scholarly journals Housing and Management Practices on 33 Pullet Farms in Canada

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nienke van van Staaveren ◽  
Caitlin Decina ◽  
Christine F. Baes ◽  
Tina M. Widowski ◽  
Olaf Berke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Quality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
New Methods ◽  
System Transition ◽  
Management Recommendations

Although Canada is one of the first to provide guidelines on pullet rearing in a new Code of Practice which came into effect in March 2017, little information is available about the housing and management of pullets on Canadian farms. We surveyed 99 pullet farmers and received useable responses from 33 pullet farmers (33.3% response rate) who took part in the Start Clean-Stay Clean™ program through their provincial egg boards across Canada during October–December 2017 as part of a larger study. Most flocks were housed in conventional cage systems (42.4%), followed by single-tier (33.3%) and multi-tier systems (24.2%). Flocks ranged from 1–19 weeks of age (average: 10.5 weeks of age) and were white- (58.1%) or brown-feathered (41.9%). In general, non-cage farmers met the new requirements set out in the Code of Practice for space, perches and litter provision during pullet rearing during this transitional period. Conventional caged flocks did not have opportunities for perching and foraging, but developing new methods to provide pullets with opportunities to perch and forage will become more important as the laying hen housing system transition from conventional cages to furnished cage and non-cage housing systems in Canada progresses. Additionally, clear litter management recommendations for farmers to ensure good litter quality are needed for non-cage housing systems.

scholarly journals A survey on Italian compost dairy barns

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (2s) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Leso ◽  
Maurizio Uberti ◽  
Wasseem Morshed ◽  
Matteo Barbari
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Housing System ◽  
P Value ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
The Usa ◽  
One Year ◽  
Bedding Materials

Compost-bedded pack barns, generally known as compost dairy barns, are alternative housing systems for dairy cows. In these barns, the whole surface of the resting area is covered with a deep-bedded pack that is frequently stirred in order to incorporate fresh manure into the pack and to enhance the evaporation of water. Experiences with compost bedded pack barns for dairy cows are reported in literature from the USA, Israel, the Netherlands and Austria. The main advantages of these housing systems regard animal welfare and manure management. Since 2006, this housing system has been applied consistently in Italy. However, scientific knowledge about Italian compost barns is still lacking. This study aims at describing housing system, assessing producers’ satisfaction and measuring performance of dairy cows housed in compost bedded pack barns. Ten commercial dairy farms in northern Italy was involved in the study. All pens in each farm were surveyed to determine the surface of total available area, bedded area and pack depth. In order to investigate management practices, labor requirement, consumption of bedding materials and producers satisfaction, a questionnaire was submitted to each farm manager. The temperature of the bedded pack was measured in each farm during summer and winter. Moreover, data from Italian Breeder Association were collected for each herd over a period of one year (from September 2011 to September 2012). For the ten compost barns involved in the study the average total available area was 10.9 m2 per cow and the average pack area was 6.7 m2 per cow. The bedded pack was aerated 1.4 times per day. The most commonly used bedding material in these farms was dry sawdust. The consumption of bedding materials was 8.1 m3 per cow per year. A clear tendency to inverse correlation was found between the space per cow and the amount of bedding needed per cow (R2= 0.395; p-value=0.051). Operations related to pack management require 4.1 hours of labor per cow per year. Direct relationship was found between the bedded area space per cow and the annual labor required for pack management per cow (R2=0.505; p-value=0.048). Performance of cows housed in compost barns included in this study was encouraging and although some concerns about the cost of bedding, overall producers were satisfied with this housing system.

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.

Self-reported snake management practices among owners in Victoria, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 187 (3) ◽  
pp. 114-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffani Josey Howell ◽  
Clifford Warwick ◽  
Pauleen C Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Common Practices ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
Educational Campaigns

BackgroundA large number of snakes are kept as pets in Western societies. Few studies have been undertaken to assess keeping practices of snakes by private owners in Australia. Therefore, there is concern that some owners may not understand even basic husbandry requirements. The aim of this preliminary study was to identify the most common practices used by snake owners in Victoria, Australia.MethodAn online survey asked 251 snake owners to describe ways in which they attempt to meet their snake’s environmental, behavioural, dietary, social and health needs.ResultsFewer than half of participants had an enclosure large enough for the snake to fully stretch out, and just over half had an enclosure large enough to meet the requirements in the Victorian Code of Practice. Only 60 per cent of owners correctly identified their snake’s activity patterns based on information about wild snakes of the same species.ConclusionEducational campaigns may help improve outcomes for snakes in the future, but more research is needed about captive snake husbandry, to provide an evidence base for informing snake management recommendations.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Associations Between Management and Feather Damage in Canadian Laying Hens Housed in Furnished Cages

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Decina ◽  
Olaf Berke ◽  
Nienke van Staaveren ◽  
Christine Baes ◽  
Tina Widowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Feather Pecking ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling

Feather pecking is a continuous welfare challenge in the housing of egg-laying hens. Canada is currently making the transition from conventional cages to alternative housing systems. However, feather damage (FD) among laying hens due to feather pecking remains a welfare concern. An explorative approach was taken to assess bird, housing, and management associations with FD in Canadian laying hens housed in alternative systems. A questionnaire focused on housing and management practices was administered to 122 laying farms across Canada in autumn of 2017 (response rate of 52.5%), yielding information on a subset of 26 flocks housed in furnished cages. Additionally, a three-point feather cover scoring system was developed to estimate the prevalence of FD. Farmers assessed FD by sampling 50 birds per flock. Linear regression modeling was applied to explain FD as a function of 6 variables (out of an available 54). Of the 6 modeled variables, “increased age”, “brown feather colour”, “midnight feeding”, and “no scratch area” were associated with higher levels of FD at farm level (R2 = 0.77). The results indicated that FD resulting from feather pecking is a multifactorial problem, and supported existing evidence that FD increases as birds age. These results also suggested that “feather colour”, “midnight feeding”, and “access to (or lack of) a scratch area or additional substrate” play a role in FD prevalence in furnished cages.

A Retrospective Study of Dogs Infected with Ehrlichia canis from 2017-2019 in the Thonburi Area of Bangkok Province, Thailand

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Liver Enzymes ◽  
Serum Biochemistry ◽  
Ehrlichia Canis ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Mixed Breed ◽  
Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis ◽  
Open Housing

Ehrlichia canis is a tick-borne rickettsia. It can cause canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME). Infected dogs are often reported to have changes in their blood values, such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and increased kidney function values. This study aimed to collect data that may be related to infected dogs, including age, gender, breed, weight, close-open housing system, the use of ectoparasiticides products. The sample comprised 57 infected dogs. Collecting hematology and serum biochemistry changes in comparison with the reference values of dogs detected with Ehrlichia canis from 2017-2019, Thonburi District, Bangkok, Thailand was also carried out. In summary, dogs infected with Ehrlichia canis mostly included mixed-breed dogs aged between 1 and 10 years. There were no differences in body weight or housing systems. Dogs that had never used ectoparasiticide products or used them intermittently were infected more often (by 7.14 times) than protected. Clinical hematology and serum biochemistry found anemia, thrombocytopenia, and increased liver enzymes.

Investigating the distribution of strains of Erwinia amylovora and streptomycin resistance in apple orchards in New York using CRISPR profiles: a six-year follow-up

Plant Disease ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Wallis ◽  
Isabella Magna Yannuzzi ◽  
Mei-Wah Choi ◽  
John Spafford ◽  
Matthew Siemon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New England ◽  
Fire Blight ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Erwinia Amylovora ◽  
Resistance Management ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Streptomycin Resistance ◽  
Management Recommendations

Fire blight, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora, is one of the most important diseases of apple. The antibiotic streptomycin is routinely used in the commercial apple industries of New York and New England to manage the disease. In 2002, and again from 2011 to 2014, outbreaks of streptomycin resistance (SmR) were reported and investigated in NY. Motivated by new grower reports of control failures, we conducted a follow-up investigation of the distribution of SmR and E. amylovora strains for major apple production regions of NY over the last six years (2015-2020). Characterization of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) profiles revealed that a few ‘cosmopolitan’ strains were widely prevalent across regions, while many other ‘resident’ strains were confined to one location. In addition, we uncovered novel CRISPR profile diversity in all investigated regions. SmR E. amylovora was detected only in a small area spanning two counties from 2017 to 2020, and always associated with one CRISPR profile (41:23:38), which matched the profile of SmR E. amylovora discovered in 2002. This suggests the original SmR E. amylovora was never fully eradicated and went undetected due to several seasons of low disease pressure in this region. Investigation of several representative isolates under controlled greenhouse conditions indicated significant differences in aggressiveness on ‘Gala’ apples. Potential implications of strain differences include the propensity of strains to become distributed across wide geographic regions and associated resistance management practices. Results from this work will directly influence sustainable fire blight management recommendations for commercial apple industries in NY State and other regions.

scholarly journals Algorithmic Media Need Democratic Methods: Why Publics Matter

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenwick Robert McKelvey
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Management ◽  
Science And Technology Studies ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Public Deliberation ◽  
The Political ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Technical Operation ◽  
Systèmes D’Information

Algorithms increasingly control the backbone of media and information systems. This control occurs deep within opaque technical systems far from the political attention capable of addressing its influence. It also challenges conventional public theory, because the technical operation of algorithms does not prompt the reflection and awareness necessary for forming publics. Informed public deliberation about algorithmic media requires new methods, or mediators, that translate their operations into something publicly tangible. Combining an examination of theoretical work from Science and Technology Studies (STS) with Communication Studies–grounded research into Internet traffic management practices, this article posits that mediating the issues raised by algorithmic media requires that we embrace democratic methods of Internet measurement.De plus en plus, les algorithmes gouvernent la base des médias et des systèmes d’information. Ce contrôle s’exerce au plus profond de systèmes techniques obscurs, loin de l’attention du monde politique et de responsables aptes à encadrer une telle influence. En outre, il remet en question la théorie classique du public. En effet, l’exploitation technique des algorithmes ne suscite pas la réflexion et la sensibilisation propres à éduquer le public. Ainsi, pour qu’ait lieu un débat éclairé, ouvert à tous, sur les médias algorithmiques, il faut privilégier de nouvelles méthodes, ou médiateurs, qui permettront de transposer les activités de ces médias en notions publiquement tangibles. La démarche proposée dans cet article associe l’étude de la communication, étayée par la recherche sur les pratiques de gestion du trafic Internet, à une analyse des travaux théoriques émanant de l’étude des sciences et des technologies. On y pose en principe que la résolution des questions soulevées par les médias algorithmiques passe par l’adoption de méthodes de mesure Internet démocratiques.

Nutritional recommendations and management practices adopted by feedlot cattle nutritionists: the 2016 Brazilian survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 392-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C.J. Pinto ◽  
Danilo D. Millen
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Finishing Diets ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Grain Processing ◽  
Management Recommendations

The feedlot industry in Brazil is still evolving, and some nutritional management recommendations adopted by nutritionists changes from year to year. The main objective of this survey was to provide a snapshot of current nutritional management practices adopted in Brazilian feedlots. The 33 nutritionists surveyed were responsible for approximately 4 228 254 animals. Corn remained as the primary source of grain used in feedlot diets by the participants, whereas fine grinding was the primary grain processing method. Corn silage was the primary roughage source indicated by nutritionists, and for the first time, physically effective neutral detergent fiber was the preferred fiber analysis method. The average dietary fat recommended was 50 g kg−1 of dry matter, which is about 10% higher than values reported in previous surveys. The use of truck-mounted mixers increased, which may have increased the percentage of feedlots using programmed feed delivery per pen, allowing the increase of energy content of finishing diets. Feedlots did not increase their capacity and nutritionists reported an improvement in feeding management. Results reported in the current study provide a baseline that can be used to improve practices and aid in the development of feedlot industry in Brazil and similar tropical climates.

Temporal changes in an alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) population

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell B. East ◽  
J. Daren Riedle ◽  
Day B. Ligon
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Macrochelys Temminckii ◽  
The Status ◽  
Management Recommendations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Data

Context Monitoring populations of long-lived species requires continuous long-term efforts. This is especially applicable for species that have experienced declines range-wide. Aims Our study assessed the current status of a population of wild Macrochelys temminckii and compared the present results to those from a survey conducted nearly a decade ago. Methods Trapping in 2010–2011 was conducted on two creeks within the refuge, during the months of May–July. Capture data were compared with data collected by similar methods in 1997–2001. Key results The population structure of M. temminckii was dominated by juveniles, with few large adults or small juveniles detected and a missing size class was evident. Retrospective analysis of 1997–2001 data revealed that the population was likely to be in decline even then, despite high capture rates. Conclusions The M. temminckii population showed significant declines that indicated that the population had experienced stressors of unknown origin. The status of M. temminckii at the refuge is concerning, given the protection afforded this remnant population. Implications Short-term data from 1997–2001 indicated a healthy M. temminckii population, whereas longer-term data showed that the population has declined, resulting in significant demographic changes. Continued monitoring will be necessary to develop management recommendations and track the impact of implemented management practices. Longer-term monitoring of long-lived vertebrates is required to identify population trends.

scholarly journals Growth Performance of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) reared on deep litter and cages in the hot humid tropics of Southern Bénin Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 191
Author(s):  
Serge Alindekon ◽  
Okhiomah Ahmed Abu ◽  
Jacob Olaniyi Babayemi ◽  
Paul Agblo ◽  
Yvonne Mehouede Adjovi-boco
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Carcass Yield ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Cage System ◽  
System P ◽  
Daily Water ◽  
Factor Data ◽  
Block Factor

The performance of male and female quails reared separately in cages and on deep litter was investigated. One hundred and eighty 3-week old quails managed for five weeks. There were three replicates per treatment with stocking densities of 120cm2/bird in cage and 180cm2/bird on deep litter and sex as a block factor. Data on weekly body weight, weight change, daily feed and water intakes, feed: gain, carcass yield and costs of production were analysed. Daily water consumed by quails between the housing systems (62.76±11.21mL/d on deep litter vs. 66.96±12.18mL/d in cage system, p>0.05) were same. However, quails housed on deep litter consumed more feed from 43-56 days of age (25.34±1.77g/d vs. 22.99±1.55g/d). Quails reared on deep litter also grew faster during the first week of that period (3.33±1.70g/d vs. 0.69±0.87g/d). However, gain in body weight was noticed from day 22 to day 49 but a sudden decline thereafter for all quails regardless of sex and housing system. Carcass yield was not affected by housing system but values for thighs, empty gizzard and liver of quails kept on deep litter were higher (respectively 12.95±0.86% vs. 11.99±0.83%, 2.12±0.18% vs. 1.84±0.20%, 2.11±0.59% vs. 1.88±0.43%; p<0.05). Production costs were the same (p>0.05) whether on deep litter (3414.30±172.95CFA/kg) or in cages (3283.43±77.72CFA/kg). However, the production cost per kilogram of carcass of male quails was lower compared to females (3205.88±138.95CFA/kg vs. 3484.35±131.57CFA/kg, respectively) regardless of the housing system. Sex and age of quails affect performance and not the type of housing system. 

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