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Author Menke, C.; Waiblinger, S.; Foelsch, D.W.; Wiepkema, P.R.
Title Social Behaviour and Injuries of Horned Cows in Loose Housing Systems Type Journal Article
Year 1999 Publication Animal Welfare Abbreviated Journal Anim Welfare
Volume 8 Issue 3 Pages 243-258
Keywords Animal Welfare; Horned Dairy Cows; Human-Animal Relationship; Injuries; Loose Housing; Management; Social Behaviour
Abstract The relationship between social behaviour and skin injuries (caused by horns) of loose housed horned cows was investigated on 35 dairy farms. While the frequencies of two agonistic behaviour elements (push and chase away) were positively correlated with the occurrence of skin injuries, the frequencies of butting and homing were not. Butting appears to have an ambivalent motivation, in that its occurrence is correlated positively both with agonistic behaviour and with social licking. Horning showed a positive correlation with social licking only. Four groups of husbandry conditions that may be associated with the occurrence of social behaviour and of injuries were distinguished: i) herd management, with variables including problem solving management by the farmer, integration of new cows, and dealing with periparturient and oestrus cows; ii) human-animal relationship, with variables including ability to identify individual cows, frequency of brushing the cows, number of milkers, and frequency of personnel changes; iii) animal characteristics, with the variable of herd size; and iv) stable characteristics, with the variable of space per cow (m2). The relevance of the husbandry variables investigated here had been confirmed in a previous stepwise regression analysis (Menke 1996). The variables for herd management and human-animal relationship conditions correlated in a consistent way with the occurrence of agonistic behaviour and/or of injuries, while most of them also correlated in the opposite direction with the occurrence of social licking. Herd size correlated positively with agonistic behaviour, but negatively with social licking. Space per cow correlated negatively with agonistic behaviour and injuries. In more than 70 per cent of the herds investigated, the levels of agonistic behaviour and of skin injuries were low, implying that horned dairy cows can be kept with less risk than is often assumed. We argue that such risks strongly depend on management factors that can be improved.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5480
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Author Menke, C.; Waiblinger, S.; Fölsch, D.W.; Wiepkema, P.R.
Title Social Behaviour and Injuries of Horned Cows in Loose Housing Systems Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication Animal Welfare Abbreviated Journal Anim Welfare
Volume 8 Issue 3 Pages 243-258
Keywords ANIMAL WELFARE; HORNED DAIRY COWS; HUMAN-ANIMAL RELATIONSHIP; INJURIES; LOOSE HOUSING; MANAGEMENT; SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
Abstract The relationship between social behaviour and skin injuries (caused by horns) of loose housed horned cows was investigated on 35 dairy farms. While the frequencies of two agonistic behaviour elements (push and chase away) were positively correlated with the occurrence of skin injuries, the frequencies of butting and homing were not. Butting appears to have an ambivalent motivation, in that its occurrence is correlated positively both with agonistic behaviour and with social licking. Horning showed a positive correlation with social licking only. Four groups of husbandry conditions that may be associated with the occurrence of social behaviour and of injuries were distinguished: i) herd management, with variables including problem solving management by the farmer, integration of new cows, and dealing with periparturient and oestrus cows; ii) human-animal relationship, with variables including ability to identify individual cows, frequency of brushing the cows, number of milkers, and frequency of personnel changes; iii) animal characteristics, with the variable of herd size; and iv) stable characteristics, with the variable of space per cow (m2). The relevance of the husbandry variables investigated here had been confirmed in a previous stepwise regression analysis (Menke 1996). The variables for herd management and human-animal relationship conditions correlated in a consistent way with the occurrence of agonistic behaviour and/or of injuries, while most of them also correlated in the opposite direction with the occurrence of social licking. Herd size correlated positively with agonistic behaviour, but negatively with social licking. Space per cow correlated negatively with agonistic behaviour and injuries. In more than 70 per cent of the herds investigated, the levels of agonistic behaviour and of skin injuries were low, implying that horned dairy cows can be kept with less risk than is often assumed. We argue that such risks strongly depend on management factors that can be improved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved yes
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5110
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Author Miller, R.M.
Title The revolution in horsemanship Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Abbreviated Journal J Am Vet Med Assoc
Volume 216 Issue 8 Pages 1232-1233
Keywords *Animal Welfare; Animals; *Behavior, Animal; *Bonding, Human-Pet; *Horses/psychology; Humans; *Physical Conditioning, Animal
Abstract
Address
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-1488 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:10767957 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 1925
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Author Mormède, P.; Andanson, S.; Aupérin, B.; Beerda, B.; Guémené, D.; Malmkvist, J.; Manteca, X.; Manteuffel, G.; Prunet, P.; van Reenen, C.G.; Richard, S.; Veissier, I.
Title Exploration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function as a tool to evaluate animal welfare Type Journal Article
Year 2007 Publication Physiology & Behavior Abbreviated Journal Physiol. Behav.
Volume 92 Issue 3 Pages 317-339
Keywords Stress; Animal welfare; HPA axis; Glucocorticoid hormones; Acth; Dexamethasone suppression test; Cattle; Pig; Fur animals; Mink; Fox; Poultry; Fish
Abstract Measuring HPA axis activity is the standard approach to the study of stress and welfare in farm animals. Although the reference technique is the use of blood plasma to measure glucocorticoid hormones (cortisol or corticosterone), several alternative methods such as the measurement of corticosteroids in saliva, urine or faeces have been developed to overcome the stress induced by blood sampling itself. In chronic stress situations, as is frequently the case in studies about farm animal welfare, hormonal secretions are usually unchanged but dynamic testing allows the demonstration of functional changes at several levels of the system, including the sensitization of the adrenal cortex to ACTH and the resistance of the axis to feedback inhibition by corticosteroids (dexamethasone suppression test). Beyond these procedural aspects, the main pitfall in the use of HPA axis activity is in the interpretation of experimental data. The large variability of the system has to be taken into consideration, since corticosteroid hormone secretion is usually pulsatile, follows diurnal and seasonal rhythms, is influenced by feed intake and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, age and physiological state, just to cite the main sources of variation. The corresponding changes reflect the important role of glucocorticoid hormones in a number of basic physiological processes such as energy metabolism and central nervous system functioning. Furthermore, large differences have been found across species, breeds and individuals, which reflect the contribution of genetic factors and environmental influences, especially during development, in HPA axis functioning. Usually, these results will be integrated with data from behavioral observation, production and pathology records in a comprehensive approach of farm animal welfare.
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Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4454
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Author Morton, D.B.
Title Self-consciousness and animal suffering Type Journal Article
Year 2000 Publication Biologist (London, England) Abbreviated Journal Biologist (London)
Volume 47 Issue 2 Pages 77-80
Keywords Animal Population Groups/*psychology; Animal Welfare/*standards; Animals; Behavior, Animal; *Consciousness; Dogs; *Ego; Horses/psychology; Pain/psychology/*veterinary; Pan troglodytes/psychology; Parrots; Pongo pygmaeus/psychology; Self Concept
Abstract Animals with relatively highly developed brains are likely to experience some degree of self-awareness and the ability to think. As well as being interesting in its own right, self-consciousness matters from an ethical point of view, since it can give rise to forms of suffering above and beyond the immediate physical sensations of pain or distress. This article surveys the evidence for animal self-consciousness and its implications for animal welfare.
Address Division of Primary Care, Public and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. d.b.morton@bham.ac.uk
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0006-3347 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:11190233 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 618
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Author Munsters, C.C.B.M.; Visser, K.E.K.; van den Broek, J.; Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan, M.M.
Title The influence of challenging objects and horse-rider matching on heart rate, heart rate variability and behavioural score in riding horses Type Journal Article
Year 2012 Publication The Veterinary Journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 192 Issue 1 Pages 75-80
Keywords Horse-rider interaction; Horse compliance; Welfare; Heart rate; Behaviour score
Abstract A good horse-rider ‘match’ is important in the context of equine welfare. To quantify the influence of repetition and horse-rider matching on the stress of horses encountering challenging objects, 16 Warmblood horses were ridden in a test-setting on three occasions. On each occasion the horse was ridden by a different rider and was challenged by three objects (A–C). Heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) of horse and rider, and behaviour score (BS) of the horse were obtained for each object and as a total for each test. The horse-rider interaction was evaluated with each combination and assessed as ‘matching’ or ‘mismatching’, and the horses were categorised as ‘compliant’, ‘partly-compliant’ or ‘non-compliant’. Horses exhibited a decreased HR (P = 0.015) and a decreased BS (P = 0.004) within and across different tests. ‘Matching’ horse-rider combinations exhibited less stress as indicated by reduced HR (‘match’ 69 ± 10 vs. ‘mismatch’ 72 ± 9, P = 0.001) and BS (‘match’ 1.9 ± 1.1 vs. ‘mismatch’ 3.8 ± 1.4, P = 0.017) of the horse. ‘Compliant’ (68 ± 8, P < 0.001) and ‘partly-compliant’ (71 ± 9, P = 0.002) horses had significantly lower HR than ‘non-compliant’ (75 ± 9) animals. The findings of the study indicate that HR and BS measurements support a subjective ‘match’ diagnosis and HR measurement may be a valuable tool in assessing horse compliance.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1090-0233 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5636
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Author Nagy, K.; Bodó, G.; Bárdos, G.; Harnos, A.
Title Is modified Forssell"s operation superior to cribbing collar in preventing crib-biting in horses? Type Conference Article
Year 2008 Publication IESM 2008 Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords stereotypic behaviour, heart-rate variability, stress, equine welfare
Abstract Crib-biting (wind-sucking) might be a coping response of the horses to the challenges of

uncontrolled environmental events. Prevention of this stereotypic behaviour evokes

physiological responses consistent with increased stress. Reducing the incidence of cribbiting,

however, is important in order to prevent undesirable physical and behavioural

consequences (tooth erosion, altered gut function, gastric inflammation/ulceration, colic, etc.).

Common treatment of crib-biting is the application of a cribbing collar, which limits the

flexion of the neck making this stereotypic movement uncomfortable and difficult. Another

method, the modified Forssell“s operation, is becoming more and more popular amongst the

horse owners. It is based on the removal of the muscles used in crib-biting (m.omohyoideus,

m.sternohyoideus, m.sternothyrohyoideus) and the ventral branches of the spinal accessory

nerves. Surveys on the success of this surgical procedure have revealed inconsistent results,

and, contrary to the cribbing collar, its effect on the stress level have not been studied either.

The aim of our study was to determine whether the modified Forssell”s procedure is superior

to the cribbing collar treatment.

Differences in stress management was tested by a crib-biting provoking test, in which

surgically treated horses, crib-biting horses, crib-biting horses with cribbing collar, and

normal horses (those showing no stereotypies), altogether 56 horses were compared. In this

test, a food bucket had been placed out of the reach of the animal, from which titbits were

given 3 times. Behaviour and heart rate variability (HRV) of the horses were recorded and

analysed throughout the test. Hypotheses were tested by linear mixed model.

According to our results, both prevention methods (collar or surgery) inhibited crib-biting

successfully though not totally. Regarding behaviour and heart rate variability, horses

prevented from crib-biting (by collar or surgery) differed significantly from crib-biting and

normal horses but not from each other.

Normal horses were usually trying to reach the food-bucket while present and were standing

still afterwards, whereas the other three groups had not really made efforts to reach the

bucket, spent less time with resting, and performed or tried crib-biting. During the stress-test,

normal and crib-biting horses had shown good stress-adaptation to the challenge since their

HRV, after an initial increase, returned to the basal value by the end. On the contrary, HRV of

the two prevented groups remained elevated and showed large oscillations throughout. They

had not found a successful coping behaviour either.

Our results suggest that since prevention may significantly increase distress, the treatment in

itself, without changing the motivation of the horse to perform the replacement behaviour – it

seems to be unsatisfactory and insufficient. After prevention the motivation of the horse to

perform crib-biting should be addressed. In addition, considering that prevention by collar and

surgery had not resulted in any significant behavioural or physiological differences, the

superiority of the modified Forssell"s procedure might be questioned. However, the surgery

might be recommended if treatment with collar is ineffective.
Address Szent István University, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Budapest, István u. 2, H-1078, Hungary;Eötvös Loránd University, Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Budapest, Pázmány P. stny. 1/C, H-1117, Hungary
Corporate Author Nagy, K. Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference IESM 2008
Notes Talk 15 min IESM 2008 Approved yes
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4492
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Author Nagy, K.; Bodó, G.; Bárdos, G.; Harnos, A.; Kabai, P.
Title The effect of a feeding stress-test on the behaviour and heart rate variability of control and crib-biting horses (with or without inhibition) Type Journal Article
Year 2009 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 121 Issue 2 Pages 140-147
Keywords Stereotypic behaviour; Crib-biting; Modified Forssell's operation; Cribbing collar; Equine welfare; Stress coping
Abstract Crib-biting is a form of oral stereotypy affecting 4-5% of horses. Once fixed, crib-biting is difficult to eliminate by behaviour therapy, however, its performance can be inhibited by collar or surgery treatment (modified Forssell's procedure). Although surgical intervention is widespread, the effects on stress coping in horses have not been studied. In the present study we evaluated changes in behaviour response and heart rate variability in 9 control, 10 crib-biting, 10 collar and 11 surgically treated horses in a feeding stress-test, in which a feeding-bowl was placed in front but out of the reach of the horses, from which tidbits were given 3 times. We found that stress triggers high oral activity, mainly cribbing in crib-biting horses, elevates other forms of oral activities in the inhibited groups and does not affect oral activities of controls. Instead of performing oral activities, control horses tended to target an unavailable feeding-bowl by pawing or head-tossing. Changes in stress level were indistinguishable in controls and crib-biters as heart rate variability returned to baseline values in both groups. In contrast, horses inhibited to perform crib-biting showed elevated stress level throughout the test period. Our results suggest that crib-biting may develop to cope with stress, and such coping function diminishes when inhibited.
Address
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Language Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-1591 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 5091
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Author Newberry, R.C.; Swanson, J.C.
Title Implications of breaking mother-young social bonds Type Journal Article
Year 2008 Publication Applied Animal Behaviour Science Abbreviated Journal Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci.
Volume 110 Issue 1-2 Pages 3-23
Keywords Animal welfare; Emotion; Separation; Social attachment; Weaning
Abstract Whereas mammalian mothers and young may retain long-term social affiliations in nature, the management of animals in captivity typically dictates that offspring are abruptly and permanently separated from their mothers at a relatively early age, often prior to the time of natural weaning. For animal breeders, this strategy can enhance the yield of offspring from a breeding population. Morbidity and mortality can also precipitate severance of mother-young bonds. Although it is recognized that early weaning provides nutritional challenges for the young, relatively little attention has been paid to the psychological consequences and long-term impacts of breaking the mother-young bond in non-human mammals. Furthermore, whereas great strides are being made in our understanding of the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of social bonding, the mechanisms underlying the process of detachment following establishment of a mother-young bond remain relatively unexplored, although parallels can be drawn with processes involved in withdrawal from addictive substances. In this review, we outline mechanisms involved in social bonding. We consider the diversity in extent and duration of mother-young attachment across mammalian lineages and implications for predicting the outcome of severing ties between mothers and young at different times post-partum. We identify characteristics signalling emotional distress resulting from separation of mothers and young and discuss strategies for mitigating separation-induced distress. These include postponement of separation, ensuring high-quality maternal care of young prior to separation, providing bonded individuals with opportunities to separate voluntarily for brief periods prior to permanent separation, use of anti-suck devices prior to separation, allowing a period of partial (fence line) contact prior to full separation, providing substitutes for stimuli previously exchanged between mother and young, providing social buffers, gradual introduction to new housing arrangements, and pharmacological intervention. Areas for future research are proposed, including the use of functional neuroimaging technologies and functional genomics approaches, in combination with behavioural assessments of reinstatement motivation, individual recognition memory and long-term consequences of early separation, to shed further light on the nature of mother-young bonding and detachment in animals.
Address Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, United States
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Notes Export Date: 23 October 2008; Source: Scopus Approved no
Call Number Equine Behaviour @ team @ Serial 4556
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Author Nicol, C.J.; Brown, S.N.; Glen, E.; Pope, S.J.; Short, F.J.; Warriss, P.D.; Zimmerman, P.H.; Wilkins, L.J.
Title Effects of stocking density, flock size and management on the welfare of laying hens in single-tier aviaries Type Journal Article
Year 2006 Publication British poultry science Abbreviated Journal Br Poult Sci
Volume 47 Issue 2 Pages 135-146
Keywords Animal Husbandry/*methods; *Animal Welfare; Animals; Body Constitution/*physiology; Chickens/*physiology; Crowding; Feathers; Female; *Housing, Animal/standards; Mortality; Organ Size; Oviposition/physiology; Population Density; Population Dynamics; Random Allocation
Abstract Management practices, stocking rate and flock size may affect laying hen welfare but there have been few replicated studies in commercial non-cage systems that investigate this. This study used a broad range of physical and physiological indicators to assess the welfare of hens in 36 commercial flocks. Six laying period treatments were examined with each treatment replicated 6 times. It was not possible to randomly allocate treatments to houses, so treatment and house were largely confounded. Three stocking rates were compared: 7 birds/m(2) (n = 2450), 9 birds/m(2) (n = 3150) and 12 birds/m(2) in either small (n = 2450) or large (n = 4200) flocks. In addition, at 12 birds/m(2), in both small and large flocks, birds were subjected to either standard (SM) or modified (MM) management. MM flocks had nipple drinkers and no nest-box lights. Bone strength, fracture incidence, heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, live weight, organ weights, serum creatine, serum osmolality, muscle pH and faecal corticosterone were measured on samples of birds at the end of the rearing period and at the end of lay. During the laying period, mortality, production and integument condition were recorded at regular intervals. Birds housed at 9 birds/m(2) had higher mortality than birds housed at 12 birds/m(2) by the end of lay, but not higher than birds housed at 7 birds/m(2). Birds housed at 7 and 9 birds/m(2) had lower percent liver weight, and worse plumage condition than most of the 12 bird/m(2) treatments. Modified management tended to improve plumage condition. There were no clear effects of flock size on the welfare indicators recorded. At the end of the rearing period fracture incidence was almost negligible and H:L ratio was within a normal range. By the end of lay fracture incidence was 60% and H:L ratio was high, with no treatment effect for either measure. This, together with information on faecal corticosterone, feather loss and mortality, suggests that the welfare of birds in all treatments was relatively poor by the end of lay.
Address School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford BS40 5DU and ADAS Gleadthorpe, Meden Vale, Mansfield, Notts NG20 9PF, England. c.j.nicol@bristol.ac.uk
Corporate Author Thesis
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Language English Summary Language Original Title
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0007-1668 ISBN Medium
Area Expedition Conference
Notes PMID:16641024 Approved no
Call Number refbase @ user @ Serial 65
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