Page 57 of articles about behaviour-welfare
France – Agreement among professional organizations about the care of farm animals
On June 22 representatives from different animal producers associations, as well as veterinarians, presented a text project to revise the Rural Code approved last week by parliament members under the Law for the modernization of agriculture and fishing.
Using serum cortisol to distinguish between acute stress and pain response following castration in piglets
This study evaluated the difference between the levels of cortisol in the plasma of piglets under stress (simulated castration) or in pain (castration), under controlled conditions.
Fattening: Manipulable material and lighting
Is the lighting in warehouses up to standard? Are the manipulable materials the right ones?
Positive sow in heat
A sow shows the typical behaviour of estrus and is mated by a boar.
The effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on exploration and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs
The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of type of rooting material and space allowance on explorative and abnormal behaviour in growing pigs. Thirty-six pens with partly slatted concrete floor were allocated to one of four treatments: (1) low space allowance and maize silage as rooting material, (2) high space allowance and maize silage as rooting material, (3) low space allowance and straw as rooting material, and (4) high space allowance and straw as rooting material.
USA - AVMA issues policy on swine castration, tail docking and teeth clipping
The American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Executive Board recently approved proposals to replace the AVMA policy on swine castration, tail docking, and teeth clipping with two new policies.
Piglet castration
At what age can we castrate piglets? Is it possible to castrate without a general anesthetic? The new test on castration tries to resolve these doubts.
Ireland - Smith launches two new €29 million welfare schemes for pigs farmers and poultry producers
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, announced details of two new on-farm investment schemes designed to improve the standards of animal welfare in sow housing and for poultry production.
Australia - Sow stalls under review
Australia's pork industry will consider scrapping the use of sow stalls as long as it gets support from governments and retailers.
Rooting behaviour
Some sows on green pasture. One is nuzzling at the soil. There is a Saddleback boar in the background.
Australia - Tasmania leads the nation in welfare of pigs
The Minister for Primary Industries Bryan Green announced that Tasmania will lead the nation by moving to ban the use of dry sow stalls in piggeries.
Environmental and sow-related factors affecting the duration of farrowing
Allowing the sow to move freely before farrowing, reducing the constipation state and avoid excessive fattening during late pregnancy all appear to be key factors in shortening farrowing time and reducing perinatal mortality.
A flooring comparison: The impact of rubber mats on the health, behavior, and welfare of group-housed sows at breeding
The provision of alternative comfort flooring may provide welfare benefits to breeding sows, though environmental temperature needs to be considered when providing rubber mats.
European Commission will not allow a delay in implementation of the ban on the use of individual sow stalls
In a letter responding to Eurogroup’s request for a clarification of the EU’s current position, the director of the Commission’s animal welfare department informs Eurogroup that the Commission “has no intention” to delay the entry into force of the ban on sow stalls in 2012, which was introduced in 2001 and is included in Directive 2008/120/EC on the protection of pigs.