The present work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a self-loading training using positive reinforcement on stress-related behaviors shown by meat horses during loading procedures into a truck. Thirty-two meat horses (M = 18; F = 14; 6 month-old) were included in the study. All horses had limited interactions with the farmer and were not used to be restrained nor lead by halter. Horses were divided in two groups: Control Group (C; N = 14) and Training Group (T; N = 18). T horses were trained to self-load: in order to teach the horses to enter into the truck, a targeting training technique throughout a shaping process was applied. Training sessions were performed three times a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., for 6 weeks; training was then repeated once a week to maintain the memory until the transport toward a slaughterhouse. The loading phase was video-recorded and loading time was directly recorded using a stopwatch. All horses were transported to the same slaughterhouse in 14 different days using the same truck. Behavior was subsequently analyzed with a focal animal continuous recording method. Loading time was shorter in T horses (mean ± SD = 44.44 ± 47.58 s) than in C horses (mean ± SD = 463.09 ± 918.19 s) (T-test; p = 0.019). T horses showed more forward locomotion toward the truck than C horses (T-test; p = 0.029). Our preliminary findings suggest that self-loading training may be useful to mitigate loading-related stress in meat horses, minimally socialized with humans.
Background Antimicrobial usage (AMU) in livestock plays a key role in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Analysis of AMU data in livestock is therefore relevant for both animal and public health. Objectives To assess AMU in 470 broiler and 252 turkey farms of one of Italy’s largest poultry companies, accounting for around 30% of national poultry production, to identify trends and risk factors for AMU. Methods Antimicrobial treatments administered to 5827 broiler and 1264 turkey grow-out cycles in 2015–17 were expressed as DDDs for animals per population correction unit (DDDvet/PCU). A retrospective analysis was conducted to examine the effect of geographical area, season and prescribing veterinarian on AMU. Management and structural interventions implemented by the company were also assessed. Results AMU showed a 71% reduction in broilers (from 14 to 4 DDDvet/PCU) and a 56% reduction in turkeys (from 41 to 18 DDDvet/PCU) during the study period. Quinolones, macrolides and polymyxins decreased from 33% to 6% of total AMU in broilers, and from 56% to 32% in turkeys. Broiler cycles during spring and winter showed significantly higher AMU, as well as those in densely populated poultry areas. Different antimicrobial prescribing behaviour was identified among veterinarians. Conclusions This study evidenced a decreasing trend in AMU and identified several correlates of AMU in broilers and turkeys. These factors will inform the design of interventions to further reduce AMU and therefore counteract antimicrobial resistance in these poultry sectors.
Purpose: Densely populated poultry areas (DPPA) and flaws in biosecurity measures at farm level has been identified as the main risk factors for the introduction and spread of avian influenza (AI) viruses among domestic poultry holdings. This study aimed at comparing changes in biosecurity measures at farm level over time and thus to identify those factors that are amenable to improvement.Methods & Materials: Eighty-three turkey farms in northeastern Italy were assessed via a standardized questionnaire in 2004 and, after 10 years, in 2014. The information collected concerned seven macro areas: personnel, animal species reared, cleaning and disinfection materials and procedures, removal of manure and dead birds, shed characteristics and outer environment. Each macro area relates to a different aspect of farm biosecurity, which served to score and rank the farms using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. The higher the score the lower was the level of biosecurity.To compare the biosecurity level over time, scores were standardized and then grouped into four classes defined by the quartiles. Farms that showed a change in the ranking were grouped in the 1 th (lowest score) and 4 th (highest score) quartiles, respectively. Whilst the farms which keep the same position or showed minimal variation in the ranking, were placed in the 2 nd and 3 rd quartiles.Results: The average score changed significantly, with a mean value of 1.28 (sd 0.44) and 1.13 (sd 0.33) in 2004 and 2014, respectively. In both the 1 st and 4 th class, a lower score associated with hygienic procedures was observed. Farms in the 2 nd and 3 rd class, showed a significant difference associated to shed characteristics and outer environment, with a higher average score in the 2 nd class. Conclusion:This study provides a baseline assessment of biosecurity practices on fattening turkey farms in Italy before the last intercontinental wave of highly pathogenic AI of the subtype H5N8 hit Europe in 2016/17. It is advised to upscale the current assessment system to an objective risk-based scoring tool for quantitatively evaluate biosecurity at farm level. This would help developing a better evidence base for biosecurity strategy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.