This study aimed to identify organic dairy major farm types (MFTs) in seven European countries, describe these MFTs in an open research database and assess central characteristics of the MFTs. This was conducted in a three-step procedure including (1) Identification of organic MFTs in seven European countries:
ABSTRACT:In the same room of an experimental rabbit house 2 housing systems were compared, namely three pens to keep rabbits on bedding and six wire cages for unbedded rabbit keeping. In total, 69 New Zealand White crossbred rabbits 8-12 wk old were used in the study. The rabbits were kept in groups with 0.6 m 2 fl oor area per animal in pens with thinly scattered straw. Wire cages had no bedding and there were 4 rabbits in each cage and 0.4 m 2 fl oor area per rabbit. The study lasted for 8 wk. Rabbit behaviour was observed once 1 wk for 24 h. Behaviour was recorded using a scan sampling every hour. Results were analysed by calculating the percentage frequency of each behaviour. Behaviour analysis according to the keeping method indicated that rabbits kept on bedding spent on average less time resting and grooming (41.53 % and 5.18 % vs. 53.60 % and 8.48 %) and more time eating (29.86 % vs. 18.03 %, respectively) in comparison with those kept in wire cages. There was a statistically signifi cant positive correlation between environmental temperature, illumination, ammonia and carbon dioxide gas concentrations and activity of rabbits.
ABSTRACT:The aim was to determine the conversion of alimentary substances of laying hens (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) into the production of eggs and to determine the emission of nitrogen, air pollution by dust and microorganisms in accordance with different technologies of layer rearing. The studies were conducted in 6 poultry houses. The birds were kept in premises in cage batteries BKN-3, "Spech", OBN-1, OBN-3 or on littered floor. It was found out that there was 1.6 times more dust in the air of poultry house where laying hens were kept on litter and the total number of bacteria was 2.4 times higher than in the bird cages (P < 0.001). The laying hens assimilated 21.95-28.42% of nitrogen, 19.63-31.25% of phosphorus, 6.04-8.33% of potassium for egg production and weight gains when feed is balanced. If cage technologies are applied, over a year, there is a loss of 6.7 ± 1.4% of nitrogen through the excrements because of nitrogen emission. When the technologies of littered floor are used, there is a loss of 18.5 ± 4.8% of nitrogen extricated with the excrements (P < 0.025). When the birds were kept in cages, 0.059 ± 0.011 kg of nitrogen per each bird evaporated because of ammonia emission, while in the case of littered floor -0.227 ± 0.126 kg of nitrogen.
This study aimed at comparing the behaviour of growing bulls from two different breeds – Lithuanian black and white (dairy cattle breed, n=22) and Aubrac (beef cattle breed, n=17). The hypothesis tested in this study was that breed differences would result in differences in the behaviour of the bulls and that a clear understanding of such differences could lead to improved husbandry to meet their needs. Animals were raised in insulated barn in pens with deep litter, both breeds under similar conditions (animals were 11 to 14 month old, each group in separate 100 m2 pen). Aubrac bulls spent more time in standing, ruminating, drinking and aggressive behaviour and less time in eating than the Lithuanian black and white bulls. There were no significant differences in lying and moving behaviour. These differences possibly related to different breed of animals, and should inform decision making about the management of the two breeds studied.
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