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The mutually beneficial relationships between improving animal welfare (AW) and achieving the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) were further explored and compared to previous work. This was done in the context of a doctoral training course where students selected at least six SDGs and reasoned around their impact on AW and vice versa. Then, students rated the strength of the SDG—AW links. Lastly, students engaged in an assessment exercise. Students reported an overall mutually beneficial relationship between AW and all SDGs, yet with significant differences in strength for SDGs 4, 11, 10, 12 and 13 to that previously found by experts. Students considered SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production the most promising way to integrate AW targets. This study further supports the positive role of AW in the success of the UN’s strategy. Still, the magnitude of the anticipated impacts is modified by stakeholder, context and experience.
Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Håkan Tunón; Daiana de Oliveira; Michael Jones; Anna Wallenbeck; Janice Swanson; Harry Blokhuis; Linda Keeling. Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives. Sustainability 2021, 13, 3328 .
AMA StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón, Håkan Tunón, Daiana de Oliveira, Michael Jones, Anna Wallenbeck, Janice Swanson, Harry Blokhuis, Linda Keeling. Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (6):3328.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGabriela Olmos Antillón; Håkan Tunón; Daiana de Oliveira; Michael Jones; Anna Wallenbeck; Janice Swanson; Harry Blokhuis; Linda Keeling. 2021. "Animal Welfare and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—Broadening Students’ Perspectives." Sustainability 13, no. 6: 3328.
Although there now exists a wide range of policies, instruments and regulations, in Europe and increasingly beyond, to improve and safeguard the welfare of farmed animals, there remain persistent and significant welfare issues in virtually all types of animal production systems ranging from high prevalence of lameness to limited possibilities to express natural behaviours. Protocols and indicators, such as those provided by Welfare Quality, mean that animal welfare can nowadays be regularly measured and surveyed at the farm level. However, the digital revolution in agriculture opens possibilities to quantify animal welfare using multiple sensors and data analytics. This allows daily monitoring of animal welfare at the group and individual animal level, for example, by measuring changes in behaviour patterns or physiological parameters. The present paper explores the potential for developing innovations in digital technologies to improve the management of animal welfare at the farm, during transport or at slaughter. We conclude that the innovations in Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) offer significant opportunities for a more holistic, evidence-based approach to the monitoring and surveillance of farmed animal welfare. To date, the emphasis in much PLF technologies has been on animal health and productivity. This paper argues that this emphasis should not come to define welfare. What is now needed is a coming together of industry, scientists, food chain actors, policy-makers and NGOs to develop and use the promise of PLF for the creative and effective improvement of farmed animal welfare.
Henry Buller; Harry Blokhuis; Kees Lokhorst; Mathieu Silberberg; Isabelle Veissier. Animal Welfare Management in a Digital World. Animals 2020, 10, 1779 .
AMA StyleHenry Buller, Harry Blokhuis, Kees Lokhorst, Mathieu Silberberg, Isabelle Veissier. Animal Welfare Management in a Digital World. Animals. 2020; 10 (10):1779.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHenry Buller; Harry Blokhuis; Kees Lokhorst; Mathieu Silberberg; Isabelle Veissier. 2020. "Animal Welfare Management in a Digital World." Animals 10, no. 10: 1779.
This paper systematically evaluates the extent to which achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) is compatible with improving animal welfare. The analyses were based on discussion and independent scoring in a group of 12 participants with academic backgrounds within agricultural or veterinary sciences. We considered all categories of animals; those kept for food production, working and companion animals, but also laboratory and wild animals. The strengths of the links between improving animal welfare and achieving an SDG were scored on a 7-point scale, from being completely indivisible, at one end of the scale, to where it is impossible to reach both the SDG and improved animal welfare at the same time. There was good consensus between participants, with the overall scores being positive, indicating that although animal welfare is not explicitly mentioned in the SDGs, working to achieving the SDGs is compatible with working to improve animal welfare. When analyzing the direction of the links, the impact of achieving an SDG was considered, on average, to be slightly better at leading to improved animal welfare, than the impact of improving animal welfare was on achieving the SDG. The exception to this was for SDG 2, dealing with zero hunger. The two SDGs for which there was strongest mutual reinforcing were SDG 12, which deals with responsible production and consumption, and SDG 14, which deals with life below water. Most of the targets under these two SDGs were considered relevant to animal welfare, whereas when all SDGs were considered, 66 targets of the total of 169 were considered relevant. Although the results of this study suggest a mutually beneficial relationship between improving animal welfare and achieving SDGs, this should be confirmed on a wider group of people, for example people from less developed countries and other stakeholders. Showing the relationships between animal welfare and the sustainable development goals helps highlight the importance of animal welfare when implementing these goals in practice. The methodology described in this study could also be useful to researchers working with other societal and environmental issues not yet considered within the overall SDG framework.
Linda Keeling; Håkan Tunon; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Charlotte Berg; Mike Jones; Leopoldo Stuardo; Janice Swanson; Anna Wallenbeck; Christoph Winckler; Harry Blokhuis. Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2019, 6, 1 .
AMA StyleLinda Keeling, Håkan Tunon, Gabriela Olmos Antillón, Charlotte Berg, Mike Jones, Leopoldo Stuardo, Janice Swanson, Anna Wallenbeck, Christoph Winckler, Harry Blokhuis. Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2019; 6 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLinda Keeling; Håkan Tunon; Gabriela Olmos Antillón; Charlotte Berg; Mike Jones; Leopoldo Stuardo; Janice Swanson; Anna Wallenbeck; Christoph Winckler; Harry Blokhuis. 2019. "Animal Welfare and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 6, no. : 1.
Animal welfare is an important aspect of the acceptability and thus sustainability of animal production systems in Europe and, increasingly, in the rest of the world. In this chapter, we will first describe some developments in animal production and the related societal discussion on animal welfare with focus on the European Union. Then we will discuss animal welfare research and welfare assessment and we illustrate the case of the development of the Welfare Quality® protocols promoted by the European Union. Finally, we address current initiatives for improving the transparency of the market for animal-friendly produced products via labelling as well as technological developments for improving animal welfare.
Harry Blokhuis; Isabelle Veissier; Mara Miele; Bryan Jones. Safeguarding farm animal welfare. Sustainability Certification Schemes in the Agricultural and Natural Resource Sectors 2019, 137 -153.
AMA StyleHarry Blokhuis, Isabelle Veissier, Mara Miele, Bryan Jones. Safeguarding farm animal welfare. Sustainability Certification Schemes in the Agricultural and Natural Resource Sectors. 2019; ():137-153.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHarry Blokhuis; Isabelle Veissier; Mara Miele; Bryan Jones. 2019. "Safeguarding farm animal welfare." Sustainability Certification Schemes in the Agricultural and Natural Resource Sectors , no. : 137-153.
The Hennovation project, an EU H2020 funded thematic network, aimed to explore the potential value of practice-led multi-actor innovation networks within the laying hen industry. The project proposed that husbandry solutions can be practice-led and effectively supported to achieve durable gains in sustainability and animal welfare. It encouraged a move away from the traditional model of science providing solutions for practice, towards a collaborative approach where expertise from science and practice were equally valued. During the 32-month project, the team facilitated 19 multi-actor networks in five countries through six critical steps in the innovation process: problem identification, generation of ideas, planning, small scale trials, implementation and sharing with others. The networks included farmers, processors, veterinarians, technical advisors, market representatives and scientists. The interaction between the farmers and the other network actors, including scientists, was essential for farmer innovation. New relationships emerged between the scientists and farmers, based on experimental learning and the co-production of knowledge for improving laying hen welfare. The project demonstrated that a practice-led approach can be a major stimulus for innovation with several networks generating novel ideas and testing them in their commercial context. The Hennovation innovation networks not only contributed to bridging the science-practice gap by application of existing scientific solutions in practice but more so by jointly finding new solutions. Successful multi-actor, practice-led innovation networks appeared to depend upon the following key factors: active participation from relevant actors, professional facilitation, moderate resource support and access to relevant expertise. Farmers and processors involved in the project were often very enthusiastic about the approach, committing significant time to the network’s activities. It is suggested that the agricultural research community and funding agencies should place greater value on practice-led multi-actor innovation networks alongside technology and advisor focused initiatives to improve animal welfare and embed best practices.
Lisa van Dijk; Henry J. Buller; Harry J. Blokhuis; Thea van Niekerk; Eva Voslarova; Xavier Manteca; Claire A. Weeks; David C. J. Main. HENNOVATION: Learnings from Promoting Practice-Led Multi-Actor Innovation Networks to Address Complex Animal Welfare Challenges within the Laying Hen Industry. Animals 2019, 9, 24 .
AMA StyleLisa van Dijk, Henry J. Buller, Harry J. Blokhuis, Thea van Niekerk, Eva Voslarova, Xavier Manteca, Claire A. Weeks, David C. J. Main. HENNOVATION: Learnings from Promoting Practice-Led Multi-Actor Innovation Networks to Address Complex Animal Welfare Challenges within the Laying Hen Industry. Animals. 2019; 9 (1):24.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLisa van Dijk; Henry J. Buller; Harry J. Blokhuis; Thea van Niekerk; Eva Voslarova; Xavier Manteca; Claire A. Weeks; David C. J. Main. 2019. "HENNOVATION: Learnings from Promoting Practice-Led Multi-Actor Innovation Networks to Address Complex Animal Welfare Challenges within the Laying Hen Industry." Animals 9, no. 1: 24.
H. J. Blokhuis. Animal welfare: information in a changing world. Animal welfare in a changing world 2018, 208 -216.
AMA StyleH. J. Blokhuis. Animal welfare: information in a changing world. Animal welfare in a changing world. 2018; ():208-216.
Chicago/Turabian StyleH. J. Blokhuis. 2018. "Animal welfare: information in a changing world." Animal welfare in a changing world , no. : 208-216.
To validate the accuracy of 2 commercially available activity loggers in determining lying, standing, walking, and number of steps in dairy cows, 30 cows were fitted with the CowScout Leg (GEA Farm Technologies, Bönen, Germany) system and the IceTag (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, Scotland) system. The CowScout Leg logger reports standing and lying in 15-min periods, whereas the IceTag logger reports standing and lying every second. To make data comparable, the IceTag data were therefore also summarized over 15-min periods corresponding to the paired CowScout Leg sensor. These data from the 2 systems were then analyzed (more than 1,000 cow days in total). Video recordings of a total of 29.5 h were used for labeling the behaviors of the selected cows (n = 10) and these labels were used as a gold standard to determine the accuracy with which these 2 loggers can record behavioral states lying, standing, walking, and the behavioral event number of steps. A concordance correlation coefficient analysis showed that both the standing and lying durations obtained with the 2 systems were almost perfectly correlated with the video labeling (IceTag: ρ = 0.999 and 0.999, respectively; CowScout Leg: ρ = 0.995 and 0.996, respectively). However, both loggers performed poorly regarding number of steps (classified as an event; IceTag: ρ = 0.629; CowScout Leg: ρ = 0.678) and CowScout Leg did not detect walking (classified as a state) very accurately (ρ = 0.860). The IceTag system does not measure walking behavior. When comparing the 2 loggers, the correlation between them for standing and lying was substantial (ρ = 0.953 and ρ = 0.953, respectively). The number of steps poorly correlated between the 2 loggers (ρ = 0.593), which might be due to the CowScout Leg logger being attached to the front leg and the IceTag logger being attached to the hind leg. We conclude that both the IceTag and the CowScout Leg logger are able to record standing and lying almost perfectly, but the step counting by both loggers and the walking recording by the CowScout Leg logger are not very accurate.
Per Peetz Nielsen; Ilaria Fontana; Karen Helle Sloth; Marcella Guarino; Harry Blokhuis. Technical note: Validation and comparison of 2 commercially available activity loggers. Journal of Dairy Science 2018, 101, 5449 -5453.
AMA StylePer Peetz Nielsen, Ilaria Fontana, Karen Helle Sloth, Marcella Guarino, Harry Blokhuis. Technical note: Validation and comparison of 2 commercially available activity loggers. Journal of Dairy Science. 2018; 101 (6):5449-5453.
Chicago/Turabian StylePer Peetz Nielsen; Ilaria Fontana; Karen Helle Sloth; Marcella Guarino; Harry Blokhuis. 2018. "Technical note: Validation and comparison of 2 commercially available activity loggers." Journal of Dairy Science 101, no. 6: 5449-5453.
As farm animal welfare becomes an increasingly important component of contemporary global livestock production, animal welfare science and animal welfare policy-making need to find new ways of entering global debates over food security and sustainability. In this paper, we explore the means by which both animal welfare science and policy should articulate with these emerging global debates. Having first established the important gains in animal welfare policy and the maturity of animal welfare science, we identify and explore the potential impact of these current debates and argue that they have the potential for profound change in our understanding of, and our response to, the welfare of animals. We conclude the paper with a number of possible recommendations for how a scientifically informed, sustainable animal welfare policy might flourish.
Henry Buller; Harry Blokhuis; Per Jensen; Linda Keeling. Towards Farm Animal Welfare and Sustainability. Animals 2018, 8, 81 .
AMA StyleHenry Buller, Harry Blokhuis, Per Jensen, Linda Keeling. Towards Farm Animal Welfare and Sustainability. Animals. 2018; 8 (6):81.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHenry Buller; Harry Blokhuis; Per Jensen; Linda Keeling. 2018. "Towards Farm Animal Welfare and Sustainability." Animals 8, no. 6: 81.
This study was designed to determine whether feedback from welfare assessments, using the Horse Welfare Assessment Protocol, affected actual horse welfare in 21 stables. After the first assessment, stable managers in the high feedback (HF; n = 10 stables) group were supplied with extensive information and support regarding the welfare measures and relevance of the results. The low feedback (LF; n = 11 stables) group only received the results without additional information. Upon re-assessment, six months later, no significant changes were seen in the stable overall (SO) score in either group. Significant changes occurred in individual measures; in the HF group more fresh-air inlets were open but water drinker function and ocular discharge deteriorated. In the LF group, the feeding troughs were cleaner but mane and tail condition deteriorated. Both groups had cleaner water troughs and less equipment chafing but the sum of relative air humidity (RH) and temperature (T) deteriorated. Significant decreases occurred in the stable welfare issues (SWI) score; the HF group decreased from 93.3 to 72.0 and the LF group from 113.3 to 91.3. There were also non-significant changes; in the HF group, 71 measures and five stables improved while 63 measures and five stables (50%) deteriorated. In the LF group, 65 measures and seven stables improved while 62 measures and four stables deteriorated. The observed improvements in both groups suggest that assessment alone (with no detailed feedback) might raise awareness but we cannot yet conclude whether or not the type of feedback affects overall horse welfare.
SM Viksten*; Ek Visser; Pl Hitchens; HJ Blokhuis. The effects of feedback from horse welfare assessments. Animal Welfare 2018, 27, 125 -131.
AMA StyleSM Viksten*, Ek Visser, Pl Hitchens, HJ Blokhuis. The effects of feedback from horse welfare assessments. Animal Welfare. 2018; 27 (2):125-131.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSM Viksten*; Ek Visser; Pl Hitchens; HJ Blokhuis. 2018. "The effects of feedback from horse welfare assessments." Animal Welfare 27, no. 2: 125-131.
Perching is important for broiler welfare, however, hampered by body weight. In a mixed flock, resting behaviour and location were compared between three broiler hybrids (Rowan Ranger, Hubbard CYJA57 & Ross 308; n = 100/hybrid), differing in growth. Rearing was in a large littered pen (1.84 birds/m2), with perches. Behaviour and position was observed in focal birds on daytime and as group scans on daytime (days 11, 45, 61 and 80) and night-time (days 63, 70 and 77). Birds were slaughtered at 84 days and accumulated mortality in fast-growing birds was 20% and 2% in slow-growing. Resting frequency did not differ though fast-growing broilers perched less and lower, at night (P < .01) and day (P < .01). On daytime, males disturbed birds resting on the floor more than females did (P < .05). Disrupted rest is a potential welfare issue in broilers, hence perches or other elevated structures would improve welfare.
J. Yngvesson; M. Wedin; S. Gunnarsson; L. Jönsson; H. Blokhuis; Anna Wallenbeck. Let me sleep! Welfare of broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) with disrupted resting behaviour. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 2017, 67, 123 -133.
AMA StyleJ. Yngvesson, M. Wedin, S. Gunnarsson, L. Jönsson, H. Blokhuis, Anna Wallenbeck. Let me sleep! Welfare of broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) with disrupted resting behaviour. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. 2017; 67 (3-4):123-133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ. Yngvesson; M. Wedin; S. Gunnarsson; L. Jönsson; H. Blokhuis; Anna Wallenbeck. 2017. "Let me sleep! Welfare of broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus) with disrupted resting behaviour." Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 67, no. 3-4: 123-133.
The possibility of using automatic recordings of broiler chicken activity in commercial flocks to assess the birds΄ walking ability (lameness) was investigated. Data were collected from 5 commercial broiler farms in 4 European countries, using 16 flocks and 33 assessment occasions. Lameness was assessed using established gait scoring methods (Kestin et al., 1992; Welfare Quality®, 2009) and took place at 3, 4, and 5 wk of age. Gait score (GS) was used to assess the birds’ walking ability, and automatic recordings of bird activity were collected using the eYeNamic™ camera system before, during, and after an assessor walked through the house. The variables used to predict the level of GS extracted from the camera system were: baseline activity, time from assessor leaving the house to resumption of baseline activity, average activity over that period, and Δ Amplitude (difference between highest activity peak after assessor left the house and baseline level). Age (<0.001) and Δ Amplitude (P = 0.0002) were significantly related to GS, with the gait getting poorer with increased age and Δ Amplitude decreasing with declining walking ability. Both measures are thus included in a predictive equation. The results demonstrate a potential method using image analysis techniques to realize an automated assessment of the level of lameness in commercial broiler flocks. This could be of use in future animal welfare assessment schemes.
A. M. Silvera; Toby Knowles; Andrew Butterworth; D. Berckmans; E. Vranken; Harry Blokhuis. Lameness assessment with automatic monitoring of activity in commercial broiler flocks. Poultry Science 2017, 96, 2013 -2017.
AMA StyleA. M. Silvera, Toby Knowles, Andrew Butterworth, D. Berckmans, E. Vranken, Harry Blokhuis. Lameness assessment with automatic monitoring of activity in commercial broiler flocks. Poultry Science. 2017; 96 (7):2013-2017.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. M. Silvera; Toby Knowles; Andrew Butterworth; D. Berckmans; E. Vranken; Harry Blokhuis. 2017. "Lameness assessment with automatic monitoring of activity in commercial broiler flocks." Poultry Science 96, no. 7: 2013-2017.
1. The present study was designed first to explore the potential economic benefits of adopting management practices to reduce lameness in broiler farms, and second to explore farmers' possible perceptions of this potential in the Swedish context. The likely financial effects were addressed using a normative economic model, whereas a questionnaire-based survey was used to obtain in-depth knowledge about the perceptions of a group of broiler farmers in Sweden. 2. The three alternative practices (out of 6 tested) which realised the greatest improvements in gross margin and net return to management compared to the conventional practice were feeding whole wheat, sequential feeding and meal feeding. 3. The model showed that the negative effect of feeding whole wheat on feed conversion rate was outweighed by the effect of a low feed price and the associated decrease in feed costs. The price of wheat played a major role in the improvement of economic performance, whereas the reduction of lameness itself made a relatively minor contribution. 4. Apparently, the surveyed farmers do not recognise the potential of the positive effects of changing feed or feeding practices on both broiler welfare and farm economics although their implementation can be of great importance in the broiler sector where profit margins are very tight..
É. Gocsik; A. M. Silvera; Helena Hansson; H. W. Saatkamp; H. J. Blokhuis. Exploring the economic potential of reducing broiler lameness. British Poultry Science 2017, 58, 337 -347.
AMA StyleÉ. Gocsik, A. M. Silvera, Helena Hansson, H. W. Saatkamp, H. J. Blokhuis. Exploring the economic potential of reducing broiler lameness. British Poultry Science. 2017; 58 (4):337-347.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÉ. Gocsik; A. M. Silvera; Helena Hansson; H. W. Saatkamp; H. J. Blokhuis. 2017. "Exploring the economic potential of reducing broiler lameness." British Poultry Science 58, no. 4: 337-347.
Sofie Viksten; Ek Visser; S Nyman; Harry Blokhuis. Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol. Animal Welfare 2017, 26, 59 -65.
AMA StyleSofie Viksten, Ek Visser, S Nyman, Harry Blokhuis. Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol. Animal Welfare. 2017; 26 (1):59-65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSofie Viksten; Ek Visser; S Nyman; Harry Blokhuis. 2017. "Developing a horse welfare assessment protocol." Animal Welfare 26, no. 1: 59-65.
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of additional human contact (AHC) on the human–animal relationship (HAR) in broilers and on the birds’ productivity. A total of 1558 broiler one-day-old chicks were distributed into 12 equally sized pens at two different stocking densities (SDs), calculated on estimated weight at slaughter (4 pens with 32 kg/m2 and 8 pens with 16 kg/m2). Six groups (2 high and 4 low SDs) received AHC, which consisted of 30-min sessions with visual human contact three days/week. The remaining six groups received as little human contact as possible and served as controls. A touch test was used to assess the human–broiler relationship and the production parameters measured were growth rate, mortality, feed consumption and feed conversion. The AHC treatment had a positive effect on the quality of the HAR but failed to affect any production parameter.
A. M. Silvera; A. Wallenbeck; Andrew Butterworth; H. J. Blokhuis. Modification of the human–broiler relationship and its potential effects on production. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 2016, 66, 161 -167.
AMA StyleA. M. Silvera, A. Wallenbeck, Andrew Butterworth, H. J. Blokhuis. Modification of the human–broiler relationship and its potential effects on production. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. 2016; 66 (3):161-167.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. M. Silvera; A. Wallenbeck; Andrew Butterworth; H. J. Blokhuis. 2016. "Modification of the human–broiler relationship and its potential effects on production." Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 66, no. 3: 161-167.
Two assessment protocols for horse welfare were compared: the Swedish official protocol (OP) and a newly developed horse welfare assessment protocol (HWAP). The protocols differ in composition: the HWAP contains 20 animal-based (35.7%), 28 resource-based (50.0%) and 8 management-based (14.3%) measures whereas the OP has 4 animal-based (8.9%), 21-resource-based (46.7%), 16-management-based (35.6%) and 4-uncategorized measures (8.9%). The HWAP detected more welfare issues than the OP for 11 out of 12 welfare criteria. The OP took less time to assess (2–4 h) compared to the HWAP (3 h 20 min to 8 h 40 min). The added level of detail and more animal-based measures means that the HWAP provides a more thorough assessment of welfare of the individual animal than the OP.
S. M. Viksten; E. K. Visser; Harry Blokhuis. A comparative study of the application of two horse welfare assessment protocols. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 2016, 66, 56 -65.
AMA StyleS. M. Viksten, E. K. Visser, Harry Blokhuis. A comparative study of the application of two horse welfare assessment protocols. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. 2016; 66 (1):56-65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. M. Viksten; E. K. Visser; Harry Blokhuis. 2016. "A comparative study of the application of two horse welfare assessment protocols." Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 66, no. 1: 56-65.
In the present study, a web-based questionnaire was used with the aim to investigate perceived relevance of 14 behavioural traits in horses regarding quality of match between horse and rider. The responses of approximately 2800 participants indicate a high interest in the topic. All traits were considered relevant by at least 50% of the respondents. ‘Easy to bring to new environments’ was the trait indicated as relevant by the highest proportion (85%) of respondents, followed by ‘spirited and forward’ (84%) and ‘tolerant towards humans’ (80%). Respondents’ age as well as preferred equitation discipline was shown to have a profound influence on perception of relevance (P < 0.05). The results suggest a need for methods to objectively evaluate individual differences in behavioural traits to enable selection of horses to optimize horse–rider match.
M. Axel-Nilsson; Per Peetz Nielsen; E. K. Visser; S. Nyman; H. J. Blokhuis. Perceived relevance of selected behavioural traits in horses – A survey conducted in Sweden. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 2015, 65, 1 -10.
AMA StyleM. Axel-Nilsson, Per Peetz Nielsen, E. K. Visser, S. Nyman, H. J. Blokhuis. Perceived relevance of selected behavioural traits in horses – A survey conducted in Sweden. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science. 2015; 65 (1):1-10.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Axel-Nilsson; Per Peetz Nielsen; E. K. Visser; S. Nyman; H. J. Blokhuis. 2015. "Perceived relevance of selected behavioural traits in horses – A survey conducted in Sweden." Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science 65, no. 1: 1-10.
Bodil Højlund Nielsen; Alessandra Angelucci; Alessandra Scalvenzi; Björn Forkman; Francesca Fusi; Frank Tuyttens; Hans Houe; Harry Blokhuis; Jan Tind Sørensen; Janne Rothmann; Lindsay Matthews; Luc Mounier; Luigi Bertocchi; Richard Marie‐Madeleine; Matteo Donati; Nielsen Per Peetz; Romolo Salini; Sophie Graaf; Sophie Hild; Stefano Messori; Valentina Lorenzi; Xavier Boivin; Peter T. Thomsen. Use of animal based measures for the assessment of dairy cow welfare ANIBAM. EFSA Supporting Publications 2014, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleBodil Højlund Nielsen, Alessandra Angelucci, Alessandra Scalvenzi, Björn Forkman, Francesca Fusi, Frank Tuyttens, Hans Houe, Harry Blokhuis, Jan Tind Sørensen, Janne Rothmann, Lindsay Matthews, Luc Mounier, Luigi Bertocchi, Richard Marie‐Madeleine, Matteo Donati, Nielsen Per Peetz, Romolo Salini, Sophie Graaf, Sophie Hild, Stefano Messori, Valentina Lorenzi, Xavier Boivin, Peter T. Thomsen. Use of animal based measures for the assessment of dairy cow welfare ANIBAM. EFSA Supporting Publications. 2014; 11 (9):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBodil Højlund Nielsen; Alessandra Angelucci; Alessandra Scalvenzi; Björn Forkman; Francesca Fusi; Frank Tuyttens; Hans Houe; Harry Blokhuis; Jan Tind Sørensen; Janne Rothmann; Lindsay Matthews; Luc Mounier; Luigi Bertocchi; Richard Marie‐Madeleine; Matteo Donati; Nielsen Per Peetz; Romolo Salini; Sophie Graaf; Sophie Hild; Stefano Messori; Valentina Lorenzi; Xavier Boivin; Peter T. Thomsen. 2014. "Use of animal based measures for the assessment of dairy cow welfare ANIBAM." EFSA Supporting Publications 11, no. 9: 1.
Certification schemes that aim to provide an assurance on animal welfare have been developed in many countries but there is no internationally agreed mechanism for recognising the equivalence of animal welfare schemes. The lack of standardisation is a complication in international trade as the lack of clarity may impede demand for products from animals reared according to specified levels of welfare. An important first step is to define a credible best practice framework for animal welfare certification schemes that could apply in any country. Schemes may aim to provide assurance on minimum levels of welfare or may also aim to promote welfare improvement within their scheme membership. It is proposed here that certification schemes wishing to make animal welfare claims could adopt a scheme level continuous improvement approach, as already used in quality and environmental certification schemes, to promote improvement at a farm level. It is suggested that this can be achieved by using the following four generic principles. Firstly the scheme can operate a management system that co-ordinates scheme activities which actively promote improvement in animal welfare within participating farms. This management system should include the following generic steps: plan (establish the objectives including desired outcomes, scheme requirements and monitoring processes), do (implement scheme inspection systems and support structures), check (measure and monitor the process and results) and improve (take action to improve performance). Secondly the scheme should develop progressive resources and outcomes requirements that comply with relevant legislation, encourage the provision of opportunities valued by the animals, promote farm level continuous improvement in important welfare outcomes and require innovation not to compromise welfare goals. Thirdly the scheme should target its assessment and support resources on important welfare concerns. Activities should include assessment of relevant welfare requirements and outcomes, promoting interest amongst farmers in their management, ensuring technical advice is available and insisting on remedial action for those farmers with consistent poor outcomes. Finally by taking an evidence-based, participatory and transparent approach the scheme should also embrace external scrutiny and involvement.
D.C.J. Main; Siobhan Mullan; C. Atkinson; M. Cooper; J.H.M. Wrathall; Harry Blokhuis. Best practice framework for animal welfare certification schemes. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2014, 37, 127 -136.
AMA StyleD.C.J. Main, Siobhan Mullan, C. Atkinson, M. Cooper, J.H.M. Wrathall, Harry Blokhuis. Best practice framework for animal welfare certification schemes. Trends in Food Science & Technology. 2014; 37 (2):127-136.
Chicago/Turabian StyleD.C.J. Main; Siobhan Mullan; C. Atkinson; M. Cooper; J.H.M. Wrathall; Harry Blokhuis. 2014. "Best practice framework for animal welfare certification schemes." Trends in Food Science & Technology 37, no. 2: 127-136.
The objectives of this study were to 1) identify determinants of poor welfare in commercial broiler chicken flocks by studying the associations between selected resource-based measures (RBM, potential risk factors), such as litter quality and dark period, and animal-based welfare indicators (ABM), such as foot pad dermatitis and lameness, and 2) establish the breadth of effect of a risk factor by determining the range of animal welfare indicators associated with each of the risk factors (i.e., the number of ABM related to a specific RBM). Eighty-nine broiler flocks were inspected in 4 European countries (France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) in a cross-sectional study. The ABM were contact dermatitis (measured using scores of foot-pad dermatitis and hock burn, respectively), lameness (measured as gait score), fear of humans (measured by the avoidance distance test and the touch test), and negative emotional state (measured using qualitative behavior assessment, QBA). In a first step, risk factors were identified by building a multiple linear regression model for each ABM. Litter quality was identified as a risk factor for contact dermatitis. Length of dark period at 3 wk old (DARK3) was a risk factor for the touch test result. DARK3 and flock age were risk factors for lameness, and the number of different stockmen and DARK3 were risk factors for QBA results. Next, the ABM were grouped according to risk factor and counted. Then, in a second step, associations between the ABM were investigated using common factor analysis. The breadth of a risk factor’s effect was judged by combining the number (count) of ABM related to this factor and the strength of association between these ABM. Flock age and DARK3 appeared to affect several weakly correlated ABM, thus indicating a broad range of effects. Our findings suggest that manipulation of the predominant risk factors identified in this study (DARK3, litter quality, and slaughter age) could generate improvements in the related ABM and thereby enhance the birds’ overall welfare status.
A. W. Bassler; C. Arnould; Andrew Butterworth; L. Colin; Ingrid de Jong; Valentina Ferrante; P. Ferrari; S. Haslam; F. Wemelsfelder; Harry Blokhuis. Potential risk factors associated with contact dermatitis, lameness, negative emotional state, and fear of humans in broiler chicken flocks. Poultry Science 2013, 92, 2811 -2826.
AMA StyleA. W. Bassler, C. Arnould, Andrew Butterworth, L. Colin, Ingrid de Jong, Valentina Ferrante, P. Ferrari, S. Haslam, F. Wemelsfelder, Harry Blokhuis. Potential risk factors associated with contact dermatitis, lameness, negative emotional state, and fear of humans in broiler chicken flocks. Poultry Science. 2013; 92 (11):2811-2826.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. W. Bassler; C. Arnould; Andrew Butterworth; L. Colin; Ingrid de Jong; Valentina Ferrante; P. Ferrari; S. Haslam; F. Wemelsfelder; Harry Blokhuis. 2013. "Potential risk factors associated with contact dermatitis, lameness, negative emotional state, and fear of humans in broiler chicken flocks." Poultry Science 92, no. 11: 2811-2826.
There are strong suggestions that equine stereotypies are connected to poor welfare and a suboptimal management and/or stabling environment. Different forms of equine stereotypic behaviors have been described. Crib biting, weaving, and box walking are considered the most prevalent. Several studies have been conducted to establish links between the underlying causes and potential function of such behaviors. Both experimental and epidemiological studies have indicated management factors specifically feeding practices, housing conditions, and weaning method as crucial in the development of stereotypies in stabled horses. Some neurological studies on equine stereotypy demonstrated some forms of central nervous system dysfunction as being associated with the performance of stereotypic behaviors. Different researchers hypothesized that the functional significance of stereotypies is that they reduce stress in captive environments and should thus be considered as a coping mechanism. In contrast, the owner's perspective is often that a stereotypic horse has a “stable vice” that needs to be stopped, and different kinds of methods have been developed to control or regulate stereotypic behaviors. However, if the stress-reducing hypothesis is correct, controlling stereotypic behaviors particularly by physical and surgical approaches without addressing the underlying causes is of great concern to the horse's welfare. Although there is ongoing uncertainty about the exact function, the growing knowledge about causation should be applied: under all circumstances prevention is better than cure.
Amir Sarrafchi; Harry Blokhuis. Equine stereotypic behaviors: Causation, occurrence, and prevention. Journal of Veterinary Behavior 2013, 8, 386 -394.
AMA StyleAmir Sarrafchi, Harry Blokhuis. Equine stereotypic behaviors: Causation, occurrence, and prevention. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 2013; 8 (5):386-394.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAmir Sarrafchi; Harry Blokhuis. 2013. "Equine stereotypic behaviors: Causation, occurrence, and prevention." Journal of Veterinary Behavior 8, no. 5: 386-394.