Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.2
3.0
Journals
Animals
Special Issues
Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare...
share announcement

Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Welfare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 6351

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Maria José Hötzel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rod. Admar Gonzaga 1346, Itacorubi, Florianópolis 88034-001, Brazil
Interests: agroecosystems; farm animal welfare and ethics; qualitative research
Dr. Emma Fàbrega i Romans

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Animal Welfare Program, Institute for Food and Agriculture Research and Technology (IRTA), Monells, 17121 Girona, Spain
Interests: pig welfare; damaging behaviour (tail, ear biting); sustainable pig production; precision farming and welfare
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Farm animal welfare has become a hot topic of debate in many regions of the globe, due to the growing public ethical concerns with animal welfare and the related potential negative impacts on the environment and human health. Scientists are challenged with developing and validating methods to assess and potentially improve animal welfare. The goal of this Special Issue is to contribute to this debate, providing a collection of new scientific evidence on any aspect of animal welfare assessment, with a special interest in the study of behavior as an indicator of welfare in farmed animals, and the influence of genetic selection, environmental management and housing conditions on the welfare of animals. Studies should include measurements of behavior combined with other welfare indicators such as physiology, health and production. The study of emotions as indicators of pain, suffering or animal welfare and studies on the perspectives of consumers, citizens, farmers and other stakeholders on the issue are also welcome. We welcome experimental research papers and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Maria José Hötzel
Dr. Emma Fàbrega i Romans
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

 

Keywords

  • animal welfare
  • applied ethology
  • behavior
  • health
  • farmed animals
  • farmers and public perceptions
  • livestock
  • sustainable livestock production

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

13 pages, 982 KiB  
Article
Object Play as a Positive Emotional State Indicator for Farmed Spotted Paca (Cuniculus paca)
by Allison F. de Lima, Stella G. C. Lima, Sérgio L. G. Nogueira-Filho, Suzanne D. E. Held, Michael Mendl and Selene S. C. Nogueira
Animals 2024, 14(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010078 - 25 Dec 2023
Viewed by 831
Abstract
We aimed to assess whether object play can be used as a positive emotional state indicator for farmed spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) by examining its association with other positive welfare markers including affiliative behavior and low-amplitude vocalizations. We submitted six groups [...] Read more.
We aimed to assess whether object play can be used as a positive emotional state indicator for farmed spotted pacas (Cuniculus paca) by examining its association with other positive welfare markers including affiliative behavior and low-amplitude vocalizations. We submitted six groups of spotted pacas (one male/two females per group) (N = 18) to an ABA experimental design (A1/A2: without ball; B: with three boomer balls). Object play behavior occurred only during phase B (mean = 35.5 s, SE = 6.4). The spotted pacas spent more time in affiliative and exploratory behaviors and less time engaging in agonistic interactions during phase B than in both control phases (A1 and A2) (p < 0.05). Moreover, the spotted pacas emitted more low-amplitude bark vocalizations during phase B than during either control phase (p < 0.05), and such vocalizations have previously been shown to indicate a positive affective state and low arousal level. Because the expression of object play was associated with a decrease in aggression, an increase in affiliative behavior, and an increase in low-amplitude barking, we suggest that object play can be used as a non-invasive indicator of positive emotional state in this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2237 KiB  
Article
Association with Different Housing and Welfare Parameters on Results of a Novel Object Test in Laying Hen Flocks on Farm
by Jennifer Hüttner, Annette Clauß, Lea Klambeck, Robby Andersson, Nicole Kemper and Birgit Spindler
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2207; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132207 - 05 Jul 2023
Viewed by 938
Abstract
The objective of this on-farm study was to determine if flocks showing feather damage and/or cannibalism would have a higher fear response to the novel object (NOT) and the association between different housing and welfare parameters on results of the NOT. Therefore, 16 [...] Read more.
The objective of this on-farm study was to determine if flocks showing feather damage and/or cannibalism would have a higher fear response to the novel object (NOT) and the association between different housing and welfare parameters on results of the NOT. Therefore, 16 flocks were observed during the laying period in Germany. In total, there were six barns, seven free-range, and three organic flocks. The plumage and integument condition of 50 birds of each flock were evaluated at 4 different times during the laying period (V1: 18th to 23rd week of life, V2: 26th to 35th week of life, V3: 49th to 57th week of life, V4: 61st to 73rd week of life). At the same observation times, the NOT was performed in the flocks (at four different locations per visit time). Based on the average number of hens gathered around the novel object (NO) within the period of two minutes, conclusions can be made about the fearfulness of the flock. The present study shows that the more fearful a flock was, the more frequent feather damage (p < 0.001) and cannibalism (p < 0.01) occurred. Age and flock size were associated with fearfulness. Fearfulness of hens increased with the increasing age of hens (p < 0.001) and with an increasing flock size (p < 0.001). Hens of white feather color appeared to be more fearful than brown hens (p < 0.001). Hens kept on barn farms showed significantly lower numbers of hens around the novel object (p < 0.001) than on free-range farms, which possibly indicates that having permanent access to outdoor space generally appears to be associated with the fearfulness of a flock. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1285 KiB  
Article
Environmental Complexity and Reduced Stocking Density Promote Positive Behavioral Outcomes in Broiler Chickens
by Lauren Evans, George C. Brooks, Mallory G. Anderson, Andrew M. Campbell and Leonie Jacobs
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2074; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132074 - 23 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1259
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the impacts of a complex environment and stocking density on Ross 708 broiler chicken behaviors. Eight pens contained either high complexity (HC) or low complexity (LC) environments, and high (HD) or low (LD) density. Through focal-animal sampling, the [...] Read more.
The objective was to evaluate the impacts of a complex environment and stocking density on Ross 708 broiler chicken behaviors. Eight pens contained either high complexity (HC) or low complexity (LC) environments, and high (HD) or low (LD) density. Through focal-animal sampling, the frequency and duration of behaviors were recorded continuously for 5 min at two timepoints for one day in weeks 2, 4, and 7. Birds were active for 30% of the observed time, with birds showing more activity in HC compared with LC. Birds in HC pens spent more time preening and foraging than birds in LC pens, which was interpreted as a positive outcome. Dustbathing and play were not impacted by complexity, possibly due to the observation method. Birds were more frequently active at HD compared with LD, but did not spend more time being active, suggesting disturbances. Birds foraged, drank, and ate less frequently in HD compared with LD, presumably because birds had more difficulty accessing resources. Activity and active behaviors reduced as birds aged, while preening frequency increased, possibly due to frustration, but this was not confirmed. Perching was unaffected by age, showing a persistent motivation to perform the behavior. Our results indicate that a complex environment provides positive stimulation for foraging, locomotion, preening, and overall activity. Despite reduced activity, many benefits of the tested environmental complexity and low density persisted as birds aged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

14 pages, 2570 KiB  
Review
Tactile, Auditory, and Visual Stimulation as Sensory Enrichment for Dairy Cattle
by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Alexandra L. Whittaker, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Ana C. Strappini, Adolfo Álvarez-Macías, Patricia Mora-Medina, Marcelo Ghezzi, Pamela Lendez, Karina Lezama-García and Temple Grandin
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091265 - 23 Apr 2024
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Several types of enrichment can be used to improve animal welfare. This review summarizes the literature on the use of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli as enrichment methods for dairy cows. Mechanical brushes and tactile stimulation of the udder [...] Read more.
Several types of enrichment can be used to improve animal welfare. This review summarizes the literature on the use of mechanical brushes, tactile udder stimulation, music, and visual stimuli as enrichment methods for dairy cows. Mechanical brushes and tactile stimulation of the udder have been shown to have a positive effect on milk yield and overall behavioral repertoire, enhancing natural behavior. Classical music reduces stress levels and has similarly been associated with increased milk yield. A slow or moderate tempo (70 to 100 bpm) at frequencies below 70 dB is recommended to have this positive effect. Evidence on the impacts of other types of enrichment, such as visual stimulation through mirrors, pictures, and color lights, or the use of olfactory stimuli, is equivocal and requires further study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

10 pages, 250 KiB  
Commentary
Farm Animal Welfare—From the Farmers’ Perspective
by Clive J. C. Phillips
Animals 2024, 14(5), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050671 - 21 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1485
Abstract
Improvements in the welfare of animals in the intensive production industries are increasingly being demanded by the public. Scientific methods of welfare improvement have been developed and are beginning to be used on farms, including those provided by precision livestock farming. The number [...] Read more.
Improvements in the welfare of animals in the intensive production industries are increasingly being demanded by the public. Scientific methods of welfare improvement have been developed and are beginning to be used on farms, including those provided by precision livestock farming. The number of welfare challenges that animals are facing in the livestock production industries is growing rapidly, and farmers are a key component in attempts to improve welfare because their livelihood is at stake. The challenges include climate change, which not only exposes animals to heat stress but also potentially reduces forage and water availability for livestock production systems. Heat-stressed animals have reduced welfare, and it is important to farmers that they convert feed to products for human consumption less efficiently, their immune system is compromised, and both the quality of the products and the animals’ reproduction are adversely affected. Livestock farmers are also facing escalating feed and fertiliser costs, both of which may jeopardise feed availability for the animals. The availability of skilled labour to work in livestock industries is increasingly limited, with rural migration to cities and the succession of older farmers uncertain. In future, high-energy and protein feeds are unlikely to be available in large quantities when required for the expanding human population. It is expected that livestock farming will increasingly be confined to marginal land offering low-quality pasture, which will favour ruminant livestock, at the expense of pigs and poultry unable to readily digest coarse fibre in plants. Farmers also face disease challenges to their animals’ welfare, as the development of antibiotic resistance in microbes has heralded an era when we can no longer rely on antibiotics to control disease or improve the feed conversion efficiency of livestock. Farmers can use medicinal plants, pro-, pre- and synbiotics and good husbandry to help maintain a high standard of health in their animals. Loss of biodiversity in livestock breeds reduces the availability of less productive genotypes that survive better on nutrient-poor diets than animals selected for high productivity. Farmers have a range of options to help address these challenges, including changing to less intensive diets, diversification from livestock farming to other enterprises, such as cereal and pseudocereal crops, silvopastoral systems and using less highly selected breeds. These options may not always produce good animal welfare, but they will help to give farm animals a better life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Behavior, Applied Ethology and Welfare of Farmed Animals)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop