scholarly journals Mutilating Procedures, Management Practices, and Housing Conditions That May Affect the Welfare of Farm Animals: Implications for Welfare Research

Animals ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Nordquist ◽  
Franz van der Staay ◽  
Frank van Eerdenburg ◽  
Francisca Velkers ◽  
Lisa Fijn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Housing Conditions

Evaluation of the sensitivity of faecal sampling for detection of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium and other Salmonella in cattle and pigs

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 1681-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. ARNOLD ◽  
R. J. GOSLING ◽  
F. MARTELLI ◽  
D. MUELLER-DOBLIES ◽  
R. H. DAVIES
Keyword(s):  
Faecal Sample ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Sample Type ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Positive Groups

SUMMARYThere has been a rapid rise in the prevalence of cases of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium (mST) in both humans and farm animals, and it has been found in pigs, cattle and poultry. It is therefore vital to have a good understanding of how to efficiently detect infected farms. The objective of this project was to determine sample type sensitivity in the detection of Salmonella to detect infected groups of animals on both pig (breeder, grower and finisher sites) and cattle (beef and dairy) farms, using data collected from a study investigating farms that were positive for mST, and to explore any variation between different age groups and management practices. A Bayesian approach in the absence of a gold standard was adopted to analyse the individual and pooled faecal sample data collected from each epidemiological group on each of the farms. The sensitivity of pooled sampling depended on the prevalence of infection in the group being sampled, with a higher prevalence leading to higher sensitivity. Pooled sampling was found to be more efficient at detecting positive groups of animals than individual sampling, with the probability of a random sample from a group of animals with 5% prevalence testing positive being equal to 15·5% for immature pigs (3·6% for an individual faecal sample, taking into account the sensitivity and infection prevalence), 7·1% for adult pigs (1·2% for individual sampling), 30% for outdoor cattle (2% for individual sampling) and 34% for indoor cattle (1% for individual sampling). The mean prevalence of each epidemiological group was higher in outdoor farms than indoor for both pigs and cattle (mean within-farm prevalence of 29·4% and 38·7% for outdoor pigs and cattle, respectively, compared to 19·8% and 22·1% for indoor pigs and cattle)

Housing conditions and management practices associated with neonatal lamb mortality in sheep flocks in Norway

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 231-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid H. Holmøy ◽  
Camilla Kielland ◽  
Solveig Marie Stubsjøen ◽  
Lisbeth Hektoen ◽  
Steinar Waage
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Housing Conditions

scholarly journals Farm Animal Welfare and Handling in the Tropics: The Ethiopia Case

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bimrew Asmare
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Ethical Basis

The issue of farm animal welfare has become increasingly of essence in many countries these days. Farm animal welfare concerns are expressed about the conditions in which farm animals are kept and management practices, particularly in systems where animals are kept in confinement for most of their lives, feed methods, health care, and expression of normal behaviors. The use of an ethical basis for animal welfare standards requires some generally accepted principles on how animals should be treated and used by humans. Animals have enormous capacity to feel a huge range of emotions, to learn from their experiences, to adapt to challenges, and to suffer when their needs are either ignored or disrespected. It is now time, in the evolution of the relationship between humans and animals, to move forward with this knowledge and take real action to improve the lives of farm animals. The use of behavioral principles should improve efficiency of livestock handling and reduce stress on animals. Changing public opinion about the importance of good animal welfare and applying legislative actions will be important in animal production systems especially in developing countries where the poor animal welfare is immense and production management is below substandards.

scholarly journals Mycotoxins in Maize and Implications on Food Security: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
U.P. Chukwudi ◽  
F.R. Kutu ◽  
S. Mavengahama
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Global Movement ◽  
T2 Toxin ◽  
Safety Advantage ◽  
Country Specific

Mycotoxin poisoning is not restricted to pets and farm animals, it causes diseases and death in humans. Mycotoxin producing fungi are common components of the epiphytic and endophytic microflora in crops resulting in natural crop contamination in the field and during storage. The level of contamination is influenced by the genetics of the plant and fungi, management practices and prevailing climatic conditions. The Global movement of maize products necessitates global as well as country-specific surveys on mycotoxin occurrence. Significant differences in the concentrations of deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and zearalenone were found in commercial maize for the seven years under review but no significant difference was detected between white and yellow maize types with regards to fumonisins and zearalenone concentrations. The absence of Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin-A, T2-toxin and HT-2 toxin in the commercial maize samples from 2010/2011 to 2016/2017 seasons is a food safety advantage for South Africa maize producers.

scholarly journals Housing Conditions, Level of Feeding and Presence of Antibiotics in The Feed Shape Rabbit Cecal Microbiota

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Velasco-Galilea ◽  
Miriam Guivernau ◽  
Miriam Piles ◽  
Marc Viñas ◽  
Oriol Rafel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Production Environment ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
Animal Management ◽  
Cecal Microbiota ◽  
Relative Abundances ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: the effect of the production environment and different management practices in rabbit cecal microbiota remains poorly understood. While previous studies have proved the impact of the age or the feed composition, research in the housing conditions and other animal management aspects, such as the presence of antibiotics in the feed or the level of feeding, is still needed. Characterization of microbial diversity and composition of growing rabbits raised under different conditions could help better understand the role these practices play in cecal microbial communities and how it may result in different animal performance. Results: four hundred twenty-five meat rabbits raised in two different facilities, fed under two feeding regimes ( ad libitum or restricted) with feed supplemented or free of antibiotics, were selected for this study. A 16S rDNA-based assessment through the MiSeq Illumina sequencing platform was performed on cecal samples collected from these individuals at slaughter. Different univariate and multivariate approaches were conducted to unravel the influence of the different factors on microbial alpha diversity and composition at phylum, genus and OTU taxonomic levels. The animals raised in the facility harboring the most stable environmental conditions had greater, and less variable, microbial richness and diversity. Bootstrap univariate analyses of variance and sparse partial least squares-discriminant analyses endorsed that the farm exerted the largest influence on rabbit microbiota since the relative abundances of many taxa were found differentially represented between both facilities at all taxonomic levels characterized. Furthermore, only five OTUs were needed to achieve a perfect classification of samples according to the facility where animals were raised. The level of feeding and the presence of antibiotics did not modify the global alpha diversity but had an impact on some bacteria relative abundances, albeit in a small number of taxa compared with the farm, which is consistent with the lower sample classification power according to these factors achieved using microbial information. Conclusions: this study reveals different degrees of influence attributable to environment and animal management. It highlights the importance of offering a controlled breeding environment that reduces differences in microbial cecal composition that could be causative of different animal performance.

Temporal Patterns and Risk Factors for Escherichia coli O157 and Campylobacter spp. in Young Cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 490-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNE ELLIS-IVERSEN ◽  
ALASDAIR J. C. COOK ◽  
RICHARD P. SMITH ◽  
GEOFF C. PRITCHARD ◽  
MIRJAM NIELEN
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Herd Prevalence ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Young Cattle ◽  
Campylobacter Spp

Escherichia coli O157 and Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are zoonotic pathogens originating from farm animals. Cattle are the main reservoir for E. coli O157 and also contribute to human cases of campylobacteriosis through contaminated milk, direct contact, and environmental contamination. Thirty groups of young cattle on 30 farms were observed for 7 months and sampled on 4 to 6 separate occasions for E. coli O157 and C. jejuni/coli to characterize shedding patterns and identify risk factors. The within herd prevalence of E. coli O157 per sampling occasion ranged from 0 to 60% (mean = 24%) and average Campylobacter spp. within herd prevalence was 47% ranging from 0 to 100%. The prevalence of E. coli O157–positive herds declined with a linear trend throughout the study from 100 to 38% (OR: 0.5, P < 0.01), whereas time in the study was not significantly associated with Campylobacter prevalence (P = 0.13). Larger herds were more likely to be positive with either or both agents, whereas the number of suckler calves on the farm reduced the risk of both organisms (OR: 0.4/0.6, P < 0.01). Poultry on the premises reduced the risk of E. coli O157, but was not associated with Campylobacter. Emptying and cleaning the water troughs more often than once monthly reduced the risk of detecting Campylobacter and cattle sourced by private water supplies were more likely to be Campylobacter positive. No drinking water management practices were associated with E. coli O157. The risk of detecting both organisms were almost five times higher when the cattle were housed indoors (OR: 4.9, P = 0.03).

Key determinants of pig welfare: implications of animal management and housing design on livestock welfare

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 1375 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Hemsworth
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Systems Research

The present review using the pig as a model has highlighted the importance of the design of the housing system on the welfare of farm animals. It has emphasised the need for research on animal welfare in new and modified housing systems, as well as current but contentious systems, to be attentive to the design contributions of these systems to animal welfare. The review has highlighted areas for future research to safeguard sow and piglet welfare, including the following: effective environmental enrichment for gestating sows in intensive, indoor and non-bedded systems; opportunities to increase foraging and feeding times in feed-restricted gestating sows; design features that allow both access to important resources, such as feed, water and a comfortable lying area, and escape opportunities to reduce aggression and minimise risks to the welfare of group-housed sows; and less confined farrowing and lactation systems. The review also shows that animal welfare problems may be less a function of the type of housing system than of how well it operates. The skills, knowledge and motivation of stockpeople to effectively care for and manage their animals are integral to the standard of welfare experienced by their animals. Attitudes influence not only the manner in which stockpeople handle animals, but also their motivation to care for their animals. Thus, training targeting technical skills and knowledge as well as the attitudes and behaviours of stockpeople should be a primary component of the human resource management practices at a farm. While public concerns and policy debates often focus on intensive housing systems, research indicates that the design and management of both indoor and outdoor housing systems is probably more important for animal welfare than is generally recognised.

scholarly journals The Assessment of Housing Conditions, Management, Animal-Based Measure of Dairy Goats’ Welfare and Its Association with Productive and Reproductive Traits

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 893
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiezzi ◽  
Laura Tomassone ◽  
Gilberto Mancin ◽  
Paolo Cornale ◽  
Martina Tarantola
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Animal Resources ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
On Farm

The aim of the study was to evaluate the welfare of dairy goats of 32 farms located in Northwestern Italy, applying an on-farm assessment protocol, centered on animal-, resources- and management-based measures. The farms were classified as ‘intensive’ or ‘semi-intensive’ according to access to pasture. During each on-farm visit, a checklist was compiled, based on specific scores for housing and management conditions, and animals’ nutritional status, health, and behavior. Finally, the possible association between welfare measures and productive and reproductive traits was assessed. Overall, we observed an adequate level of animal wellbeing both in intensive and semi-intensive farming systems. This is possible thanks to the increased knowledge on goat breeding characteristics, and to the fact that veterinarians and farmers understood the importance of welfare protection to achieve a better health. Higher milk production was associated to some management practices (presence of the owner on the farm, high frequency of bedding change), and to seasonal breeding (which was mainly performed in the intensive farming). Moreover, it was associated to a quantity of urea in the milk comprised between 33 and 44 mg/dL. In intensive farms, the prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis was significantly higher compared to non-intensive farms. The semi-intensive breeding system positively influences the animals’ behavior.

scholarly journals Resilience in farm animals: biology, management, breeding and implications for animal welfare

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 1961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian G. Colditz ◽  
Brad C. Hine
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Stress Inoculation ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Specific Reactions ◽  
The Impact

A capacity for the animal to recover quickly from the impact of physical and social stressors and disease challenges is likely to improve evolutionary fitness of wild species and welfare and performance of farm animals. Salience and valence of stimuli sensed through neurosensors, chemosensors and immunosensors are perceived and integrated centrally to generate emotions and engage physiological, behavioural, immune, cognitive and morphological responses that defend against noxious challenges. These responses can be refined through experience to provide anticipatory and learned reactions at lower cost than innate less-specific reactions. Influences of behaviour type, coping style, and affective state and the relationships between immune responsiveness, disease resistance and resilience are reviewed. We define resilience as the capacity of animals to cope with short-term perturbations in their environment and return rapidly to their pre-challenge status. It is manifested in response to episodic, sporadic or situation-specific attributes of the environment and can be optimised via facultative learning by the individual. It is a comparative measure of differences between individuals in the outcomes that follow exposure to potentially adverse situations. In contrast, robustness is the capacity to maintain productivity in a wide range of environments without compromising reproduction, health and wellbeing. Robustness is manifested in response to persistent or cyclical attributes of the environment and is effected via activity of innate regulatory pathways. We suggest that for farm animals, husbandry practices that incorporate physical and social stressors and interactions with humans such as weaning, change of housing, and introduction to the milking parlour can be used to characterise resilience phenotypes. In these settings, resilience is likely to be more readily identified through the rate of return of variables to pre-challenge or normal status rather than through measuring the activity of diverse stress response and adaptation mechanisms. Our strategy for phenotyping resilience of sheep and cattle during weaning is described. Opportunities are examined to increase resilience through genetic selection and through improved management practices that provide emotional and cognitive enrichment and stress inoculation.

Segmentation of Australian meat consumers on the basis of attitudes regarding farm animal welfare and the environmental impact of meat production

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Malek ◽  
Wendy J. Umberger ◽  
John Rolfe
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Livestock Management ◽  
The Impact

While public concern over the welfare of farm animals is believed to have intensified across Australia in recent years, no empirical research has sought to examine and quantify the heterogeneity in farm animal-welfare (FAW) concerns among Australian meat consumers. The present study is the first to address this knowledge gap. Data were collected in 2015 by using a comprehensive online survey instrument completed by a representative sample of 1009 Australian meat consumers. Sample quotas were set for age, gender and location. Using these data, we were able to segment meat consumers according to their attitudes towards FAW and perceptions regarding the environmental impact of meat production. Six unique segments were identified and characterised by purchase behaviour, livestock-management knowledge, farming background and experience, beliefs regarding the consumer/farmer implications of improved FAW, influential information sources, participation in FAW-related activities and socio-demographic variables. Our findings showed that the majority of Australian meat consumers (70%) hold neutral views regarding FAW. However, there are two segments, termed ‘concerned-FAW’ (10%) and ‘anti-FAW’ (20%), which expressed strong views with respect to FAW. Overall, consumer knowledge regarding livestock-management practices was low across all segments, with only 11–42% of consumers indicating that they felt sufficiently informed about FAW. This insight into perceptions of FAW by different segments and the impact of meat production on the environment can assist the industry in developing targeted information campaigns to address consumer concerns and allow better-informed meat purchase decisions.

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