A comparative study was performed to evaluate differences in milk yield between an automatic milking system (AMS) and a conventional herringbone milking parlor system. Two herds of Italian-Friesian cows were reared in the same barn, located in the Po Valley in northern Italy. Twenty-five primiparous cows and 10 multiparous cows were milked with an AMS, while at the same time 29 primiparous and 9 multiparous were milked twice daily in a milking parlor on the other side of the barn. A selection gate allowed cows to access the AMS only if the interval from last milking was >5 h. Multiparous cows in the AMS yielded more milk than multiparous cows in the milking parlor (34.2 +/- 0.7 vs. 29.4 +/- 0.6 kg/d). There was no difference in milk yield between primiparous cows in the AMS and in the milking parlor (28.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 28.8 +/- 0.3 kg/d). Milking frequency in the AMS was significantly higher in primiparous (2.8 +/- 0.03) than in multiparous cows (2.5 +/- 0.04). The hot season negatively affected milk yield; the milk yield reduction was higher for cows milked with the AMS (-4.5 +/- 0.6 kg/d) than in the milking parlor (-3.0 +/- 0.8 kg/d). In the AMS, milking frequency decreased during the hot season in primiparous cows (-0.3 +/- 0.1). We concluded that a positive AMS effect on milk yield is possible, but that steps must be taken to alleviate the discomfort involved with attracting cows to the AMS.

The purpose of the research was to study the effects of high and low stocking density of broiler chickens, different types of litter and the adoption of short and long lighting regimen on broiler welfare through the evaluation of their productivity and incidence of foot pad dermatitis. 2,400 male Ross 508 were divided into 8 groups of four replicates each and reared in 32 pens according to a 3 factors experimental design of two levels each: low (LD) or high (HD) stocking density (11 and 14 birds/m2 for LD and HD respectively), chopped straw (CS) or wood shaving (WS) litters and short (SL) or long (LL) light regimens (16 h light and 8 h dark or 23 h light and 1 h dark respectively for SL and LL). Broiler growth rate and feed efficiency were positively influenced by a stocking density lower than 30 kg of live weight per m2. The adoption of a short light regimen reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion rate without modifying body live weight. Chickens reared on wood shaving litter showed a lower incidence of foot pad dermatitis.

Previous research has shown that the transect walks (TW) method provide a practical and effective approach to welfare assessment in broiler and turke

Heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, plasma corticosterone and tonic immobility test, plumage and leg score (Food Pad Dermatitis, FPD) are frequently used as indicators of welfare in chickens. Three traditional Italian chicken breeds (60 birds/group) were studied: Valdarnese Bianca (VB), Bionda Piemontese (BP) and Robusta Maculata (RM). At 80 days of age, reactivity was tested through Tonic Immobility (TI) and plumage and leg score tests. Immediately after phenotypical and behavioural tests, the blood samples were collected from the ulnar vein of chickens. TI duration was not significant among the breeds (VB 72.2 ± 8.3 s; BP 95.2 ± 9.0 s; RM 76.5 ± 8.6 s; mean ± SEM). RM and BP needed a mean number of induction significantly higher than VB (RM = 1.84 ± 0.1; BP = 1.96 ± 0.1; VB = 1.38 ± 0.1; p < 0.0001). The highest corticosterone mean concentration (3.4 ± 0.23 ng/mL) was found in the VB breed, whereas the lowest (1.71 ± 0.21 ng/mL) was found in BP birds. The heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the VB breed (0.86 ± 0.03) than BP (0.78 ± 0.02) and RM (0.75 ± 0.03). In all birds neither plumage damages nor FPD were found. In conclusion, the three breeds showed the typical reactivity of rural breeds adapted to alternative and organic rearing systems; the anti-predatory response, the plasma corticosterone concentration and the H/L ratio could be considered a positive adaptation indicator.

The application of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) represents a substantial innovation in dairy cattle. The introduction of this new technology puts some questions about cow management. A correct and regular flow of animals through the milking unit appears fundamental to improve efficiency of AMS, animal welfare and performances

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of three different housing systems for laying hens (cages, barn and organic) on layer performances, eggshell characteristics and bone strength. In each system, the same strain of laying hens (Hyline Brown?) was housed in agreement with current European regulation and the hens were fed on the same level of nutrition (2800 ME). The study was conducted over one year period in three typical farms in the north of Italy, from the 18th to the 70th weeks of layers age. The number of eggs collected and laid on the floor were recorded weekly, as well as the mortality and the feed consumption. At 27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks of layers age, the weight and the shell characteristics of eggs from the different systems were analysed. Bone breaking strength and stiffness were determined by three point bending test. The percentage of deposition was generally higher in comparison to the standard production of Hyline hens, probably, due to a high management standard and to the production persistence. The results indicated a clear relationship between the percentage of cracked eggs and the strength characteristics of the shells, with organic eggs showing the highest shell thickness, the most resistant shell and consistently the less cracked eggs. Considering the changes that occur during the laying cycle, shell strength and thickness in non-cage eggs were highly affected by hen age, while they were much stable in cage eggs. Organic hens also showed the strongest humerous, while their tibiotarsus were as robust as those of cage hens.