Electric shock control of farmed animals: Welfare review and ethical critique

Grumett, David; Butterworth, A

doi:10.7120/09627286.31.4.006

Cited by 9 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 98 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…Contrafreeloading of this magnitude for a high-concentrate ration is unprecedented and is particularly striking because it was observed despite an aversive stimulus and high average AUC values. Considering that cattle exhibit avoidance behavior when 6,000 µA is applied to the rump ( Whittlestone et al, 1975 ) and aversion to electrical current is well documented in cattle (e.g., Pajor et al., 2000 ; reviewed by Grumett and Butterworth, 2022 ), it is compelling that TMR animals willingly touched up to 2,500 µA to contrafreeload.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cattle are more motivated for a high-concentrate diet than Sudan grass hay, despite low reticulorumen pH

Coon,

Tucker

2024

Journal of Animal Science

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Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is characterized by chronic low ruminal pH, occurs for feedlot cattle fed high-concentrate diets. Forages slow digestion and reduce acid production. We aimed to assess how motivated finishing cattle are to access forage (Sudan grass hay, SG) via their willingness to interact with an electrified barrier. Reticulorumen pH was measured to relate the results with digestive health. Twenty-eight animals fed a high-concentrate ration ad-libitum had access to 4 L of one of two treatments (n=14/treatment) fed 1x/d behind a barrier: 1) SG, or 2) an additional offering of the normal ration (TMR). To access a treatment, the steer voluntarily pushed his muzzle against an electrified barrier. The electrical current was increased exponentially every 24 h (0, 156, 312, 625, 1250, 2500, 5000 µA) until the animal ceased accessing it. Visits to the treatment were recorded continuously 24 h/d and reticulorumen pH was measured every 10 min. Rumen pH averaged 3.0±1.2 h/d for SG animals and 2.3±0.9 h/d for TMR animals, durations which meet the criterion for SARA. However, animals with access to SG were less likely to advance to the next current than TMR animals (P<0.01) and were approximately 3x less willing to interact with higher currents than TMR (mean maximum current touched: 469±169 and 1380±254 µA, respectively, mean±SE, P=0.01). Lower motivation to access SG was further demonstrated through fewer visits to the SG (2.4±0.4 vs 5.3±0.6 #/d, P<0.01), and less SG consumed than TMR (32.0±0.1 vs 74.0±0.0 %/d, P<0.01, measured as % due to weight differences of SG and TMR). Overall, finishing cattle valued the TMR more than SG, likely because of differences in the quantity offered, palatability, and familiarity. When rumen health was considered, SG animals visited more often (r=0.5, P=0.09) and showed fewer failed attempts (r=-0.5, P=0.06) to access forage as the severity and duration of pH depression below 5.6, for example, increased. No measures of treatment use were related to pH depression for TMR animals (P≥0.31). These findings provide evidence that cattle are motivated for Sudan grass hay when experiencing chronic low reticulorumen pH. However, they also contribute to the mixed evidence about motivation for forage in this life stage, because, overall TMR was valued more highly than SG. Despite widespread pH depression, TMR cattle contrafreeloaded for additional concentrate, demonstrating unexpectedly high motivation for this resource.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cattle are more motivated for a high-concentrate diet than Sudan grass hay, despite low reticulorumen pH

Coon,

Tucker

2024

Journal of Animal Science

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“…The use of electric wiring at various specific points within the facilities is an example of a stress-inducing interference. This device is used to prevent perching behavior on equipment, as well as on feeders and drinkers, to prevent nesting on the sides of the poultry houses, and to inhibit innate behaviors [ 48 ]. An electric current of sufficient magnitude, when passing through an organism, can cause adverse effects on an animal’s well-being, including painful sensations, suffering, injuries, or death.…”

Section: Physiology Of Fear and Aversion Vs Abnormal Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laying Hens: Why Smothering and Not Surviving?—A Literature Review

Mazocco,

de Castro Júnior,

Silveira

et al. 2024

Animals

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The proliferation of rearing systems providing opportunities for birds to engage in natural behaviors can trigger behavioral repertoires that when not manageable compromise animal welfare and the economic viability of the flock. Smothering in laying hens has long been perceived as “natural” or the result of hysteria among birds in the flock. However, the current literature has recognized smothering as an abnormal outcome with the potential to result in significant losses in cage-free poultry systems. Recent studies have specifically aimed to categorize the organization of smothering behavior and highlight its potential causes and consequences. In this study, literature review and bibliographic mapping, drawing on published articles and engagement with poultry farmers through extension and rural technical assistance, were employed. The findings indicate that smothering is a behavior triggered by factors related to the environment in which the laying hens are kept. This study concludes that there is a critical need for more rigorous and detailed research to elucidate the nuances of avian behavioral physiology and assess the impact of production systems on animal welfare and the economic impacts on the flock. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of bird behavior in high-production environments and provides practical insights for the poultry industry.

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Measuring motivation for alfalfa hay in feedlot cattle using voluntary interaction with an aversive stimulus

Coon,

Tucker

2024

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Electric shock control of farmed animals: Welfare review and ethical critique

Cited by 9 publications

References 98 publications

Cattle are more motivated for a high-concentrate diet than Sudan grass hay, despite low reticulorumen pH

Cattle are more motivated for a high-concentrate diet than Sudan grass hay, despite low reticulorumen pH

Laying Hens: Why Smothering and Not Surviving?—A Literature Review

Measuring motivation for alfalfa hay in feedlot cattle using voluntary interaction with an aversive stimulus

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