Behavioural and brain gene expression profiling in pigs during tail biting outbreaks – evidence of a tail biting resistant phenotype

Abnormal tail biting behaviour is a major welfare problem for pigs receiving the behaviour, as well as an indication of decreased welfare in the pigs performing it. However, not all pigs in a pen perform or receive tail biting behaviour and it has recently been shown that these ‘neutral’ pigs not only differ in their […]

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Community partnering as a tool for improving live release rate in animal shelters in the United States

Collaboration among all shelters and non-human animal welfare groups within a community along with the transparent, shared reporting of uniform data have been promoted as effective ways to increase the number of animals’ lives saved. This article summarises the shelter intakes, outcomes, and live release rate (LRR) from 6 geographically diverse communities participating in the […]

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Microclimatic conditions and their effects on sheep behavior during a live export shipment from Australia to the Middle East

The microclimate can potentially impact the health and welfare of livestock exported by ship. Within-pen microclimatic conditions were recorded, and the effects of ammonia on sheep behaviour investigated on a voyage from Australia to the Middle East. Ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, as well as wet-bulb, dry-bulb, and dew-point temperature and air speed, were […]

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Stunning and animal welfare from Islamic and scientific perspectives

The transformation of an animal into pieces fit for human consumption is a very important operation. Rather than argue about halal slaughter without stunning being inhumane or stunning being controversial from the Islamic point of view, we discuss slaughter, stunning and animal welfare considering both Islamic and animal welfare legislation requirements. With the world Muslim […]

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The effect of keel fractures on egg production, feed and water consumption in individual laying hens

1. A total of 165 Lohmann brown laying hens were obtained from a commercial farm that consisted of 105 with keel fractures and 60 without keel fractures. 2. After a 4-d period of acclimatisation, hens were individually housed and provided with ad libitum food and water for a 24-h period. The number of eggs laid, […]

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