| 1. |
- Algers, Bo
(författare)
-
Assessment of key parameters for gunshot used on cattle: a pilot study on shot placement and effects of diverse ammunition on isolated cattle heads
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 479-489
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There have been many improvements regarding transport conditions, pre-slaughter handling, and captive-bolt stunning of cattle at commercial abattoirs, but many challenges still exist. Animals unaccustomed to human-animal contact, such as free-range beef cattle, may be especially difficult to handle on the day of slaughter. Shifting of the slaughter process from the abattoir to the animals' familiar environment could improve animal welfare at slaughter. In 2011, the German government passed an amendment allowing farmers to slaughter free-range cattle, on-farm, using a rifle. A proper stun is vital when employing this method but neither sufficient practical experience nor scientific knowledge are in place to allow this. Thus, this study aimed to examine shot placement and the effect of diverse ammunition by means of shooting at cattle heads, post mortem, with a rifle. Impact was assessed using brain tissue damage observed from skull dissections. Placing the shot frontally at the forehead resulted in severe brain damage significantly more frequently than targeting laterally. A precise frontal shot, utilising both large and small bore calibres, caused severe brain damage that would almost certainly have led to immediate unconsciousness and death. One of the small bore calibres caused minimal brain damage apart from the trajectory. However, this was the only calibre not passing straight through. Due to the fact that the bullet remains within the skull, thus transferring all of its energy to the skull and brain, the impact of this calibre on the brain would also be expected to be rapidly fatal. A projectile that does not exit the skull would also be advantageous as regards safety.
|
|
| 2. |
- Algers, Bo
(författare)
-
Assessment of stun quality after gunshot used on cattle: a pilot study on effects of diverse ammunition on physical signs displayed after the shot, brain tissue damage and brain haemorrhages
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 95-109
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Moving the slaughter process from the abattoir to the animals' familiar environment has the potential to reduce pre-mortal stressors to a minimum and contribute considerably to improved animal welfare at slaughter. On-farm stunning and killing of free-range cattle via gunshot became legal in Germany in November 2011, including for commercial sale of the meat. As an effective stun is essential for maintaining animal welfare until the animal dies, the goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of delivering an instantaneous and deep stun by an accurate frontal gunshot at cattle. Thirty free-range cattle (Galloway, German Angus) were shot with five different combinations of rifles and bullets. A stun-quality protocol was developed to assess musculoskeletal, optical and respiratory signs displayed after the shot. Key signs, such as failure to collapse, corneal reflex, spontaneous blinking, eyeball rotation or eyeball movement, distinct vocalisation and rhythmic breathing were not evident in 29 of the 30 cattle. Dissections of the heads were used to detect penetration depth of the projectile as well as evaluate brain tissue damage and brain haemorrhage caused by the shot. Tissue damage was marginal and not related to the ascertained level of stun quality. Brain haemorrhages assumed to be sufficient for causing a deep stun were detected in 25 out of 30 cattle. Accurate shot placement turned out to be more important than the application of a certain calibre. However, it was considered crucial for safety reasons that the projectile should remain within the cranial cavity. As long as there are high levels of accuracy, gunshot was considered to be an effective stunning method with the potential of maintaining high standards of animal welfare until death occurs.
|
|
| 3. |
- Algers, Bo, et al.
(författare)
-
Standardising the assessment of environmental enrichment and tail-docking legal requirements for finishing pigs in Europe
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 25, s. 499-509
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An online training package providing a concise synthesis of the scientific data underpinning EU legislation on enrichment and tail docking of pigs was produced in seven languages, with the aim of improving consistency of professional judgements regarding legislation compliance on farms. In total 158 participants who were official inspectors, certification scheme assessors and advisors from 16 EU countries completed an initial test and an online training package. Control group participants completed a second identical test before, and Training group participants after, viewing the training. In Section 1 of the test participants rated the importance of modifying environmental enrichment defined in nine scenarios from 1 (not important) to 10 (very important). Training significantly increased participants' overall perception of the need for change. Participants then rated nine risk factors for tail biting from 1 (no risk) to 10 (high risk). After training scores were better correlated with risk rankings already described by scientists. Scenarios relating to tail docking and management were then described. Training significantly increased the proportion of respondents correctly identifying that a farm without tail lesions should stop tail docking. Finally, participants rated the importance of modifying enrichment in three further scenarios. Training increased ratings in all three. The pattern of results indicated that participants' roles influenced scores but overall the training improved 1) recognition of enrichments that, by virtue of their type or use by pigs, may be insufficient to achieve legislation compliance, 2) knowledge on risk factors for tail biting and 3) recognition of when routine tail docking was occurring.
|
|
| 4. |
- Alvåsen, Karin, et al.
(författare)
-
Risk factors for unassisted on-farm death in Swedish dairy cows
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 63-70
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased on-farm cow mortality (ie unassisted death and euthanasia) has been demonstrated in Swedish dairy herds during the last decade. Identifying risk factors associated with type of death is needed for future work in reducing cow mortality rates. The objectives of this case-control study were to quantify the relative proportion of unassisted dead cows among cows that die on-farm, and to identify risk factors associated with unassisted death (as opposed to euthanasia). In Sweden, cadavers and animal waste products are being processed into biofuel at destruction plants. Two destruction plants were visited three times in 2011-2012. All dairy cows (n = 556) entering the plants were examined. Farmers that had sent the cows were contacted by telephone to verify type of death. Of the 433 dairy cows included in the analysis, 30% had died unassisted. A stillbirth rate above or equal to the median in the study material (7%) increased the risk for unassisted death. The proportion of unassisted dead cows was lower than that found in other countries. The results indicate that it might be possible to study euthanasia and unassisted death as one group in Swedish dairy cows, because only one factor differentiating between the two types of death was identified. However, unidentified risk factors may still differ and, possibly more importantly, welfare implications may also differ between the two types of death which implies the need to separate them in future studies.
|
|
| 5. |
- Anderson, Claes, et al.
(författare)
-
Anticipatory behaviour in animals: A critical review
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 29, s. 231-238
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- A number of studies have investigated anticipatory behaviour in animals as a measure of sensitivity to reward or as an expression o emotional state. A common feature of many studies is that they base inferences on seemingly arbitrary measures, for example, the frequency of behavioural transitions (ie number of times an animal switches between different behaviours). This paper critically reviews the literature and discusses various hypotheses for why specific behavioural responses occur in the anticipatory period between the signal and reward in conditioned animals. We argue that the specific behaviours shown may be the result of superstitious learning and thus highly variable, leaving behavioural transitions as the only response that can be scored consistently, and that sometimes these responses may relate more to frustration than to a positive emotional state. Finally, we propose new research approaches to avoid potential confounds and improve future studies on this topic.
|
|
| 6. |
- Atkinson, Sophie, et al.
(författare)
-
Assessing pig welfare at stunning in Swedish commercial abattoirs using CO2 group-stun methods
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 487-495
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While regular monitoring of stun quality in abattoirs is now required by EU law, guidelines specific to species and stun method have not been adequately developed. Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas stunning of pigs in groups is widely used because of efficiency and reduced pre-slaughter stress. However, some pigs may recover from the stun process if it is not correctly managed. In light of these concerns, this study aimed to develop and implement a standardised assessment for stun quality for use in commercial pig abattoirs. Eight abattoirs and 9,520 slaughter pigs were assessed for stun group size, stick time and stun quality. The stun system, CO2 concentrations and exposure times were also investigated. A stun-quality protocol (SOP) identified and risk-rated symptoms signifying recovery of consciousness. In abattoirs using paternoster stun-boxes, pigs consistently showed no stun-quality problems despite 65% with stick times between 70 and 100 s. Stun-quality problems were detected in 1.7 to 3.3% of pigs in abattoirs using dip-lift stun-boxes and 75% of stick times were below 60 s. In 36 of 38 cases of inadequately stunned pigs, a combination of symptoms from the SQP was seen. Regular gasping preceded other symptoms in 31 cases and was a valid indicator of inadequate stunning. In response to the stun-quality assessments, two abattoirs serviced the stun machines (increasing CO2 concentrations and exposure times). All pigs were adequately stunned in follow-up studies. Implementation of stun-quality assessments, such as developed in this study, can assure monitoring of animal welfare at slaughter, beneficial not only to the industry and relevant authorities but also the concerned consumer.
|
|
| 7. |
- Atkinson, Sophie, et al.
(författare)
-
Assessment of stun quality at commercial slaughter in cattle shot with captive bolt
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 22, s. 473-481
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cattle may suffer pain and distress if incorrectly stunned. Regular monitoring of stun quality in abattoirs is now required by EU law. This study aimed to assess stun quality in cattle slaughtered under commercial conditions. A stun protocol was developed to evaluate when inadequate stunning occurred. This included rating of identified symptoms into three levels from highest to lowest risk for inferior animal welfare. Stun to stick interval times, shot accuracy, repeat shots, and stun quality variations between different cattle classes and by different shooters was also investigated. A total of 585 bulls and 413 other cattle classes (306 cows, 58 steers and 49 calves) were studied. Inadequate stunning occurred in 12.5% (16.7% of bulls, compared with 6.5% other cattle). Bulls displayed symptoms rated the highest level for inferior stun quality three times more frequently than other cattle. Despite being shot accurately, 13.6% bulls were inadequately stunned compared with 3.8% other cattle. Twelve percent of cattle were re-shot, and 8% were inaccurately shot. Calves were shot inaccurately more frequently (14%) than other cattle. Percentage of cattle shot inaccurately ranged from 19% for the least experienced shooter to 5% for the most experienced. Stun to stick times averaged 105 (+/- 17) s posing questions for animal welfare, considering the number of cattle inadequately stunned. Stun quality could be improved by using more powerful stunners for shooting bulls, regular servicing of weapons, and use of neck restraints to improve shot accuracy. This study highlights the importance of external monitoring of stun quality at slaughter.
|
|
| 8. |
- Berg, Lotta, et al.
(författare)
-
Killing of spent laying hens using CO2 in poultry barns
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 445-457
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Sweden, laying hens are killed using the following methods: i) traditional slaughter; ii) on-farm with CO2 in a mobile container combined with a grinder; or iii) with CO2 inside the barn. The number of hens killed using the latter method has increased. During these killings a veterinarian is required to be present and report to the Swedish Board of Agriculture. Data were registered during four commercial killings and extracted from all official veterinary reports at CO2 whole-house killings in 2008-2010. On-farm monitoring showed that temperature decreased greatly and with high variability. The time until birds became unconscious after coming into contact with the gas, based on time until loss of balance, was 3-5 min. Veterinary reports show that 1.5 million laying hens were killed, in 150 separate instances. The most common non-compliance with legislation was failure to notify the regional animal welfare authorities prior to the killings. Six out of 150 killings were defined as animal welfare failures, eg delivery of insufficient CO2 or failure to seal buildings to achieve adequate gas concentration. Eleven were either potentially or completely unacceptable from the perspective of animal welfare. We conclude that, on the whole, the CO2 whole-house gas killing of spent hens was carried out in accordance with the appropriate legislation. Death was achieved reliably. However, there remain several risks to animal welfare and increased knowledge would appear vital in order to limit mistakes related to miscalculations of house volume, improper sealing or premature ventilation turn-off.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
