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Sökning: L773:0962 7286 OR L773:2054 1538

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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11.
  • Berg, Lotta, et al. (författare)
  • The effect of stun duration and level of applied current on stun and meat quality of electrically stunned lambs under commercial conditions
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 131-138
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Electrical head-only stunning is a widely used method in sheep (Ovis aries) slaughter. To investigate the influence of current level on stun and meat quality in practice, two studies were carried out at a commercial slaughterhouse. In trial one, 200 lambs were randomly assigned to four groups with a current level of 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.25 A, respectively, using 50-Hz sine wave supply voltage and a stun duration of 10.5 s. In trial two, 135 lambs were randomly assigned to two groups, with electrical current of 1.25 A applied for 14 and 3 s. For each lamb, the position of the tongs was observed and classified as correct or incorrect. The stun quality was evaluated based on observations of the corneal reflex, eye movements, rhythmic breathing, head-righting reflex and kicking during the tonic phase. Blood splash (haemorrhages in Longissimus dorsi muscle) was evaluated four days after slaughter. Incorrect tongs' positioning was seen commonly, and positively correlated with poor stun quality. The lowest current level tested produced an unsatisfactory stun in the majority of animals observed. Short stun duration increased the risk of a poor stun quality. There was no significant effect of current level, stun duration or tongs' position on the risk of blood splash. These data underline the importance of a correct technique, including choice of tongs' positioning, sufficient current levels and sufficient stun duration, for electrical stunning of lambs to achieve unconsciousness before sticking and thereby avoiding unnecessary suffering at commercial slaughter.
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12.
  • Berg, Lotta (författare)
  • The need for monitoring farm animal welfare during mass killing for disease eradication purposes
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 357-361
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The term 'depopulation' is used in this case to describe mass euthanasia or killing of groups of animals on a farm for emergency disease eradication purposes. There are a number of guidelines for monitoring animal welfare during such operations, eg the OIE Terrestrial Health Code and the EU regulation on protection of animals at the time of killing, which can be useful when designing a specific monitoring system for depopulation. In this paper, the responsibilities of the competent authorities are identified, and a systematic approach to monitoring on-farm killing is proposed, including three major critical points: i) animal handling prior to killing; ii) the stun/kill quality, ie the effectiveness of the method used to render the animals unconscious and dead; and iii) confirmation of death prior to carcase disposal. The importance of good biosecurity routines, efficient disease detection systems, relevant training of staff and thorough contingency planning to prevent animal welfare problems from arising is strongly emphasised. It is the responsibility of national competent authorities to provide the appointed official veterinarians in charge of monitoring animal welfare during depopulation with proper tools, including anything from appropriate knowledge and practical checklists to the authority to demand immediate corrective action when necessary, and to develop systems for feedback and incorporation of experiences from previous outbreaks into the national contingency plans.
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13.
  • Berg, Lotta, et al. (författare)
  • The Welfare Quality® assessment protocol: how can it be adapted to family farming dual purpose cattle raised under extensive systems in tropical conditions?
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 177-184
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Family farming is still the main source of income for many people in the tropical regions of the world. At the same time, modern society is quickly becoming more aware of the welfare of animals for human consumption. The main objective of this study was to illustrate the need to modify certain aspects of the original Welfare Quality (R) ( WQ) protocols developed by the EU-funded WQ project, under the conditions of small community farmers in the tropics. Thirty-four dual purpose farms in the State of Chiapas, Mexico, which had their main production focus on milk but for whom beef production was also of significant value, were evaluated utilising a merged version of the WQ protocols for dairy and beef cattle. Based on their average score, the farms obtained at least an acceptable level in each indicator of welfare. However, after merging indicators from the dairy and beef cattle protocols of WQ in order to adjust it to the prevailing conditions in the tropics, a number of sections are not applicable. This is particularly true of the section related to good housing, where most of the items do not apply due to the absence of infrastructure; the farms obtained a very high score in this section but further studies to verify whether this reflects an accurate assessment of the welfare status should be carried out. In general, the approach of the WQ protocol was useful, however certain aspects are quite different from the conventional intensive farming systems predominantly used in Europe and there is a need to implement a number of modifications.
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14.
  • Blokhuis, Harry, et al. (författare)
  • A scenario analysis on the implementation of a farm animal welfare assessment system
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 20, s. 613-621
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • There have been important developments in the measurement of farm animal welfare in recent years. Measuring animal welfare is one thing implementing a farm animal welfare assessment system another. The implementation of such a system occurs in an environment that is influenced by economic, political, technological and socio-cultural factors which interact with each other. This creates enormous complexity, generates a huge number of different potential 'futures', and makes the eventual impact that the system will have on the welfare of farm animals uncertain. This article draws upon strategic management literature to apply scenario analysis as a technique to help understand the variance of the uncertainty associated with the implementation of an animal welfare assessment scheme. Specifically, it develops two extreme scenarios based on a theoretical European-wide implementation: one scenario in which all uncertain factors influence the implementation of the assessment system in a negative way, and one scenario in which all these factors have positive impacts. These scenarios provide insight into the variance of possible futures in which the system may have to function. Although consumers are an important stakeholder group, their role in creating uncertainty for the system may be overestimated; it is apparent that the roles of companies, brands and certification organisations deserve significant attention, as well as any relevant institutional structure.
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15.
  • Blokhuis, Harry (författare)
  • Advances in poultry welfare
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 27, s. 398-399
  • Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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16.
  • Brunberg, Emma, et al. (författare)
  • Stress measures in tail biters and bitten pigs in a matched case-control study
  • 2013
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 22, s. 331-338
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study aimed to identify differences in stress measures in pigs (Sus scrofa) with different roles during a tail-biting outbreak. Quartets (n = 16) of age- and gender-matched fattening pigs including a tail biter (TB; n = 16), a victim (V; n = 16), a control in the same pen (C-tb; n = 10), and one in a pen without tail biting (C-no; n = 14) were chosen by direct behavioural observation. Stress measures used were behaviour (dog-sitting, sniffing of pen-mates and aggression), thyroid hormone concentration, morphology of adrenal and thyroid glands and salivary cortisol concentration sampled at 0700, 1000, 1600 and 1900h. Category (TB, V, C-tb, C-no) effects were investigated using a mixed model with replicate as subject and category as repeated effect. Category had a significant effect on adrenal total (cortex + medulla) and cortical area, salivary cortisol at 1900h, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and the behaviours performing and receiving sniffing. Victims suffered from a triad of chronic stress, pathology and suppressed T3 secretion. Evidence for stress in tail biters, a possible cause of the behaviour, consisted of a slightly flattened day-time cortisol pattern and more performed sniffing than all other categories. Differences in evening cortisol concentration and T3 levels between the categories in the pen with ongoing tail biting emphasise the qualities of the control animal. It supports the view that neutral pigs represent a phenotype that adopts a coping strategy leading to lower stress levels than in tail biters and victims, despite being housed in the same pen.
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17.
  • Cardinale, Massimiliano (författare)
  • Body temperature upon mist-netting procedures in three species of migratory songbirds at a stopover site: implications for welfare
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 27, s. 93-101
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Capturing wild birds with mist nets is very common for studying many aspects of avian biology. However, except for adrenocortical reactivity, little is known about other physiological responses to this potentially stressful procedure. Here, we focused on body temperature (Tb) in migratory songbirds, as large numbers are caught for population monitoring and studies of migratory biology. Tb is sensitive to acute stress in other vertebrates and contexts, usually showing an increase (stress-induced hyperthermia). We sampled garden warblers (Sylvia borin), whinchats (Saxicola rubetra) and barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) captured with mist nests using standard protocols at an island stopover site in the central Mediterranean during spring migration. Tb was measured within 3 min (T0), 30 min (T30) and 180 min (T180) from the time the bird hit the net, using an analogue probe inserted into the throat, and a body condition score was calculated for each bird. In the garden warbler, but not the other two species, a slight but significant reduction in Tb occurred after 180 min. In all species, the change in Tb after 3 h of confinement was positively correlated to the change in ambient temperature (Ta) but not to body condition. The mean (+/- SEM) change in Tb over 3 h was -1.68 (+/- O.16)degrees C for garden warblers, therefore within the expected range of normothermy in small birds. Such reduction in Tb is contrary to the expectation of stress-induced hyperthermia; these results suggest that garden warblers are able to modulate their body temperature and that these small changes are influenced by fluctuations in ambient temperature. Therefore, Tb might not be a good indicator of capture stress in small passerine migrants. Our results also indicate that restraint for ringing procedures is unlikely to have adverse effects on Tb regulation of migratory birds, if held within the time-frame typical of ringing operations.
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18.
  • Graunke, Katharina, et al. (författare)
  • Does rubber flooring improve welfare and production in growing bulls in fully slatted floor pens?
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 20, s. 173-183
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study compared the effects of concrete slats (CS), synthetic rubber slats on aluminium profiles (RS) and slotted rubber mats on concrete slats (RM) in fully slatted floor pens on behaviour, claw and leg disorders, claw horn growth, cleanliness and production parameters of growing dairy bulls from 225 to 650 kg average liveweight Each pen housed five bulls up to 400 kg average liveweight and four bulls thereafter. On CS, lying bouts were less frequent and longer than on RM and RS at 250 kg. Lying down phase I was longest on CS and shortest on RM. Interrupted attempts at lying down occurred twice as often on CS as on the rubber floors. Severity scores for white line haemorrhage and sole haemorrhage were higher in bulls on CS than on RM. Swelling on legs had highest scores on CS, whereas the severity score for heel horn erosion was lowest on CS. Floor type had no effect on dermatitis, leg hairlessness and skin damage. Both claw horn growth and wear were greater on CS than on RS and RM. Bulls on RS and CS were cleanest Slaughter age tended to be higher and carcase conformation score tended to be lower on CS than on rubber, whereas feed intake, feed efficiency and other carcase traits were unaffected. The results indicate that rubber flooring improves animal welfare compared with concrete.
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19.
  • Gunnarsson, Stefan (författare)
  • Feather-pecking and injurious pecking in organic laying hens in 107 flocks from eight European countries
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 355-363
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Feather-pecking and cannibalism may reduce the potential of organic husbandry to enhance the welfare of laying hens. We report risk factors for these issues based on a large survey of 107 commercial flocks in eight European countries. Information was collected regarding housing, management and flock characteristics (age, genotype). Near the end of lay, 50 hens per flock were assessed for plumage condition and wounds. Potential influencing factors were screened and submitted to a multivariate model. The majority of the flocks (81%) consisted of brown genotypes and were found in six countries. Since white genotypes (19%) were found only in the two Scandinavian countries, a country effect could not be excluded. Therefore, separate models were made for brown and white genotypes. Feather damage in brown hens could be explained by a model containing a lower dietary protein content and no daily access to the free range (30% of the variation explained). For feather damage in white hens, no model could be made. Wounds in brown hens were associated with not having daily access to free range (14% of the variation explained). Wounds in white hens were explained by a model containing not topping-up litter during the laying period (26% of the variation explained). These results suggest that better feeding management, daily access to the free-range area and improved litter management may reduce incidence of plumage damage and associated injurious pecking, hence enhancing the welfare of organic laying hens. Since this was an epidemiological study, further experimental studies are needed to investigate the causal relationships.
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20.
  • Hansson, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Defining and measuring farmers’ attitudes to farm animal welfare
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 47-56
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Identifying farmers' attitudes to farm animal welfare (FAW) is an important step in determining farmers' efforts to improve FAW, knowledge of which is of particular importance for understanding how the living conditions of production animals are determined. This study developed a hypothetical model of farmers' attitudes to FAW, including the antecedents of these attitudes and possible influences on FAW-related behaviour. Two models for empirical measurement of attitudes, namely formative and reflective models, were also evaluated and compared. The results suggested that choice of measurement model considerably influences conceptualisation of attitudes and that there may be considerable model misspecifications in previous literature relating to farmers' FAW attitudes. Existing literature on farmers' FAW attitudes was reviewed with the aim of providing a preliminary indication of the coverage of farmers' FAW attitudes. A need for future research related to farmers' attitudes to FAW was identified.
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21.
  • Hansson, Helena, et al. (författare)
  • Impact of personal values and personality on motivational factors for farmers to work with farm animal welfare: a case of Swedish dairy farmers
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 27, s. 133-145
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • In this study, we sought to explain why dairy farmers give importance to various use and non-use values of animal welfare. In partic-ular, we examined how the farmers could be segmented according to the relative importance they give to various use and non-use values in animal welfare and whether this segmentation could be explained by farmers' personal values and personality traits. Based on a latent class analysis using best-worst scaling data on 123 Swedish dairy farmers, three segments of farmers were found: animal-centred, human-centred and business-orientated. These groups were related to measures of farmers' personal values and personality traits in a point-biserial correlation and a hierarchal multinomial logistic regression analysis. The results suggest that the segmentation is related to personal values, but not to personality traits. This finding is important from a policy perspective, because the existence of different segments of farmers who are motivated by different values in animal welfare indicates a need to approach different farmers in different ways if policy is to succeed in improving animal welfare. It also indicates a possibility to influence the segments to improve animal welfare by measures that are sensitive to value dynamics of the farmers.
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22.
  • Hansson, Helena (författare)
  • Internalisation of farm animal welfare in consumers' purchasing decisions: A study of pork fillet at point of purchase using the means-end chain and laddering approach
  • 2021
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 30, s. 355-363
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The purpose of this study was to investigate how farm animal welfare (FAW) is internalised in consumers' purchasing decisions at the point of purchase. The study is based on means-end chain theory and the laddering interview technique to elicit respondents' mental representation of attributes, consequences and values of an animal food product. Respondents were approached and interviewed at the point of purchase in two supermarkets in Uppsala, Sweden. A summary representation of respondents' mental representation of attributes, consequences and values of an animal food product (pork fillet) was created. The findings indicate that FAW is the most salient means-end-chain element. FAW enters respondents' mental representation of pork fillet at the point of purchase as a consequence of other elements. FAW is considered to lead to values of hedonism and universalism type. This study contributes to the literature by detailing how animal welfare can be embedded in consumers' mental representation of cause and effect of animal food product attributes at the point of purchase.The findings are useful practically for policy-makers and for agri-business and other actors in the food value chain who would like to promote enhanced FAW. The findings also provide insight into how FAW can be promoted through market-based solutions.
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23.
  • Hartmann, Elke, et al. (författare)
  • Welfare of extensively managed Swedish Gotland ponies
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 32
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • It has been suggested that grazing horses could be used as a credible tool for landscape conservation which would, at the same time, improve horse welfare as opposed to conventional housing. A study was conducted between May 2014 and April 2015 on 12 one year old Gotland ponies managed extensively without supplementary feed. Monthly animal welfare assessments (n = 13) revealed welfare issues in most of the horses, i.e. low body condition score (BCS < 3/5), recurring poor skin condition in 11/12 horses and ocular discharge in 7/12 horses. At the end of the study, compared to the beginning, chafing and poor skin condition increased while coat condition improved. A correlation was found between a negative reaction (score > 0) in the human approach test and BCS < 3 and ocular discharge. Avoidance Distance test values were correlated with faecal parasite counts (> 350 eggs per gram [EPG]). These results indicate that the horses had acceptable welfare during late spring/summer (May-September) and that some horses required additional feed during winter. The animal welfare protocol proved to be an efficient tool for monitoring welfare. The results showed that factors important for extensive management are: daily monitoring; enclosures that provide sufficient feed; access to recovery enclosure; and habituation of horses to human approach.
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24.
  • Hirsch, Elin, et al. (författare)
  • Swedish cat shelters : a descriptive survey of husbandry practices, routines and management
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 411-421
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Animal shelters rescue and care for society's unwanted companion animals. Nonetheless, several studies have shown that ending up in a shelter can be stressful, and that shelter husbandry can amplify and spread certain diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate and describe husbandry policy, practices and routines as well as occurrence and prevention of diseases in Swedish cat shelters. A survey was sent to 64 potential shelters of which 39 (61%) responded. Thirty-two shelters (82%) housed cats (Felis silvestris catus) in groups; one shelter provided only solitary housing. Thirty-one shelters provided single, pair and group housing. The most common group size was 3-5 cats (59%). Ninety-two percent of responding shelters had routines and/or protocol(s) for the management of the cats, 35 had healthcare routines and 30 shelters had routines for the admission of cats. All shelters with the exception of one had quarantine, and 22 shelters (58%) vaccinated cats prior to admittance. There was a significant positive correlation between shelter size and number of reported diseases. The most common reported disease was cat ‘flu/cold, although altogether, shelters reported a low occurrence of disease. Practices differ between shelters relating to management, eg use of quarantine and vaccination routines. In Sweden, group housing is common and shelters provide cats with plenty of resources, eg hides and climbing structures, often providing outdoor access and a more ‘home-like’ environment. The possibility that providing a more ‘enriched home-like’ environment can help cats cope with the shelter environment is discussed, thereby decreasing the occurrence and transmission of infectious diseases.
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25.
  • Hitchens, Peta, et al. (författare)
  • Circus and zoo animal welfare in Sweden: an epidemiological analysis of data from regulatory inspections by the official competent authorities
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 373-382
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Good animal welfare is crucial for the success of circuses and zoos. Epidemiological studies of animal welfare that investigate associations between animal-based measures (ABMs) and resource-and management-based measures are needed. However, due to the relatively low numbers of animals within each species kept at individual facilities, such investigations can be difficult to carry out. In this paper, we report the analysis of a multi-facility epidemiological study using data from all regulatory inspections of circus and zoo animals in Sweden for 2010 to 2014. Information from 42 inspections of 38 circuses, and 318 inspections of 179 zoos was analysed. For ABMs assessed during routine inspections of circuses (n = 14) and zoos (n = 61), 9.1 and 14.3% did not comply with requirements for general care of hooves/claws and coat, 10.0 and 8.6% for body condition, and 0 and 1.7% for animal cleanliness, respectively. In addition, the zoo checklist assessed whether animals were kept in appropriate groups, finding non-compliance in 17.0% of inspections. The most frequent non-compliant resource-and management-based measures at routine inspections of circuses were for space (41.7%) and exercise requirements (38.5%). For zoos, 29.4% did not comply with space followed by 28.8% for enrichment requirements. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, zoos that had inadequate or unsafe housing and space design, inadequate bedding, or failed to meet nutritional requirements, were more likely to be non-compliant with at least one ABM. The checklists should be improved to better assess welfare status by including more ABMs; benchmarking of risks and trends over time is also recommended.
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26.
  • Håkansson, Nina, et al. (författare)
  • Improvement of animal welfare by strategic analysis and logistic optimisation of animal slaughter transportation
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 25:2, s. 255-263
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The transportation of animals to slaughterhouses is a major welfare concern. The number of slaughterhouses has decreased over time in Europe due to centralisation. This is expected to increase transport time for animals and as a consequence negatively affect animal welfare. We propose an optimisation model based on a facility location model to perform strategic analysis to improve transportation logistics. The model is tested on the Swedish slaughter transport system. We show that, by strategic planning and redirection of transports while keeping the slaughterhouse capacities as of the originaldata, the potential exists to reduce transport distance by 25% for pigs and 40% for cattle. Furthermore, we demonstrated that approximately 50% of Swedish slaughterhouses can be shut down with a minimal effect on total transport distances. This implies that in terms of the overall welfare picture, the decision of which animals to send where plays a for more significant role than the number of slaughterhouses. In addition, by changing relative weights on distances in the optimisation function the amount of individualtransports with longjourney times can be decreased. We also show results from altered slaughterhouse capacity and geographical location of slaughterhouses. This is the first time an entire country has been analysed in great detail with respect to the location, capacity and number of slaughterhouses. The focus is mainly on the analysis of unique and detailed information of actual animal transports in Sweden and a demonstration of the potential impact redirection of the transports and/ or altering of slaughterhouses can have on animal welfare.
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27.
  • Jerlström, Josefine, et al. (författare)
  • A formal model for assessing the economic impact of animal welfare improvements at bovine and porcine slaughter
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 31, s. 361-371
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The relationship between animal welfare at slaughter and slaughterhouse profitability is complex, with potential trade-offs between animal welfare costs and benefits. Slaughterhouses currently lack data support for decisions on investments that can improve both animal welfare and profitability. Therefore, this study mapped the economic impacts for slaughterhouse businesses of improved cattle and pig welfare at slaughter. Specific aims were to: (i) highlight the possible economic impact of animal welfare improvements, based on the scientific literature; (ii) develop an economic model demonstrating the theoretical contribution of animal welfare to slaughterhouse profitability; and (iii) validate the economic model through focus group interviews with slaughterhouse personnel in Sweden. The findings indicated that investing in animal welfare improvements could result in accumulation of an intangible asset that can be considered together with other production factors in the economic model. Model validation stressed the importance of selling by-products for the economic outcome and of smooth workflow for productivity. The study thus improves understanding of the economic impacts of animal welfare at slaughter and incentives for slaughterhouse businesses to improve animal welfare. The results are important for public and private policy-makers interested in enhancing animal welfare at slaughter.
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28.
  • Keeling, Linda (författare)
  • An analysis of animal-based versus resource-based comments in official animal welfare inspection reports from organic and conventional farms in Sweden
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 18, s. 391-397
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study analysed the free use of phrases related to animal-based and resource-based measures of animal welfare in Swedish state animal welfare inspection reports on conventional (C) and organic (O) forms. From 244 reports by 35 inspectors, 88 were analysed as matched pairs of C and O farms (some inspector, species and size of form). They were analysed 'blind' for negative comments referring to the animals or to the resources (buildings and facilities). The most commonly reported deficiencies were poor body and hoof condition and dirty animals, accounting for a total of 79% of all animal-based remarks. Deficiencies in measures and equipment or excessively high stocking density together accounted for 78% of all resource-based remarks. The total number of general (non-compulsory) comments was similar for O and C forms. But the number of (compulsory) requirements for change to comply with legislation was almost twice as high for O than C There were significantly more comments about body condition and hooves in C than O but a tendency for the opposite to be the case for animal health. Despite this, the number of requirements for change was greater for O-forms regarding their animals. There was no difference in number of comments on resources, but once more a tendency for more requirements for change was seen on O-farms. The study demonstrates that the analysis of inspection reports can be useful in terms of identifying where, in practice, animal welfare problems lie as well as further developing the methodology of animal welfare control.
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29.
  • Keeling, Linda (författare)
  • Designing animal welfare policies and monitoring progress
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 95-105
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • A single solution to promote higher animal welfare across the whole EU is unlikely due to significant regional differences and because what is most appropriate for each region depends on many factors. Based on analyses of eight member and candidate EU countries, this paper provides a conceptual framework, an 'animal welfare roadmap', which can be used to assess the stage of maturity of a country in farm animal welfare policy development and identify appropriate policy instruments and indicators to monitor progress towards higher animal welfare. The 'roadmap' consists of five sequential stages: increasing compliance with legislation; raising awareness; product development; mainstreaming; and integration of animal welfare with other issues. For each stage, specific policy instruments are identified alongside the category of stakeholders most likely to be influential in the implementation of each instrument. The policy instruments used to achieve these stages are those used by government departments/agencies, private enterprises, academic bodies or non-governmental organisations who formulate standards for animal welfare. These are supported by indicators best suited to document their effectiveness. Although we have emphasised how different situations and contexts within the EU mean that there is no single optimal policy instrument for the EU as a whole, but rather appropriate policy instruments should be selected according to the stage of development of a country or sector, we do propose a harmonised choice of indicators to allow benchmarking of changes at the EU level with regard to progress towards animal welfare.
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30.
  • Keeling, Linda (författare)
  • Mapping farm animal welfare education at university level in Europe
  • 2014
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 23, s. 401-410
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The aim of this study was to map farm animal welfare university education in an enlarged Europe with emphasis on identifying existing differences and gaps. Information on 210 courses dealing with farm animal welfare from 98 universities in 26 European countries were obtained. Statistical analysis was carried out on 155 of these courses within animal science or veterinary programmes, at Bachelor and Master level and with the countries grouped into five regions (North West Europe, Mediterranean, West Central Europe, East Central Europe and Balkans). There were significantly more hours of teaching in animal welfare in the North West region of Europe. This region also had more 'interactive' education methods, eg group discussion and farm visits, whereas West Central Europe had most 'transmissive' methods, eg lecturing. A course was more likely to be given in English in North West Europe (even when the UK and the Republic of Ireland were excluded from the analysis) and East Central Europe compared to West Central Europe and the Balkans. There appeared to be no regional differences in the content of the courses although the focus was significantly more 'applied', ie towards welfare assessment and legislation in the veterinary education and more 'fundamental', ie oriented towards ethology, physiology and ethics, in the animal science education. In summary, the main differences in farm animal welfare education across Europe seem to be in the reduced number of hours of education, less interactive teaching and fewer courses in English available to students outside the North West region.
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31.
  • Keeling, Linda, et al. (författare)
  • Students' attitudes to animal welfare and rights in Europe and Asia
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 87-100
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • A survey of attitudes towards the welfare and rights of animals was conducted in universities in 11 European and Asian countries, to improve understanding of cultural differences that might impact on trade and international relations. Collaborators’ universities were recruited in each country to assist in the design, translation and administration of the survey via the internet in a convenient selection of the country’s universities, providing 3,433 student responses from at least 103 universities. Respondents rated the acceptability of 43 major concerns about animals (focused on type of use, animal integrity, killing animals, animal welfare, experimentation on animals, changes in animal genotypes, the environment for animals and societal attitudes towards animals). Students from European countries had more concern for animal welfare than students from Asian countries, which may be partly explained by increased affluence of European students as there was a positive correlation between student expenditure and concern for animal welfare and rights. Southern and central European countries had most concern for animal rights and unnatural practices. Those in communist or former communist countries in Asia and Europe had most concern about killing animals and those in northern European countries the least. Regional similarities between neighbouring countries were evident in responses to animal issues and there were no differences between ethnic groups within a country. Thus, there were national and continental differences in European and Asian students’ attitudes to animals’ welfare and rights, which appear to arise as a result of the socio-political situation in regions rather than religious or other differences
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32.
  • Keeling, Linda, et al. (författare)
  • The associations between animal-based welfare measures and the presence of indicators of food safety in finishing pigs
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 25, s. 355-363
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Stressful housing and management practices affect animals, potentially increasing their receptiveness to pathogens. Since some pathogens do not lead to clinical signs of sickness, subclinical pigs could enter the food-chain, contaminating carcases and offal at slaughter, representing a threat to human health. Here, we assess the feasibility of a new approach (using animal-based welfare outcomes) to investigate the association between the animal welfare status of finishing pigs on-farm and the occurrence of Yersinia enterocolitica and Salmonella enterica in slaughtered pigs in Northern Italy. Thirty batches of finishing pigs were assessed for animal-, resource- and management-based measures according to the Welfare Quality (R) protocol for pigs on-farm and at slaughter. A sample of five individuals per batch was tested for Y. enterocolitica and S. enterica in tonsils and in mesenteric lymph nodes, respectively, and gross pathological changes were recorded. Environmental faecal samples per batch on-farm were tested for the same pathogens. Univariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between batches of pigs that were positive to Y. enterocolitica and S. enterica and indicators of poor welfare. The animal-based measures of welfare, greater on-farm mortality and poor human-animal relationship, were found to be associated with Y. enterocolitica. This study provides a good indication of the validity of this approach, but there is a need for larger-scale studies in the future to confirm the magnitude of the associations between these animal welfare and food safety indicators.
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33.
  • Keeling, Linda, et al. (författare)
  • The influence of losing or gaining access to peat on the dustbathing behaviour of laying hens
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 18, s. 149-157
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study investigated the influence of being reared with or without access to peat as well as the effects of losing or gaining substrate access on the dustbathing behaviour of young, domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus). There were four treatments, based on the period of time chicks had access to peat during rearing. (i) always (LL), (ii) never (NN), (iii) from 0 to 6 weeks of age (LN) and (iv) from 6 weeks of age onwards (NL). Observations on the number and length of dustbaths performed were made for six days with birds aged six weeks and 50% of the birds either lost or gained access to litter. The birds then remained in the some treatment conditions until 16 weeks of age, at which point the same behavioural observations were repeated. NL birds (which had just gained access to peat) were found to be quicker than LN birds (which had just lost access to peat) to perform a dustbath during the first observation period. A significant difference was seen in the variation of the duration of the dustbathing bouts; both LL and NL birds varied less in the lengths of their bouts than NN and LN birds over both observation periods. Hence, early rearing environment had less effect on birds' dustbathing behaviour than current access or lack of access to litter. The irregular dustbathing pattern exhibited by birds that dustbathe without litter could be a sign of frustration; an indication that dustbathing without litter - unlike dustbathing in litter - does not provide the required feedback.
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34.
  • Keeling, Linda (författare)
  • Using a national dairy database to identify herds with poor welfare
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 18, s. 523-532
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This research project was carried out by the Swedish Dairy Association as part of the development of a 'Scheme for Animal Welfare'. As a first step, on-form, animal-based measurements on calves, young stock and cows in 55 randomly selected herds were performed. Nine animal-based measurements formed the basis for a classification of welfare at the herd level: cleanliness and body condition in calves, cows and young stock, in combination with lameness, injuries/inflammations and rising behaviour which were recorded for cows only. The threshold (gold standard) for being a case herd with poor welfare, was a score lying among the worst 10% on two or more of the nine welfare measurements. Thirteen of the 55 herds were cases fitting this criterion. As a second step, 65 potential welfare indicators from seven different focus areas in a pre-collected data register were identified by expert opinion. In the final step, the extent to which suggested potential welfare indicators predicted forms' risk of having poor welfare according to the definition was assessed. The final set of welfare indicators, taken from the national dairy database, included two fertility measures and calf mortality, and it correctly classified 77% of the herds, with a sensitivity of 0.62. The inclusion of cow and young stock mortality led to it correctly classifying 76% of the herds with a sensitivity of 0.77. We propose that this approach could be useful in helping to allocate advisory services to forms at risk of poor welfare.
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35.
  • Kindberg, Jonas, et al. (författare)
  • The cost of research: Lasting effects of capture, surgery and muscle biopsy on brown bear (Ursus arctos) movement and physiology
  • 2023
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 32
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Animal models are a key component of translational medicine, helping transfer scientific findings into practical applications for human health. A fundamental principle of research ethics involves weighing the benefits of the research to society against the burden imposed on the animals used for scientific purposes. The utilisation of wild animals for research requires evaluation of the effects of capture and invasive sampling. Determining the severity and duration of these interventions on the animal’s physiology and behaviour allows for refining study methodology and for excluding or accounting for biased data. In this study, 39 Scandinavian brown bears (Ursus arctos) captured either while hibernating in winter or via helicopter in summer and that underwent surgery as part of a human health project had their movement, body temperature and timing of onset of hibernation compared with those of 14 control bears that had not been captured during the same period. Bears captured in winter and summer showed decreased movement from den exit until late summer, compared to those in the control group. Bears captured in summer showed reduced movement and body temperature for at least, respectively, 14 and 3 days, with an 11% decrease in hourly distance, compared to pre-capture levels, but did not differ in the timing of hibernation onset. We reveal that brown bear behaviour and physiology can be altered in response to capture and surgery for days to months, postcapture. This has broad implications for the conclusions of wildlife studies that rely upon invasive sampling.
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36.
  • Lidfors, Lena (författare)
  • The development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for foxes and mink: the WelFur project
  • 2012
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 21, s. 363-371
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The WelFur project aims at the development of on-farm welfare assessment protocols for farmed foxes (the blue fox [Wipes lagopus], the silver fox [Vulpes vulpes]) and mink (Neovison vison). The WelFur protocols are based on Welfare Quality (R) (WQ) principles and criteria. Here, we describe the WelFur protocols after two years of developmental work. Reviews for each of the 12 WQ welfare criteria were written for foxes and mink to identify the welfare measures that have been used in scientific studies. The reviews formed the basis for potential measures to be included in the WelFur protocols. All measures were evaluated for their validity, reliability and feasibility. At present, we have identified 15 fox and 9 mink animal-based (or outcome-based) welfare measures, and 11 and 13 input-based (resource-based or management-based) measures. For both foxes and mink, each of the four WQ principles is judged by at least one criterion, and seven out of the 12 criteria include animal-based measures. The protocols will be piloted in 2012. Using the WQ project and protocols as a model has been a fruitful approach in developing the WelFur protocols. The effects of the WelFur protocols will provide benchmarks from which the welfare of animals on European fur farms can be assessed.
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37.
  • Lindholm, Caroline, et al. (författare)
  • Slow and steady wins the race? No signs of reduced welfare in smallerbroiler breeder hens at four weeks of age
  • 2015
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 24:4, s. 447-454
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Broiler breeder chickens are commonly reared under strict feed-restriction regimes to reduce obesity-induced health and fertilityproblems during adult life, and are assumed to experience a reduced welfare due to the resulting hunger. In these conditions, feedcompetition could influence the growth rate, so that the individuals falling behind in growth would experience more stress and hunger.We hypothesised that these chickens are poor competitors due to a reactive coping style and experience a further reduced welfaresituation before size-sorting (‘grading’) at four weeks of age. Our results from open field, tonic immobility and home pen activity monitoringshow signs of lower fear and higher home-pen activity levels in smaller hens and do not support the idea of reactive coping.H/L ratios of smaller hens were also found to be lower, indicating less stress in these birds. Dissections of smaller and larger fourweekbreeder hens may offer an explanation in the form of a relatively larger gastrointestinal tract in smaller birds. We argue thatthis is a form of habituation to restricted feeding, offering these birds a physiological stress coping mechanism, and that low earlygrowth rate may not always be a sign of poorer welfare in broiler breeders.
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38.
  • Ljung, Per, et al. (författare)
  • A survey of cat shelters in Sweden
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 18, s. 283-288
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Although cats are extremely common, pet owners seem to have a poor understanding of their natural behaviour and needs and a large number end up in cat shelters. In Sweden, no records exist of the number of cat shelters or their activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of cat shelters in Sweden. We found 62 cat shelters during 2006; the year in which this study was conducted. Questionnaires were sent to these shelters with questions concerning. received animals' reasons for relinquishing cats, cat husbandry and how the shelter was run. The most common reason for relinquishing a cat was that the cat was homeless; another common reason was that the owner had an allergy to cats. The shelters had, on average, space for 29 cats, but this varied from six-to-100, and they received on average ten cats per month. This means that a total of around 7,400 cats enter the 62 shelters in Sweden each year. On average, the cats stayed more than three months in the shelter. Less than 10% of the relinquished cats were euthanised. Our study reveals that there are shelters that continuously receive unwanted cats. The majority of these cats ore said to be homeless, therefore in order to minimise the number of cats in shelters in Sweden, the focus should be on reducing the number of homeless cats.
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39.
  • Röcklinsberg, Helena (författare)
  • Is welfare all that matters? A discussion of what should be included in policy-making regarding animals
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 20, s. 423-432
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Policy-making concerned with animals often includes human interests, such as economy, trade, environmental protection, disease control, species conservation etc. When it comes to the interests of the animals, such policy-making often makes use of the results of animal welfare science to provide assessments of ethically relevant concerns for animals. This has provided a scientific rigour that has helped to overcome controversies and allowed debates to move forward according to generally agreed methodologies. However, this focus can lead to policies leaving out other important issues relevant to animals. This can be considered as a problem of what is included in welfare science, or of what is included in policy. This suggests two possible solutions: expanding animal welfare science to address all ethical concerns about animals' interests or widening the perspective considered in policy-making to encompass other important ethical concerns about animals than welfare. The latter appears the better option. This requires both a 'philosophy of animal welfare science', a 'philosophy of decision-making about animals', and greater transparency about what is included or excluded from both animal welfare science and the politics of animal policy.
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40.
  • Röcklinsberg, Helena (författare)
  • The concept of behavioural needs in contemporary fur science: do we know what American mink (Mustela vison) really need?
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 151-164
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This paper discusses the ethical implications of applying the concept of behavioural needs to captive animals. This is done on the basis of analysing the scientific literature on farmed mink and their possible need for swimming. In the wild, American mink (Mustela vison) are semi-aquatic predators, lending initial support to the claim that captive mink with no access to adequate swimming facilities experience a thwarted behavioural need. Scientific studies show a disparate picture. Consumer-demand experiments, where the animals have been conditioned to work for environmental resources, consistently show that mink place high value on swimming water, whereas other studies indicate the opposite, which has led scientists to question whether this preference constitutes a genuine behavioural need. In this paper, we take a methodological turn and discuss whether the oft-used concept of behavioural needs provides the best possible account of what is indispensable to an animal. Seen from a more complex understanding of behavioural needs, we suggest that lack of swimming opportunities for farmed mink constitutes a welfare problem. Further, it is argued that the decision of which paradigm to use in research on animal needs has not only ethical consequences, but is in itself a value-based choice.
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41.
  • Sandberg, Eva, et al. (författare)
  • Cortisol is not enough: A complex stress reaction n tethered goats
  • 2022
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 31, s. 91-98
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The purpose of this study was to assess the diversity of physiological stress responses elicited by tethering versus loose holding in the Swedish domestic goat (Capra hircus). Eight goats were randomly divided into two groups and the experiment was performed in a crossover design. Six goats had implanted transmitters that registered heart rate and arterial blood pressure telemetrically and blood samples were taken on separate days. Heart rate increased around feeding both when the goats were held loose in pairs, and when they were tied up. When the goats were tethered, the heart rates and blood pressures were higher, and the concentrations of beta-endorphin and oxytocin lower, compared to when held loose in pairs. In conclusion, housing and the company of another animal affect arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and the concentrations of beta-endorphin and oxytocin in goats, but the cortisol and vasopressin concentrations did not differ between the treatments. The higher arterial blood pressure and heart rate, and lower concentrations of beta-endorphin and oxytocin in tethered goats indicate that being tied up may be more stressful for the goats compared to being held loose. The use of single measures, eg cortisol concentrations, was not sufficient to give an accurate picture of the animals' response to the management system. This study demonstrates the importance of using a wide variety of physiological measures when evaluating stress in animal welfare research.
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42.
  • Spangenberg, Elin, et al. (författare)
  • Effects of physical activity and group size on animal welfare in laboratory rats
  • 2009
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 18, s. 159-169
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • The aim of this study was to investigate whether moderate physical activity and group size influence physical fitness, the level of social interactions in the home cage and rats' performance in the Elevated Plus Maze and a handling test. Forty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were kept in groups of two, four or eight for seven weeks in cages adjusted to the group size. Home cage social interactions were studied during direct observations. Half of the number of rats from each cage were subjected to moderate exercise on a treadmill for five weeks. An exercise test was performed at the beginning and end of the experimental period, during which time lactate levels were analysed via blood sampling. Rats living in groups of four or eight performed better in the second exercise test; had more social interactions and showed more activity, open-arm entries and risk assessment in the Elevated Plus Maze test compared to rats living in pairs. The trained rats had lower blood lactate levels in the second exercise test lower bodyweight and plasma insulin levels and had a greater relative heart weight at the end of the study compared to control rats. In conclusion, rats kept in larger groups had more social interactions, a lower lactate response during exercise and showed less emotional reactivity. Moderate treadmill exercise resulted in the expected increase in the rats' physical fitness. The results show that both group size and physical activity are important factors for animal welfare,
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43.
  • Ulfsdotter, Linnea, et al. (författare)
  • Rehoming of pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Sweden: an investigation of national advertisement
  • 2016
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 25, s. 303-308
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are popular companion animals, yet there has been little research into rabbits kept as pets in Sweden. Many rabbits that are rehomed are done so via personal contacts rather than through animal shelters. The purpose of this study was to provide a picture as to why rabbit owners rehome their pets and to what extent this is done in Sweden. There were 505 rabbits put up for rehoming through a large Swedish advertisement site during the winter of 2012/2013. The most commonly stated reasons for trying to rehome rabbits were 'Lack of time' (35.8%), 'Owners are moving' (16.6%) and 'Allergies' (13.2%). The mean age of the rabbits was 17.6 months and most rabbits were put up for sale for a price of between (sic)11.1 and (sic)55. Requests about the new home were mentioned in 46.8% of the adverts and the majority of the comments described the type of home needed for the rabbit. Reasons for relinquishing rabbits were similar to those found in other studies and the number of rabbits with behavioural problems was very low (0.9%). We conclude that a number of rabbits in Sweden are experiencing rehoming and the effect of this on their welfare should be further investigated.
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44.
  • Viksten, Sofie, et al. (författare)
  • Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol
  • 2017
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 26, s. 59-65
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • 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 of its welfare status and to identify potential risk factors. The draft protocol contains 47 measures: 15 animal-based, 24 resource-based and eight management-based. It was tested in the autumn at two Swedish riding schools using a total of 37 horses of varying breed, gender and age. Each assessment was repeated after 16-25 days. The results showed that 66% (31/47) of the measures had over 85% repeatability between assessments. Results indicated occurrence of behavioural issues, eg aggression and avoidance, and potential risk factors, such as inadequate management routines and feeding regimes. Using the HWAP, the assessment of up to 22 horses could be carried out in one day. Changes were proposed to the draft protocol which included incorporating an ethogram to assess the human-animal relationship and assessing bit-related injuries. We propose that the protocol might: i) provide a firm basis for the welfare monitoring of horses; ii) identify important potential risk factors; iii) guide welfare improvement and management practices for horse owners and stable managers; and iv) contribute to the development of certification schemes for horse facilities.
  •  
45.
  • Viksten, Sofie, et al. (författare)
  • The effects of feedback from horse welfare assessments
  • 2018
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 0962-7286 .- 2054-1538. ; 27, s. 125-131
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • This study was designed to determine whether feedback from welfare assessments, using the Horse Welfare Assessment Protocol, affected actual horse welfare in 21 stables. After the first assessment, stable managers in the high feedback (HF; n = 10 stables) group were supplied with extensive information and support regarding the welfare measures and relevance of the results. The low feedback (LF; n - 11 stables) group only received the results without additional information. Upon re-assessment, six months later, no significant changes were seen in the stable overall (SO) score in either group. Significant changes occurred in individual measures; in the HF group more fresh-air inlets were open but water drinker function and ocular discharge deteriorated. In the LF group, the feeding troughs were cleaner but mane and tail condition deteriorated. Both groups had cleaner water troughs and less equipment chafing but the sum of relative air humidity (RH) and temperature (T) deteriorated. Significant decreases occurred in the stable welfare issues (SWI) score; the HF group decreased from 93.3 to 72.0 and the LF group from 113.3 to 91.3. There were also non-significant changes; in the HF group, 71 measures and five stables improved while 63 measures and five stables (50%) deteriorated. In the LF group, 65 measures and seven stables improved while 62 measures and four stables deteriorated. The observed improve-ments in both groups suggest that assessment alone (with no detailed feedback) might raise awareness but we cannot yet conclude whether or not the type of feedback affects overall horse welfare.
  •  
46.
  • Andersson, Johanna, et al. (författare)
  • Legal assessment of ingrown horns and other horn-related anomalies in cattle and sheep
  • 2024
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0962-7286. ; 33
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Cattle and sheep horns have the potential to grow in such a way that the horn bends toward the animal's head and, if left untreated, may penetrate the skin, causing pressure, pain, and suffering. According to the Swedish Animal Welfare Act, animals must be looked after in a way that prevents ingrown horns; otherwise, the person responsible for the animal may be prosecuted. Here, we present a review of 32 legal cases that occurred in Sweden between 2008 and 2022 for which the charge involved horn-related anomalies in cattle or sheep. The aim being to investigate the nature of these horn-related anomalies and the circumstances under which they occur. Of the legal cases, 53% were discovered during official animal welfare control on farms and 44% at an abattoir during pre-slaughter inspection. These include extreme injuries, e.g. both horns penetrating the periosteum into the skull bone, or a horn penetrating into the eye or oral cavity. The reasons offered by the accused for failing to detect animals with horn-related anomalies included that the animal appeared normal, that it was long-haired, shy, or hard to reach, or that the horns had not undergone gradual growth but had accidentally or suddenly penetrated the skin. Overall, 81% of the cases led to convictions; however, none of these resulted in imprisonment. Reasons for acquittals included insufficient crime description or evidence as to how the horn-related anomaly occurred or of the animal being exposed to suffering. A number of recommendations are provided that could help limit the occurrence of ingrown horns.
  •  
47.
  • Boyle, L.A., et al. (författare)
  • Effects of fattening boars in mixed or single sex groups and split marketing on pig welfare
  • 2007
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - : Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). - 0962-7286. ; 16:2, s. 259-262
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Our aim was to evaluate the effects of single or mixed sex fattening of boars and split marketing (SM) on pig welfare. Female (n = 10), male (n = 10) and mixed sex (n = 10) groups were fattened to 105 kg. Two focal pigs per pen were selected for continuous behaviour observations and skin lesion inspections. Aggressive and sexual behaviours were recorded during feeding. One week prior to slaughter the three heaviest pigs in half of the pens were marketed. There was more sexual behaviour in mixed and male groups. However, there was less agonistic behaviour in mixed and female compared to male groups. SM male groups tended to have higher lesion scores than non-SM male groups. There was more mounting in non-SM mixed groups than in both SM and non-SM female groups. The welfare of boars was improved in mixed sex groups but females fared better in single sex groups. Split marketing reduced the welfare of pigs in male groups but improved pig welfare in mixed groups.
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48.
  •  
49.
  • Jacobsen, K. R., et al. (författare)
  • Voluntary ingestion of buprenorphine in mice
  • 2011
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286. ; 20:4, s. 591-596
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Buprenorphine is a widely used analgesic for laboratory rodents. Administration of the drug in a desirable food item for voluntary ingestion is an attractive way to administer the drug non-invasively. However, it is vital that the animals ingest the buprenorphine-food-item mix as desired. The present study investigated how readily female and male mice (Mus musculus) of two different strains consumed buprenorphine mixed in a commercially available nut paste (Nutellac (R)), and whether variation between genders and strains would affect the subsequent serum concentrations of buprenorphine. Buprenorphine at different concentrations mixed in Nutella (R) was given to male and female C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice in a complete cross-over study. Pure Nutella or buprenorphine (1.0-3.0 mg kg(-1) bodyweight [bw]) mixed in 10 g kg(-1) bw Nutella (R) were given to the mice at 1500h. The mice were video recorded until the next morning, when blood was collected by submandibular venipuncture. The concentration of buprenorphine in the Nutella (R) mix did not affect the duration of ingestion in any of the groups. However, female mice consumed the Nutella (R) significantly faster than males. Repeated exposure significantly reduced the start time of voluntary ingestion, but not the duration of eating the mixture. These differences did not however affect the serum concentration of buprenorphine measured 17 h post administration.
  •  
50.
  • Jensen, Per (författare)
  • Domestication, selection, behaviour and welfare of animals - genetic mechanisms for rapid responses
  • 2010
  • Ingår i: Animal Welfare. - Wheathamptonstead : Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. - 0962-7286. ; 19:S1, s. 7-9
  • Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
    • Increased production has been the major goal of animal breeding for many decades, and the correlated side-effects have grown tobecome a major issue in animal welfare. In this paper, the main genetic mechanisms in which such side-effects may occur arereviewed with examples from our own research in chickens. Pleiotropy, linkage and regulatory pathways are the most importantmeans by which a number of traits may be affected simultaneously by the same selection pressure. Pleiotropy can be exemplified bythe gene PMEL17 which causes a lack of black pigmentation in chickens and, simultaneously, predisposes them to become the victimsof feather pecking. Linkage is a probable reason why a limited region on chicken chromosome 1 affects many different traits, suchas growth, reproduction and fear-related behaviour. Gene regulation is affected by stress, and may cause modifications in behaviourand phenotype which are transferred from parents to offspring by means of epigenetic modifications. Insights into phenomena, suchas these, may increase our understanding not only of how artificial selection works, but also evolution at large.
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