminary approach on the stress assessment through harmless procedures in farmed seabream (Sparus aurata). Animal Welfare 25(4), 423-427.