scholarly journals Animal-Based Measures for the On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Geese

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 890
Author(s):  
Carlo Tremolada ◽  
Halina Bielińska ◽  
Michela Minero ◽  
Valentina Ferrante ◽  
Elisabetta Canali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
On Farm

Currently, no specific animal-based measures (ABMs) protocols are available for geese in commercial meat production systems. Following a critical review of the literature and consultation of experts, seven ABMs, potentially valid and feasible for the on-farm welfare assessment of geese, were identified and then tested in 12 farms in Poland to assess their inter-observer reliability. Two observers conducted the assessment, which was divided into two phases. First, a handling test assessed the human–animal relationship (HAR), and a 100% inter-observer reliability was achieved by the observers when evaluating the attitudes of stockpeople and the reactions of geese to humans. Next, an animal inspection was conducted, and the observers simultaneously and independently visually evaluated 100 randomly selected geese per farm and assessed whether the selected ABMs could be identified. In terms of inter-observer reliability, high correlation coefficients were found for plumage dirtiness (ρ = 0.745; p < 0.01), twisted wings (ρ = 0.890; p < 0.001), and broken/twisted wings (ρ = 0.858; p < 0.001). The results showed that plumage dirtiness, twisted wings, and broken/twisted wings are valid and reliable measures. Further research should address the reliability of ABMs of geese in other types of production systems.

scholarly journals Tilapia On-Farm Welfare Assessment Protocol for Semi-intensive Production Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Silvia Pedrazzani ◽  
Murilo Henrique Quintiliano ◽  
Franciele Bolfe ◽  
Elaine Cristina de Oliveira Sans ◽  
Carla Forte Maiolino Molento
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Protein Ratio ◽  
Air Exposure ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Intensive Production ◽  
On Farm

The aim of this study was to develop and test a tilapia on-farm welfare assessment protocol, based on Brazilian semi-intensive production systems. The study included two mains steps: the elaboration of tilapia welfare protocol and its on-field feasibility test. The protocol, including the potential indicators organized into health, environmental, nutritional, and behavioral categories, was tested on three farms. Skin, eyes, gills, jaws, fins, and vertebral spine were individually examined in 139 individual tilapias. Water physicochemical parameters and production system were considered. The overall nutritional status of individuals was assessed through body condition factor, feed conversion ratio, feed crude protein ratio, and feed ingestion behavior. During massive capture, signals of stress, level of crowding, and duration of air exposure were registered. Time required for loss of consciousness was evaluated by clinical reflexes and other behaviors during slaughter. Eye, jaw, and gill scores were different across farms (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.011; 0.015; 0.043, respectively), showing good discrimination power. Critical welfare points were extremely low dissolved oxygen in water, fin and skin lesions, prolonged air exposure during pre-slaughter handling and non-humane slaughter techniques, as decapitation or asphyxia. The protocol presents practical viability and it is an initial step for the development of a tilapia welfare strategy, where the prioritization of critical welfare points, implementation of corrective actions and monitoring of the results is part of a permanent welfare management system.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Effects on Livestock Production: A One Welfare Issue

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy N. Marchant-Forde ◽  
Laura A. Boyle
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Carcass Disposal ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
The Face ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
On Farm

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights that we exist in a global community. From a single city, it spread to 188 countries across the world and infected 30 million people by September 18, 2020. Decades of modeling pandemics predicted potential consequences, but COVID-19's impact on the food supply chain, and specifically livestock production was unexpected. Clusters of cases among workers in meat processing plants evolved quickly to affect human, animal, and environmental welfare in several countries. In processing plants, the hygiene focus is on product quality and food safety. Because of their close proximity to one another, COVID-19 spread rapidly between workers and the lack of sick leave and health insurance likely resulted in workers continuing to work when infectious. In the United States (U.S.) many processing plants shut down when they identified major outbreaks, putting pressure especially on pig and poultry industries. At one point, there was a 45% reduction in pig processing capacity meaning about 250,000 pigs per day were not slaughtered. This resulted in longer transport distances to plants in operation with extra capacity, but also to crowding of animals on farm. Producers were encouraged to slow growth rates, but some had to cull animals on farm in ways that likely included suffering and caused considerable upset to owners and workers. Carcass disposal was also associated with potential biosecurity risks and detrimental effects on the environment. Hence, this is a One Welfare issue, affecting human, animal, and environmental welfare and highlighting the fragility of intensive, high-throughput livestock production systems. This model needs to be re-shaped to include the animal, human, and environmental elements across the farm to fork chain. Such a One Welfare approach will ensure that food production systems are resilient, flexible, and fair in the face of future challenges.

Validity and feasibility of Human-Animal Relationship tests for on-farm welfare assessment in dairy goats

2016 ◽  
Vol 178 ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Battini ◽  
Sara Barbieri ◽  
Susanne Waiblinger ◽  
Silvana Mattiello
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
On Farm
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