Publications

To what extent do chickens suffer when gassed with CO2?

On 9 th June 2025, in an apparent world first, undercover footage of chickens being gassed to death, in the UK in 2024, was publicly released (Carbstrong, 2025). The footage depicts a CO2 gas pit system within which crated chickens...

Year Published: 2026Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Mace, J. L., Knight, A. 2026. To what extent do chickens suffer when gassed with CO2? Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12

Early-life socialization enhances social competence and alters affiliative preference in piglets

Early-life socialization (comingling with other litters before weaning) may affect social behaviors in pigs, but whether the impacts are sex-dependent is unknown. We assessed the effects of early-life socialization on interactions and behavioral responses of female and male pigs in...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Luo, L., Li, Z., Bolhuis, J. E. et al. 2025. Early-life socialization enhances social competence and alters affiliative preference in piglets. Animals 15(23).

Comparison of analgesic efficacy between intrafunicular and intratesticular lidocaine injection in dogs

Elective surgical orchiectomy is a commonly performed procedure in dogs that requires adequate pain management. Multiple studies have shown that various local anaesthetic techniques improve analgesia and may reduce side effects associated with systemically administered drugs. This study aimed to...

Year Published: 2026Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Lohinger, C., Verdier, N., Klonner, M. E. et al. 2026. Comparison of analgesic efficacy between intrafunicular and intratesticular lidocaine injection in dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

The edge of lesion

At AstraZeneca we utilise a wide variety of flank tumour models in rodents to gather data on the effectiveness of our Oncology drugs. During these studies tumour condition is closely monitored for appearance of lesions; typically a change of shape...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Humane EndpointAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Little, E., Baker, T., Peverill, J. et al. 2025. The edge of lesion. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(3), 268–269.

Fermentation bed farming improves behavioral expression and stress resistance in geese

Introduction Conventional livestock farming restricts the expression of natural behaviors and exacerbates animal stress responses. This study investigated the effects of fermentation bed farming, a novel welfare-oriented system, on the behavior and stress resistance of geese.Methods240 Northern White Geese (‌Anser...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Fowl

Citation: Li, H., Yang, J., Zhang, J. et al. 2026. Fermentation bed farming improves behavioral expression and stress resistance in geese. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Short-term storage conditions do not affect canine fecal cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations

Fecal cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) are frequently used biomarkers in animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and other fields. However, these research settings often lack immediate access to a -80 °C freezer or other ultra-low temperature storage equipment. This study...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Lenz, O. C., Powell, L., Reinhard, C. L. et al. 2026. Short-term storage conditions do not affect canine fecal cortisol and secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations. Scientific Reports 16(1), 7132.

Effects of housing and environmental enrichment on performance, welfare, and air quality in fattening pigs

In intensive pig production systems, limited space and lack of enrichment materials (EMs) restrict natural behaviors, inducing chronic stress and impairing welfare and health. Conventional EMs such as straw and sawdust improve comfort but increase NH3 and particulate emissions and...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management

Citation: Lee, J., Song, H., Biswas, S. et al. 2026. Effects of housing and environmental enrichment on performance, welfare, and air quality in fattening pigs. Animals 16(4).

Classical cuts: A pilot study of classical music’s effects on dogs in grooming settings

Grooming procedures are often stressful for dogs due to exposure to loud noises, unfamiliar individuals, and the absence of their owners. This study aimed to assess whether classical music could reduce stress-related behaviours in dogs during grooming. Fifteen companion dogs...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Krupa, W., Czyżowski, P., Kaszycka, K. et al. 2025. Classical cuts: A pilot study of classical music’s effects on dogs in grooming settings. Animal Cognition 28(1), 60.

Non-invasive physiological indicators of welfare in dairy cows

Indicators of dairy cow welfare are important for the future assessment and improvement of cow welfare on-farm. The objective of this study was to investigate three categories of non-invasive physiological parameters as potential indicators of welfare in dairy cows, namely...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Kremer, L., Reenen, K. van, Kok, A. et al. 2026. Non-invasive physiological indicators of welfare in dairy cows. Animal Welfare 35, e10.

Simple life, simple minds? How habitat simplification in aquatic ecosystems shape fish cognition

This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on the effects of habitat complexity, defined as the variation in physical structures within ecosystems, on fish cognition, brain morphology, and personality. Globally, habitat complexity is declining through a process known as habitat simplification,...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Natural Behavior, PersonalityAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish, Salmon, Shark & Ray, Tilapia, Trout, Zebrafish

Citation: Klinke, A., Brown, C. 2026. Simple life, simple minds? How habitat simplification in aquatic ecosystems shape fish cognition. Animal Cognition 29(1), 23.