Husbandry & Management

The influence of different types of outdoor access on dairy cattle behavior

Pasture access for dairy cows is highly valued both by cows and the public at large. When pasture access is not feasible, farmers can provide cows with alternative forms of outdoor access, such as an outdoor bedded pack, that may...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Smid, A. M. C., Weary, D. M., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. 2020. The influence of different types of outdoor access on dairy cattle behavior. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 257.

Report of the 2019 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare meeting

The RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group has held a one-day meeting every autumn for the last 26 years, so that its members can discuss current welfare research, exchange views on welfare issues, and share experiences of the implementation of the 3Rs...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Stevens, C., Finnegan, E., Clarkson, J. et al. 2020. Report of the 2019 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare meeting. Animal Technology and Welfare 19(2), 101-111.

A scoping review: The impact of housing systems and environmental features on beef cattle welfare

Housing systems and environmental features can influence beef cattle welfare. To date, little information has been synthesized on this topic. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the relationship between housing and welfare status, so that beef cattle...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Park, R. M., Foster, M., Daigle, C. L. 2020. A scoping review: The impact of housing systems and environmental features on beef cattle welfare. Animals 10(4), 565.

Are turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) motivated to avoid excreta-soiled substrate?

The soiling of bedding on modern turkey farms combined with turkeys’ reduced ability and opportunity to perch and roost at elevation, forces them to spend most, if not all, of their time in contact with their excreta. To determine turkeys’...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird

Citation: Monckton, V., van Staaveren, N., Baes, C. F. et al. 2020. Are turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) motivated to avoid excreta-soiled substrate? Animals 10(11), 2015.

Broiler chicks’ motivation for different wood beddings and amounts of soiling

In the wild, excreta soiled surroundings can attract predators and spread disease. Yet, farmers rear broiler chicks in large barns with stocking densities that prevent excreta segregation. To measure chicks’ motivation to access unsoiled bedding or soiled litter (collectively, substrates)...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Monckton, V., van Staaveren, N., Harlander-Matauschek, A. 2020. Broiler chicks’ motivation for different wood beddings and amounts of soiling. Animals 10(6), 1039.

Challenging a myth and misconception: Red-light vision in rats

Due to the lack of L-cones in the rodent retina, it is generally assumed that red light is invisible to rodents. Thus, red lights and red filter foils are widely used in rodent husbandry and experimentation allowing researchers to observe...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Niklaus, S., Albertini, S., Schnitzer, T. et al. 2020. Challenging a myth and misconception: Red-light vision in rats. Animals 10(3), 422.

Cow in Motion: A review of the impact of housing systems on movement opportunity of dairy cows and implications on locomotor activity

As humans, we recognize the importance of exercise. We go to the gym, walk our dogs, and ride our horses. Even our hamsters get a wheel to run on. Considering this, it is surprising that, when it comes to the...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Shepley, E., Lensink, J., Vasseur, E. 2020. Cow in Motion: A review of the impact of housing systems on movement opportunity of dairy cows and implications on locomotor activity. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 230, 105026.

Current welfare state of pet guinea pigs in the UK

Little research has been carried out into how guinea pigs are cared for in the UK, and information regarding potential welfare issues is sparse. This study was designed to examine the five welfare needs, collecting data on the extent to...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Harrup, A. J., Rooney, N. 2020. Current welfare state of pet guinea pigs in the UK. Veterinary Record 186(9), 282.

Evaluation of the physical properties of bedding materials for dairy cattle using fuzzy clustering analysis

The bedding materials used in dairy cow housing systems are extremely important for animal welfare and performance. A wide range of materials can be used as bedding for dairy cattle, but their physical properties must be analysed to evaluate their...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Ferreira Ponciano Ferraz, P., Araújo e Silva Ferraz, G., Leso, L. et al. 2020. Evaluation of the physical properties of bedding materials for dairy cattle using fuzzy clustering analysis. Animals 10(2), 351.

Fasting is not required for measuring plasma lipid levels in rabbits

Plasma lipid and glucose levels are important parameters for evaluating the onset and development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In clinical and experimental studies of humans or mice, fasting is often required before testing plasma lipid and glucose levels. The...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Wang, R., Liu, R., Li, L. et al. 2020. Fasting is not required for measuring plasma lipid levels in rabbits. Laboratory Animals 54(3), 272–280.