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Nicole Kemper
Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany

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Journal article
Published: 30 August 2021 in Animals
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The objective of the study was to evaluate behavioral observation procedures and tests to characterize sows’ behavior for their suitability for free farrowing systems. Nest building activity (NB), lying-down behavior (LDB), and position after lying down (PLD) were assessed. Four tests were designed to characterize the reaction of sows to a novel object and an unexpected situation (Towel Test, TT), behavior towards humans (Dummy Arm Test, DAT; Trough Cleaning Test, TCT), and behavior towards piglets (Reunion Test, RT). The study was performed on a nucleus farm in 37 batches including 771 purebred landrace sows housed in farrowing pens with short-term fixation. The assessment of NB started 2 days before the expected date of the farrowing. In 56.2% of the observations, the sows showed increased chewing activity on gunnysacks. The LDB and PLD were assessed on days 3 and 19 post partum (p.p.). In 49.1% of the observations, sows showed careful lying-down behavior. In 50.1% of cases, sows preferred the stomach-teats-position when lying down. With the DAT on day 4 p.p., in 89.3% of observations, no or only slight reactions of the sow were documented. The TT and TCT were performed on days 3 and 10 p.p. Strong defensive reactions of animals towards humans were recorded in 4.5% of the observations in the TT, and in 4.0% of the observations in the TCT. In the RT on day 3 p.p., in 61.8%, a joyful response of the sows to the reunion with their piglets was observed. This study showed that the behavioral observation procedures and designed tests are suitable to characterize sows’ behavior towards humans and piglets with regard to traits that are particularly important in systems without fixation.

ACS Style

Julia Neu; Nina Göres; Jelena Kecman; Barbara Voß; Frank Rosner; Hermann H. Swalve; Nicole Kemper. Behavioral Observation Procedures and Tests to Characterize the Suitability of Sows for Loose-Housed Farrowing Systems. Animals 2021, 11, 2547 .

AMA Style

Julia Neu, Nina Göres, Jelena Kecman, Barbara Voß, Frank Rosner, Hermann H. Swalve, Nicole Kemper. Behavioral Observation Procedures and Tests to Characterize the Suitability of Sows for Loose-Housed Farrowing Systems. Animals. 2021; 11 (9):2547.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Julia Neu; Nina Göres; Jelena Kecman; Barbara Voß; Frank Rosner; Hermann H. Swalve; Nicole Kemper. 2021. "Behavioral Observation Procedures and Tests to Characterize the Suitability of Sows for Loose-Housed Farrowing Systems." Animals 11, no. 9: 2547.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2021 in Journal of Dairy Science
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Claw lesions are a serious problem on dairy farms, affecting both the health and welfare of the cow. Automated detection of lameness with a practical, on-farm application would support the early detection and treatment of lame cows, potentially reducing the number and severity of claw lesions. Therefore, in this study, a method was proposed for the detection of claw lesions based on the acoustic analysis of a cow's gait. A panel was constructed to measure the impact sound of animals walking over it. The recorded impact sound was edited, and 640 sound files from 64 cows were analyzed. The classification of animal-lameness status was performed using a machine-learning process with a random forest algorithm. The gold standard was a 2-point scale of hoof-trimming results (healthy vs. affected), and 38 properties of the recorded sound files were used as influencing factors. A prediction model for classifying the cow lameness was built using a random forest algorithm. This was validated by comparing the reference output from hoof-trimming with the model output concerning the impact sound. Altering the likelihood settings and changing the cutoff value to predict lame animals improved the prediction model. At a cutoff at 0.4, a decreased false-negative rate was generated, and the false-positive rate only increased slightly. This model obtained a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.97. With this procedure, Cohen's Kappa value of 0.80 showed good agreement between model classification and diagnoses from hoof-trimming. In summary, the prediction model enabled the detection of cows with claw lesions. This study shows that lameness can be detected by machine learning from the impact sound of hoofs in dairy cows.

ACS Style

N. Volkmann; B. Kulig; S. Hoppe; J. Stracke; O. Hensel; N. Kemper. On-farm detection of claw lesions in dairy cows based on acoustic analyses and machine learning. Journal of Dairy Science 2021, 104, 5921 -5931.

AMA Style

N. Volkmann, B. Kulig, S. Hoppe, J. Stracke, O. Hensel, N. Kemper. On-farm detection of claw lesions in dairy cows based on acoustic analyses and machine learning. Journal of Dairy Science. 2021; 104 (5):5921-5931.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Volkmann; B. Kulig; S. Hoppe; J. Stracke; O. Hensel; N. Kemper. 2021. "On-farm detection of claw lesions in dairy cows based on acoustic analyses and machine learning." Journal of Dairy Science 104, no. 5: 5921-5931.

Journal article
Published: 05 March 2021 in Animals
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A partially (50%) perforated flooring system showed positive effects on health- and behavior-based welfare indicators without affecting production performance. Ammonia (NH3) is the most common air pollutant in poultry production, with effects on animal welfare and the environment. The objectives of animal welfare and environmental protection are often incompatible. Therefore, this study addresses the question of how a partially perforated flooring system affects NH3 emissions. According to German regulations, three fattening periods were carried out with 500 Ross 308 broilers per barn (final stocking density: 39 kg m−2). The experimental barn was equipped with an elevated perforated area in the supply section, accessible by perforated ramps. The remaining area in the experimental barn and the control barn were equipped with wood shavings (600 g m−2). Besides the different floor types, management was identical. Air temperature (Temp), relative air humidity (RH), NH3 concentration, and ventilation rate (VR) were measured continuously. Furthermore, dry matter (DM) content, pH, and litter quality were assessed. Towards the end of the fattening periods, the NH3 emission rate (ER) of the partially perforated flooring system was higher compared with that of the littered control barn (all p < 0.001). This effect is mainly caused by the higher NH3 concentrations, which are promoted by the lack of compaction underneath the elevated perforated area and the increase in pH value under aerobic conditions. Nevertheless, the partially perforated flooring system offers different approaches for NH3 reduction that were previously not feasible, potentially contributing equally to animal welfare and environmental protection.

ACS Style

Carolin Adler; Alexander Schmithausen; Manfred Trimborn; Sophia Heitmann; Birgit Spindler; Inga Tiemann; Nicole Kemper; Wolfgang Büscher. Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? Animals 2021, 11, 707 .

AMA Style

Carolin Adler, Alexander Schmithausen, Manfred Trimborn, Sophia Heitmann, Birgit Spindler, Inga Tiemann, Nicole Kemper, Wolfgang Büscher. Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment? Animals. 2021; 11 (3):707.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carolin Adler; Alexander Schmithausen; Manfred Trimborn; Sophia Heitmann; Birgit Spindler; Inga Tiemann; Nicole Kemper; Wolfgang Büscher. 2021. "Effects of a Partially Perforated Flooring System on Ammonia Emissions in Broiler Housing—Conflict of Objectives between Animal Welfare and Environment?" Animals 11, no. 3: 707.

Journal article
Published: 03 January 2021 in Agriculture
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A Sow-Welfare-Optimized-Feeding (SWOF) system with group-adapted ad libitum liquid feeding was developed to ensure that both optimal nutritional and behavioral needs are met in group-housed pregnant sows. This system comprises functional areas and allows sows to have either a low- or high-energy diet according to their current weight in relation to their parity. This field study aimed to investigate how this new system influences sows’ body weight, health status (lameness), aggression parameters (integument injuries, vulva injuries, and displacements at the trough), feed intake rhythm, and litter performance. In parallel, these parameters were also recorded in the existing system (group-housed sows restrictively fed a dry diet). In the SWOF system, the probability of displacements at the trough and occurrence of vulva injuries were reduced, whereas sows could follow a natural biphasic feed intake rhythm. Though lameness scores and litter performance were not affected, lower body weights and more integument injuries were, however, observed. Yet, results can only partially be attributed to the feeding system per se due to confounding effects such as management practices and group size differences (larger dynamic group vs. stable group). Hence, the SWOF system seems promising with regard to animal welfare but remains to be further validated.

ACS Style

Eva Angermann; Camille Raoult; Monika Wensch-Dorendorf; Stephanie Frenking; Nicole Kemper; Eberhard Borell. Development of a Group-Adapted Housing System for Pregnant Sows: A Field Study on Performance and Welfare Aspects. Agriculture 2021, 11, 28 .

AMA Style

Eva Angermann, Camille Raoult, Monika Wensch-Dorendorf, Stephanie Frenking, Nicole Kemper, Eberhard Borell. Development of a Group-Adapted Housing System for Pregnant Sows: A Field Study on Performance and Welfare Aspects. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (1):28.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Eva Angermann; Camille Raoult; Monika Wensch-Dorendorf; Stephanie Frenking; Nicole Kemper; Eberhard Borell. 2021. "Development of a Group-Adapted Housing System for Pregnant Sows: A Field Study on Performance and Welfare Aspects." Agriculture 11, no. 1: 28.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2020 in Agriculture
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The available floor space is an important welfare factor for cull sows during transportation. Sows of modern genetics reach a size and weight far exceeding those of fattening pigs. In most countries, there are no binding, consistent regulations for the maximum loading densities, especially for sows during road transportation. As a first step towards such recommendations, the physical floor space requirement (static space) of 100 sows of a current breed, while standing and lying down, were determined using contrast-based planimetry. An average sow covered about 0.42–0.47 m2 (standing postures) up to 0.53–0.63 m2 (lying postures). The largest measured area was 0.72 m2 for a sow lying in the belly-chest position. We detected a significant dependency of the covered floor area and the live weight, which supports the common practice to derive space requirements and recommendations based on live weight. Also, our results suggest that especially heavy sows, under currently usual loading densities, are at risk of having insufficient floor space requirements during transport. The results cannot be used to define the space required by a sow to carry out movements or sustain the individual need for distance (social/dynamic space) but provide data on the static space covered by sows of current breeds.

ACS Style

Heidi Arndt; Birgit Spindler; Stephanie Hohmeier; Jörg Hartung; Nicole Kemper. Planimetric Determination of the Static Space of Cull Sows as the First Step towards a Recommendation of Loading Densities for Cull Sows during Road Transportation in the European Union. Agriculture 2020, 11, 20 .

AMA Style

Heidi Arndt, Birgit Spindler, Stephanie Hohmeier, Jörg Hartung, Nicole Kemper. Planimetric Determination of the Static Space of Cull Sows as the First Step towards a Recommendation of Loading Densities for Cull Sows during Road Transportation in the European Union. Agriculture. 2020; 11 (1):20.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Heidi Arndt; Birgit Spindler; Stephanie Hohmeier; Jörg Hartung; Nicole Kemper. 2020. "Planimetric Determination of the Static Space of Cull Sows as the First Step towards a Recommendation of Loading Densities for Cull Sows during Road Transportation in the European Union." Agriculture 11, no. 1: 20.

Journal article
Published: 15 December 2020 in Agriculture
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The aim of this study was to analyse the behavioral aspects of suckling piglets after an intradermal vaccination method in comparison to an intramuscular vaccination applied on the seventh day of life. Possible effects on piglet welfare should be evaluated. Under field conditions, 135 suckling piglets from 12 litters were vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae—64 of those intradermally and 71 intramuscularly, from six litters each. For behavioral analyses, videos were recorded per pen, starting three days before the vaccination and ending three days after the vaccination. In the video analyses, the observation periods 6.00–10.00, 13.00–17.00, and 19.00–21.00 were analysed via scan sampling for the behaviors lying, standing, walking, suckling, and social contact. In the behavioral observations, in all piglets, the most frequent behavior was lying, followed by suckling at the sow’s teats. After vaccination, less lying behavior and more suckling behavior were assessed in intradermally vaccinated piglets compared to intramuscularly vaccinated piglets, which indicates that the piglets were not impaired by stress following vaccination. The results of this study showed that intradermal needle-free vaccination has clear advantages, as it caused fewer vaccination-associated behavior changes in suckling piglets than the intramuscular vaccination method with a needle.

ACS Style

Manuel Göller; Nicole Kemper; Michaela Fels. Evaluation of Behavioral Aspects after Intradermal and Intramuscular Vaccine Application in Suckling Piglets. Agriculture 2020, 10, 637 .

AMA Style

Manuel Göller, Nicole Kemper, Michaela Fels. Evaluation of Behavioral Aspects after Intradermal and Intramuscular Vaccine Application in Suckling Piglets. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (12):637.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Manuel Göller; Nicole Kemper; Michaela Fels. 2020. "Evaluation of Behavioral Aspects after Intradermal and Intramuscular Vaccine Application in Suckling Piglets." Agriculture 10, no. 12: 637.

Communication
Published: 21 November 2020 in Agriculture
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Abnormal behavior, such as tail biting, is a fundamental problem in pig husbandry worldwide, and the application of enrichment materials, particularly organic materials, is one of the most promising preventive and curative measures. However, the potential health risks posed by these materials, such as being an additional source of mycotoxins, have not been sufficiently studied to date. Therefore, 21 different organic enrichment materials were tested for mycotoxin contamination with a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry multi-mycotoxin method. Concerning the legally regulated mycotoxins in the EU, aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A were not detected in any of the tested materials. Fumonisin B2 was detected in straw meal made of wheat, rye, and triticale, but the level (0.014 mg/kg) was very low. The level of deoxynivalenol in maize pellets (5.01 mg/kg) and maize silage (2.12 mg/kg) exceeded the guidance value for pig feed. Zearalenone was present at high levels in maize pellets (1.21 mg/kg), hay (0.30 mg/kg), and maize silage (0.25 mg/kg). Maize products showed high levels of mycotoxins presenting a health risk for pigs and cannot be recommended as enrichment material.

ACS Style

Krista Tenbrink; Jochen Schulz; Nicole Kemper. Mycotoxin Contamination of Selected Organic Enrichment Materials Used in Pig Farming. Agriculture 2020, 10, 565 .

AMA Style

Krista Tenbrink, Jochen Schulz, Nicole Kemper. Mycotoxin Contamination of Selected Organic Enrichment Materials Used in Pig Farming. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (11):565.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Krista Tenbrink; Jochen Schulz; Nicole Kemper. 2020. "Mycotoxin Contamination of Selected Organic Enrichment Materials Used in Pig Farming." Agriculture 10, no. 11: 565.

Journal article
Published: 28 October 2020 in Sustainability
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This study identifies iceberg indicators for welfare assessment in sows and piglets to enhance feasibility and sustainability of available protocols. Indicators of the Welfare Quality® protocol and of a German protocol were collected over 65 farm visits to 13 farms in Germany between September 2016 and April 2018. Data were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). A hierarchical component model was built (animal welfare = higher-order, Welfare Quality® principles = lower-order components). In sows, welfare was revealed to be most influenced by the principles good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour (path coefficients = 0.77, 0.86, 0.91). High coefficients of determination R² indicated a large amount of explained variance (good housing R² = 0.59, good health R² = 0.75, appropriate behaviour R² = 0.83). Stereotypies was the indicator most valuable to assess sow welfare. Additionally, the final model included the indicators panting, shoulder sores, metritis, mortality and an indicator assessing stereotypies in resting animals (indicator reliabilities 0.54–0.88). However, the model did not include the indicators lameness and body condition, which may be due to the farm sample. Welfare of piglets was most explained by the indicators carpal joint lesions, mortality, sneezing and undersized animals (indicator reliabilities 0.48–0.86).

ACS Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. Iceberg Indicators for Sow and Piglet Welfare. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8967 .

AMA Style

Lena Friedrich, Joachim Krieter, Nicole Kemper, Irena Czycholl. Iceberg Indicators for Sow and Piglet Welfare. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (21):8967.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. 2020. "Iceberg Indicators for Sow and Piglet Welfare." Sustainability 12, no. 21: 8967.

Journal article
Published: 28 October 2020 in Agriculture
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We compare the Kuratorium für Technik und Bauwesen in der Landwirtschaft e.V. (KTBL) protocol, a German protocol for sows and piglets developed for farm’s self‐inspection, to the Welfare Quality® protocol for sows and piglets (WQ). The KTBL protocol introduces new indicators for piglets to be assessed at pen level (face lesions, carpal joint lesions, undersized animals). The reliability of their assessment at pen level was analysed by comparison to assessments at individual level. Both protocols were applied by one observer in 65 farm visits. The protocols are highly similar, although the composition varies (WQ protocol: focus on animal‐based, KTBL protocol: focus on management‐based indicators). Consequently, the WQ protocol detected more welfare issues (e.g., welfare issues related to appropriate behaviour: 62.9% (WQ) vs. 21.0% (KTBL protocol)). The comparison between pen and individual level of piglets’ indicators was determined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (RS), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and limits of agreement (LoA). Carpal joint lesions and undersized animals (RS 0.73/0.80 ICC 0.55/0.57 LoA −0.12 to 0.03/−0.01 to 0.01) are reliably assessed at pen level but face lesions (RS 0.19 ICC 0.18 LoA −0.42 to 0.03) are not. Concluding, we present advantages and disadvantages of the KTBL protocol and introduce indicators for piglets which may enhance existing protocols.

ACS Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. Animal Welfare Assessment in Sows and Piglets—Introduction of a New German Protocol for Farm’s Self-Inspection and of New Animal-Based Indicators for Piglets. Agriculture 2020, 10, 506 .

AMA Style

Lena Friedrich, Joachim Krieter, Nicole Kemper, Irena Czycholl. Animal Welfare Assessment in Sows and Piglets—Introduction of a New German Protocol for Farm’s Self-Inspection and of New Animal-Based Indicators for Piglets. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (11):506.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. 2020. "Animal Welfare Assessment in Sows and Piglets—Introduction of a New German Protocol for Farm’s Self-Inspection and of New Animal-Based Indicators for Piglets." Agriculture 10, no. 11: 506.

Originalartikel
Published: 20 October 2020 in Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere
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Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel Die Synchronisation des Liegens ist ein wichtiger Teil des natürlichen Rinderverhaltens. Die niedersächsische Tierschutzleitlinie für die Mastbullenhaltung fordert erstmals eine Liegefläche, deren Größe ein zeitgleiches Liegen aller Tiere ermöglicht. Allerdings wurde die Synchronisation des Liegens bei Mastbullen bisher kaum wissenschaftlich untersucht und es fehlen auch genaue Angaben zur Fläche, die Mastbullen zum Liegen benötigen. Ziel der Studie war daher zu untersuchen, inwiefern Mastbullen bei verschiedenen Platzangeboten synchron liegen und ob ein zeitgleiches Liegen aller Tiere pro Bucht stattfindet. Material und Methoden Analysiert wurde das Liegeverhalten von 41 Mastbullen mit einem Körpergewicht > 450 kg in teil- und vollgummierten Vollspaltenbuchten. Die Haltung der Bullen erfolgte in Gruppen von 6–8 Tieren in 3 Platzangebotsgruppen (A: 3,1–3,5 m2; B: 4,0–4,2 m2, C: 6,7 m2 pro Tier). Pro Gruppe wurden in je zwei Buchten die Liegezeiten aller Einzeltiere mittels Videoaufnahmen über 2 aufeinanderfolgende Hellphasen (insgesamt 17 Stunden) erfasst. Ergebnisse Während der beiden Hellphasen lagen die Mastbullen der verschiedenen Gruppen durchschnittlich 5 h 30 min bis 9 h 6 min. In je einer Bucht der Platzangebotsgruppen A und B trat zeitgleiches Liegen aller Tiere im Beobachtungszeitraum gar nicht auf und in den übrigen Buchten über 27 min bis 4 h. Mindestens 80 % der Tiere lagen in allen Buchten während 1 h 30 min bis 7 h 13 min. Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Relevanz Bei praxisüblichem Platzangebot zwischen 3,1 m2 und 4,2 m2 war im Beobachtungszeitraum in einzelnen Buchten kein zeitgleiches Liegen aller Tiere feststellbar. Phasen, in denen nur einzelne Tiere standen oder ein Tier aufstand und sich sofort darauf ein anderes Tier hinlegte, deuten darauf hin, dass die Tiere zu einer Synchronisation des Liegeverhaltens neigten, die Platzangebote von 3,1 m2 und 4,2 m2 aber kein zeitgleiches Liegen aller Tiere erlaubten. Die Ergebnisse betonen die Notwendigkeit weiterer Studien zum Liegeflächenbedarf von Mastbullen, um das Platzangebot zu definieren, das für das zeitgleiche Liegen aller Tiere benötigt wird.

ACS Style

Laura Schneider; Nina Volkmann; Birgit Spindler; Nicole Kemper. Synchronisation des Liegeverhaltens von Mastbullen bei verschiedenen Platzangeboten. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere 2020, 48, 310 -316.

AMA Style

Laura Schneider, Nina Volkmann, Birgit Spindler, Nicole Kemper. Synchronisation des Liegeverhaltens von Mastbullen bei verschiedenen Platzangeboten. Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere. 2020; 48 (5):310-316.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Schneider; Nina Volkmann; Birgit Spindler; Nicole Kemper. 2020. "Synchronisation des Liegeverhaltens von Mastbullen bei verschiedenen Platzangeboten." Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G: Großtiere / Nutztiere 48, no. 5: 310-316.

Journal article
Published: 14 September 2020 in Journal of Animal Science
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The present study’s aim was to test a German guideline for farm’s self-monitoring in sows and piglets for its feasibility as well as its interobserver and test–retest reliability. The study was performed between September 2016 and April 2018 on 13 farrowing farms in Northern Germany. Contrary to the guideline, the testing was not carried out by the farmers themselves but by 2 observers with experience in pigs representing common farmers. For the interobserver reliability study, the observers performed 20 joint farm visits independently assessing the same animals. For the test–retest reliability study, each farm was visited 5 times by 1 observer (day 0, day 3, week 7, month 5, month 10). Farm visit 1 (day 0) was used as reference and compared with the remaining farm visits. The reliability was evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (RS), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and limits of agreement (LoA). As results, the guideline’s feasibility was limited. The indicators’ reliability also presented divergent results: All indicators in piglets revealed acceptable to good interobserver reliability (RS 0.64 to 0.77 ICC 0.33 to 0.48 LoA between the intervals −0.02 to 0.13 and −0.02 to 0.00). Contrarily, interobserver reliability was low for indicators in sows (e.g., claw alterations: RS −0.41 ICC 0.00 LoA −0.97 to 0.68). Overall acceptable test–retest reliability could be assigned to all indicators although no exact agreement existed but only the pursuit of trends is indicated. On the basis of the present results, the guideline in its present form cannot be recommended for farms’ self-monitoring. Given the restricted applicability, it should be reconsidered whether it might not be more appropriate to use scientifically tested and generally accepted animal welfare assessment systems such as the Welfare Quality animal welfare assessment protocols, although their application is also time-consuming.

ACS Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. Feasibility and reliability of a German guideline for farm’s self-monitoring in sows and piglets. Journal of Animal Science 2020, 98, 1 .

AMA Style

Lena Friedrich, Joachim Krieter, Nicole Kemper, Irena Czycholl. Feasibility and reliability of a German guideline for farm’s self-monitoring in sows and piglets. Journal of Animal Science. 2020; 98 (10):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. 2020. "Feasibility and reliability of a German guideline for farm’s self-monitoring in sows and piglets." Journal of Animal Science 98, no. 10: 1.

Journal article
Published: 18 August 2020 in Journal of Animal Science
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Postparturient disorders in sows represent an economically important disease complex in modern piglet production worldwide. Possible findings affecting the mammary glands and/or the reproductive tract and the sow’s general condition are summarized as a syndrome consisting of a set of symptoms such as mastitis and/or metritis. The term postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) is most commonly used (Klopfenstein et al., 2006), but other names such as mastitis–metritis–agalactia (MMA) (Martin et al., 1967), agalactia toxemica (Ringarp, 1960), agalactia complex (Penny, 1970), agalactia postpartum (Hermannson et al., 1978), lactation failure (Elmore...

ACS Style

Nicole Kemper. Update on postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows. Journal of Animal Science 2020, 98, S117 -S125.

AMA Style

Nicole Kemper. Update on postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows. Journal of Animal Science. 2020; 98 (Supplement):S117-S125.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicole Kemper. 2020. "Update on postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows." Journal of Animal Science 98, no. Supplement: S117-S125.

Journal article
Published: 12 August 2020 in Porcine Health Management
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Background A Voluntary Human Approach Test (VHAT) was performed in pig pens, and relationships between environmental conditions and welfare indicators were investigated. Five variables were measured in 1668 pens in 214 fattening pig herds in Germany: time until the first contact (touching) between a pig and the person in the pen (TUFC), time until the observer was surrounded by pigs within a radius of approximately two meters, percentage of pigs relative to group size [%] surrounding the observer after 1 min (PPSO), percentage of pigs relative to group size [%] that completely avoided contact with the observer during the entire test period, and how the pigs contacted the observer (Score 0 [no touching] - 3 [biting]). Furthermore, variables indicative of the pigs’ environment (e.g., feeding system, ventilation system), management (e.g., number of usable drinkers, number of usable manipulatable materials), and welfare (e.g., tail lesions, ear lesions) were documented. Results Pigs engaging in more forceful means of contact (nibbling, biting) approached the observer faster than those exhibiting more gentle types of contact (touching). A lower TUFC was associated with more manipulatable materials present, a higher number of drinkers, and with the control position of the caretaker located inside the pen. Pigs kept in larger groups showed a lower TUFC than those in smaller groups (P = 0.0191). However, PPSO was lower in pigs kept in smaller groups (1–12 pigs per pen) with more manipulatable materials available. In groups with low PPSOs, more tail lesions were observed (P = 0.0296). No relationship between contact type and tail or ear injuries was detected. In younger pigs, PPSO was higher (49.9 ± 23.2%) than for animals in the second half of the fattening period (45.1 ± 19.9%). Conclusions In this on-farm study, the relationships between VHAT behavior and environmental factors revealed that external factors (e.g., management practices, housing conditions) impact animals’ responses to this behavioral test. Therefore, using the VHAT as an animal welfare indicator is valid only if these variables are studied as well.

ACS Style

Birte Wegner; Ines Spiekermeier; Hendrik Nienhoff; Julia Große-Kleimann; Karl Rohn; Henning Meyer; Heiko Plate; Hubert Gerhardy; Lothar Kreienbrock; Elisabeth Grosse Beilage; Nicole Kemper. Application of the voluntary human approach test on commercial pig fattening farms: a meaningful tool? Porcine Health Management 2020, 6, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Birte Wegner, Ines Spiekermeier, Hendrik Nienhoff, Julia Große-Kleimann, Karl Rohn, Henning Meyer, Heiko Plate, Hubert Gerhardy, Lothar Kreienbrock, Elisabeth Grosse Beilage, Nicole Kemper. Application of the voluntary human approach test on commercial pig fattening farms: a meaningful tool? Porcine Health Management. 2020; 6 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Birte Wegner; Ines Spiekermeier; Hendrik Nienhoff; Julia Große-Kleimann; Karl Rohn; Henning Meyer; Heiko Plate; Hubert Gerhardy; Lothar Kreienbrock; Elisabeth Grosse Beilage; Nicole Kemper. 2020. "Application of the voluntary human approach test on commercial pig fattening farms: a meaningful tool?" Porcine Health Management 6, no. 1: 1-13.

Journal article
Published: 26 June 2020 in Animals
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Natural light with ultraviolet spectrum (UV) influences the birds´ perception, the reflectivity of their plumage and affects bird behavior. Therefore, in Germany, laying hens kept in barns should be provided with daylight inlets. Nevertheless, lighting in laying hen houses with a UV proportion is not common practice and little is known about the detailed effects of UV-A lighting during the entire rearing and production period. The present on-farm study examines the impact of light quality on plumage loss, skin injuries and production parameters of laying hens. Therefore, about 92,000 Lohmann Brown hens with untrimmed beaks were kept on a farm in two different groups. Half of them were housed in a barn containing 10 pens illuminated by additional UV-A light (simulate “daylight spectrum”). The other half in the second barn were equally grouped, but exposed to standard lighting for poultry houses. Health, production parameters and plumage condition were monitored during rearing and production. The study results reveal that additional UV-A light is associated with the occurrence of plumage damage and cannibalistic injuries during production. In all groups, the plumage condition of the hens was intact when the hens started laying and declined with age. Therefore, complex interactions alongside UV illumination, environmental enrichment, feed and feeding strategies as well as other management factors that possibly affected both feather damage and skin injuries must also be taken into account.

ACS Style

Birgit Spindler; Tammo Weseloh; Christina Eßer³; Sarah Katharina Freytag; Lea Klambeck; Nicole Kemper; Robby Andersson. The Effects of UV-A Light Provided in Addition to Standard Lighting on Plumage Condition in Laying Hens. Animals 2020, 10, 1106 .

AMA Style

Birgit Spindler, Tammo Weseloh, Christina Eßer³, Sarah Katharina Freytag, Lea Klambeck, Nicole Kemper, Robby Andersson. The Effects of UV-A Light Provided in Addition to Standard Lighting on Plumage Condition in Laying Hens. Animals. 2020; 10 (6):1106.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Birgit Spindler; Tammo Weseloh; Christina Eßer³; Sarah Katharina Freytag; Lea Klambeck; Nicole Kemper; Robby Andersson. 2020. "The Effects of UV-A Light Provided in Addition to Standard Lighting on Plumage Condition in Laying Hens." Animals 10, no. 6: 1106.

Journal article
Published: 23 March 2020 in Agriculture
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Poor drinking water quality can affect pigs’ health and performance. The disinfection of water may enhance microbial water quality. In this study, bacteria and endotoxins in sodium hypochlorite-treated and -untreated water from one pig nursery were analyzed. Water samples were taken from incoming water and from compartments with treated and untreated water at the beginning and end of pipes and from nipples. The farm was visited 14 times to measure total bacteria counts and concentrations of Pseudomonas spp. and endotoxins. Additionally, the occurrence of coliform bacteria was analyzed. A mixed model analysis revealed significant reductions in total bacteria counts and Pseudomonas spp. in treated water at the beginning of pipes and at nipple drinkers. The differences between bacteria concentrations at the end of pipes had no clear trend. Endotoxin concentrations were approximately equal at the beginning of pipes and at nipple drinkers but were found to have differences at the end of pipes. The occurrence of coliform bacteria was significantly reduced in treated water. The application of sodium hypochlorite can significantly reduce bacteria in water pipes. Endotoxin concentrations were mostly unaffected by water treatment. Disinfection of the dead-end pipe sections failed, and thus these parts should be regarded as potential contamination sources.

ACS Style

Regina Böger; Karl Rohn; Nicole Kemper; Jochen Schulz. Sodium Hypochlorite Treatment: The Impact on Bacteria and Endotoxin Concentrations in Drinking Water Pipes of A Pig Nursery. Agriculture 2020, 10, 86 .

AMA Style

Regina Böger, Karl Rohn, Nicole Kemper, Jochen Schulz. Sodium Hypochlorite Treatment: The Impact on Bacteria and Endotoxin Concentrations in Drinking Water Pipes of A Pig Nursery. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (3):86.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Regina Böger; Karl Rohn; Nicole Kemper; Jochen Schulz. 2020. "Sodium Hypochlorite Treatment: The Impact on Bacteria and Endotoxin Concentrations in Drinking Water Pipes of A Pig Nursery." Agriculture 10, no. 3: 86.

Original article
Published: 23 January 2020 in Avian Pathology
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The assessment of bird-based welfare indicators plays an important role in the evaluation of bird welfare. The aim of the study was to histologically validate a visual scoring system for hock burn in broilers and to detect threshold values of a visual score to define welfare-relevant alterations in terms of mild lesions or ulcers of the hock. We collected 200 hocks of 39- to 42-day-old Ross 308 broilers after the slaughter process. Each hock was scored visually ("macro scores" 0-4) and evaluated histologically ("micro scores" 0-3), with high scores representing more severe lesions. Although we found a tendency for higher micro scores with increasing macro scores, an exact allocation of macro to micro scores was not possible. For example, macro score 1 could represent micro scores 1, 2 and 3, whereas macro scores 3 and 4 always represented micro score 3 (ulcer). The conditional probability of certain micro scores for given macro scores was estimated using a multinomial logistic regression model. Ulcer showed the highest probability at macro score 1, whereas mild lesions were not found to have an estimated highest probability at any macro score. The depth of inflammation of hock burn lesions increased with increasing macro scores up to macro score 3 with an average depth of 1019 µm. Visually more severe and deeper lesions were also histologically rated with higher scores. Thus, considering limitations, the herein validated macroscopic assessment scheme for hock burn allows an estimation of histological alterations in hocks of broilers.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Histological validation of a visual assessment scheme for hock burn in broilers.Tendency for higher micro scores with increasing macro scores.Estimation of histological score via macro score possible with limitations.Histological depth of inflammation increased with an increasing macro score.

ACS Style

H. Louton; A. Piller; S. Bergmann; M. Erhard; J. Stracke; B. Spindler; N. Kemper; P. Schmidt; B. Schade; B. Boehm; E. Kappe; J. Bachmeier; A. Schwarzer. Histologically validated scoring system for the assessment of hock burn in broilers. Avian Pathology 2020, 49, 230 -242.

AMA Style

H. Louton, A. Piller, S. Bergmann, M. Erhard, J. Stracke, B. Spindler, N. Kemper, P. Schmidt, B. Schade, B. Boehm, E. Kappe, J. Bachmeier, A. Schwarzer. Histologically validated scoring system for the assessment of hock burn in broilers. Avian Pathology. 2020; 49 (3):230-242.

Chicago/Turabian Style

H. Louton; A. Piller; S. Bergmann; M. Erhard; J. Stracke; B. Spindler; N. Kemper; P. Schmidt; B. Schade; B. Boehm; E. Kappe; J. Bachmeier; A. Schwarzer. 2020. "Histologically validated scoring system for the assessment of hock burn in broilers." Avian Pathology 49, no. 3: 230-242.

Communication
Published: 24 December 2019 in Animals
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The occurrence of stereotypies in captive animals may indicate restrictions in animal welfare. In cattle, common stereotypies are tongue playing, manipulation of objects, or conspecifics. However, to our knowledge, the occurrence of stereotypies in fattening cattle was only analyzed in studies several decades old. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence of stereotypies in fattening bulls housed in different systems. On three German fattening farms, a total of 243 fattening bulls housed in groups of 14, 16, 22, and 33 animals in straw-bedded pens were observed. Behavioral observations were performed via video recordings during three observation periods distributed over the whole fattening period, using a scan sampling technique. In 234 of 243 bulls, stereotypies were observed at least once. During 15.9 ± 2.4% of the scan intervals, stereotypies were observed in at least one animal per pen. Average numbers of stereotypies per animal and hour ranged from 0.2 to 0.9. The most common stereotypy was manipulating objects, followed by tongue playing and manipulating conspecifics. These results indicate that stereotypies are highly prevalent in fattening bulls under current housing conditions. They underline the need for further studies to analyze the causation of stereotypies in order to reduce their frequency.

ACS Style

Laura Schneider; Nicole Kemper; Birgit Spindler. Stereotypic Behavior in Fattening Bulls. Animals 2019, 10, 40 .

AMA Style

Laura Schneider, Nicole Kemper, Birgit Spindler. Stereotypic Behavior in Fattening Bulls. Animals. 2019; 10 (1):40.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Laura Schneider; Nicole Kemper; Birgit Spindler. 2019. "Stereotypic Behavior in Fattening Bulls." Animals 10, no. 1: 40.

Journal article
Published: 19 December 2019 in Animals
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Dual purpose chickens are one solution to the killing of male day-old chickens from the layer strains. However, modern laying hen husbandry faces further challenges, for instance, the frequent occurrence of injurious pecking. This behavior is seen as a sign of stress in the offending birds, it causes pain and damage in the victims, and thus impairs the health and welfare of the whole flock. In this study, the behavior of conventional laying hens and dual-purpose hens was evaluated comparatively by assessing the status of their feathers and skin over time. All hens were housed and managed under semi-commercial conditions. Severe feather loss and skin lesions due to injurious pecking only occurred in the conventional layer flocks. Therefore, keeping dual-purpose hens may also be an alternative approach to overcome damaging behaviors in laying hen husbandry. Dual-purpose strains, with hens housed for egg laying and roosters kept for meat production are one alternative to the killing of male day-old chickens. However, dual-purpose hens seem to have additional advantages compared to conventional layers, for instance, a lower tendency to develop behavioral disorders, such as feather pecking and cannibalism. In the present study, three batches of about 1850 conventional layers (Lohmann Brown plus, LB+) and 1850 dual-purpose hens (Lohmann Dual, LD) each, all of them with untrimmed beaks, were observed during production (20–71 (56) weeks of life) in a semi-commercial aviary system. The aim was to investigate whether the hybrid and batch affected the occurrence of injurious pecking, and to identify a detailed time course of the damage caused by this behavior. Therefore, the hens’ plumage and skin condition were assessed as an indicator by means of a visual scoring method. The LB+ hens had higher production performances and higher mortality rates compared to the LD hens. Plumage loss in the LB+ flocks started at 23 to 25 weeks of age, and deteriorated continuously. The LD hens showed only moderate feather loss on the head/neck region, which started at 34 to 41 weeks and remained almost constant until the end of the observations. Compared to feather loss, injuries occurred in the LB+ hens with a delay of several weeks, with a maximum of 8% to 12% of hens affected. In contrast, skin injuries were observed only sporadically in single LD hens. In all batches, hybrid had an effect on the occurrence of feather loss (p < 0.05). Within the LB+ strain, the proportions of hens affected by plumage loss and injuries differed among batches (p < 0.05), whereas this was not the case in the LD flocks. Thus, severe feather pecking and cannibalism seemed to occur in the conventional layer hybrids but not in the dual-purpose hens, though both genetic strains were raised and managed under the same semi-commercial conditions. Therefore, keeping dual-purpose hens should also be considered as an alternative approach to avoid injurious pecking in laying hen husbandry.

ACS Style

Mona Franziska Giersberg; Birgit Spindler; Bas Rodenburg; Nicole Kemper. The Dual-Purpose Hen as a Chance: Avoiding Injurious Pecking in Modern Laying Hen Husbandry. Animals 2019, 10, 16 .

AMA Style

Mona Franziska Giersberg, Birgit Spindler, Bas Rodenburg, Nicole Kemper. The Dual-Purpose Hen as a Chance: Avoiding Injurious Pecking in Modern Laying Hen Husbandry. Animals. 2019; 10 (1):16.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mona Franziska Giersberg; Birgit Spindler; Bas Rodenburg; Nicole Kemper. 2019. "The Dual-Purpose Hen as a Chance: Avoiding Injurious Pecking in Modern Laying Hen Husbandry." Animals 10, no. 1: 16.

Journal article
Published: 04 December 2019 in Agriculture
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The aim of the present study was to investigate a new housing system for fattening rabbits with two different flooring designs (F1 and F2) in accordance with new legal requirements in Germany (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps, elevated platform with 15% perforation), in comparison with an established system with wire mesh flooring (C). While F1 flooring was made of punched slatted plastic panels, F2 consisted of fixed single rods with a rounded surface. In six batches with F1 and C housing, and subsequently three batches with F2 housing, soiling of rabbits’ hind feet, pens, and cages as well as mortality rates were recorded. While pens and rabbits in F2 conditions were assessed as being cleaner than F1, neither reached the cleanliness of C rabbits and cages. Mortality was highest in F1 housing (18.1%) and comparable between F2 (10.3%) and C housing (11.7%). The present investigations showed different results in terms of soiling and mortality for different implementations of the German regulations. Nevertheless, both floors in accordance with these requirements revealed hygienic disadvantages compared to the established cages. Further research is necessary in order to keep rabbits under good hygienic conditions and in compliance with legal requirements.

ACS Style

Sally L. Rauterberg; Joana Bill; Sarah Kimm; Nicole Kemper; Michaela Fels. Evaluation of Two Different Flooring Designs for Rabbit Housing in Accordance with German Welfare Regulations: Soiling and Mortality. Agriculture 2019, 9, 257 .

AMA Style

Sally L. Rauterberg, Joana Bill, Sarah Kimm, Nicole Kemper, Michaela Fels. Evaluation of Two Different Flooring Designs for Rabbit Housing in Accordance with German Welfare Regulations: Soiling and Mortality. Agriculture. 2019; 9 (12):257.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sally L. Rauterberg; Joana Bill; Sarah Kimm; Nicole Kemper; Michaela Fels. 2019. "Evaluation of Two Different Flooring Designs for Rabbit Housing in Accordance with German Welfare Regulations: Soiling and Mortality." Agriculture 9, no. 12: 257.

Journal article
Published: 07 November 2019 in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
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The present study aimed at introducing a reliable and more feasible indicator to evaluate stereotypies in sows in comparison with the ‘Welfare Quality® animal welfare assessment protocol for sows and piglets’. Therefore, the indicators for the assessment of stereotypies of the Welfare Quality® protocol for sows and piglets as the gold standard (sham chewing, tongue rolling, teeth grinding, bar, drinker, trough biting and floor licking) were tested in relation to the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ in an on-farm study on farrowing farms. The analysis included the correlation between indicators, their interobserver agreement and test-retest reliability. Therefore, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (RS), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), smallest detectable change (SDC) and limits of agreement (LoA) were used. As results, the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ showed an acceptable correlation with the most observed indicator sham chewing (RS 0.42), which was in turn correlated to the indicator tongue rolling (RS 0.35). ‘Frothy saliva’ showed similar interobserver agreement as the indicators for the assessment of stereotypies, e.g. ‘frothy saliva’ (RS 0.90 ICC 0.93 SDC 0.16 LoA [-0.18;0.14]) and sham chewing (RS 0.96 ICC 0.94 SDC 0.11 LoA [-0.08;0.13]). Concerning its test-retest reliability, the results showed that the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ can be used to differentiate between farms (RS 0.61-0.87 ICC 0.74-0.91 SDC 0.20-0.35 LoA [-0.16;0.24]-[-0.46;0.25]), which matched the results of the indicators for the assessment of stereotypies, e.g. sham chewing (RS 0.81-0.93 ICC 0.80-0.91 SDC 0.16-0.23 LoA [-0.22;0.10]-[-0.24;0.21]). Sensitivity, specificity and regarding result parameters confirmed the usefulness of the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ on-farm (sensitivity 0.86, specificity 0.62, positive likelihood ratio 2.26, negative likelihood ratio 0.23). However, organic enrichment material can be a confounding factor. So does the currently still unknown relationship between ‘frothy saliva’ and non-stereotypic foraging or eating activities of sows.. Besides that, the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ proved to be as reliable as the indicators for the assessment of stereotypies and demonstrated higher feasibility. Hence, the use of the potential indicator ‘frothy saliva’ is recommended to assess stereotypies in sows. Thereby, it could contribute to an improvement of the Welfare Quality® protocol for sows and piglets.

ACS Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. Frothy saliva—A novel indicator to assess stereotypies in sows? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 2019, 222, 104897 .

AMA Style

Lena Friedrich, Joachim Krieter, Nicole Kemper, Irena Czycholl. Frothy saliva—A novel indicator to assess stereotypies in sows? Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 2019; 222 ():104897.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lena Friedrich; Joachim Krieter; Nicole Kemper; Irena Czycholl. 2019. "Frothy saliva—A novel indicator to assess stereotypies in sows?" Applied Animal Behaviour Science 222, no. : 104897.