The Use of Feeding Behaviour in the Assessment of Animal Welfare

Nielsen, Birte L.; Jong, I.C. de; Vries, Trevor J. De

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-27356-3_4

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 124 publications

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“…The linear tendency in the frequency of visits to the feeder showed that the greater the inclusion of molasses, the greater the number of times the animals tend to go to the feeder. The greater fractionation of intake throughout the day is desirable, as it is related to greater health and better welfare in animals ( Nielsen et al, 2016 ). This tendency can also be related to the rapid fermentation and production of fatty acids in the rumen promoted by sugars ( Martel et al 2011 ; Soder et al, 2011 ) contained in SBM, quickly increasing the osmotic pressure and concentration of fatty acids in the rumen, causing that animals reach “brain regulation of satiety” earlier, thus leading to greater fractionation of intake as a measure to prevent metabolic disorders ( Ginane et al, 2015 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soybean molasses to replace corn for feedlot lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Arruda

Almeida

Bertoco

et al. 2020

Translational Animal Science

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Soybean molasses (SBM) is a byproduct of the manufacture of soy protein concentrate and has high energy value. This byproduct has a high potential for use in the nutrition of ruminant animals, mainly in the replacement of other energy feeds such as corn grain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of SBM to replace corn grain up to 30% dry matter (DM) in the total diet on growth performance, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of feedlot lambs (½ Santa Inês × ½ Dorper). Forty intact male lambs with an initial average body weight of 20.6 ± 2.5 kg and approximate age of 120 d were used. The animals were distributed in four treatments (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% SBM), divided into five randomized blocks according to the initial weight and adapted for 16 d, with diets containing increasing concentrations of concentrate and SBM. Feeding behavior was analyzed at the beginning, middle, and final of the finishing period, and when animals reached 42 d on the finishing diet they were slaughtered. Data were evaluated using SAS software (version 9.4), by polynomial orthogonal contrasts, where the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality values were analyzed as randomized blocks, and the feeding behavior data as randomized blocks with a repeated measure over time. Significant differences were detected for the contrast 0 vs. SBM treatments, which the inclusion of SBM caused an increase (P ≤ 0.05) in ash intake but decreased the ether extract intake. The intake of DM in % body weight was higher for SBM treatments than 0% treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Feeding behavior, ruminating while lying down and drinking water presented a decreasing linear effect (P ≤ 0.05), and for feeding, efficiency increased with the addition of SBM (P ≤ 0.05). Fatty acids C14:0, C17:0, C17:1, C18:2n6c, C20:2, and C20:3n6 showed lower values with the inclusion of SBM (P ≤ 0.05), while fatty acids C22:0 and C22:6n3 increased. The values of n6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for SBM treatments. The values of total polyunsaturated fatty acids showed a decreasing linear effect (P ≤ 0.05) with the inclusion of SBM. The use of up to 30% SBM in DM did not impair animal growth performance and feeding behavior did not cause damages to carcass parameters and still made the meat healthier, improving the n-6/n-3 ratio, therefore can be used to feed finishing lambs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soybean molasses to replace corn for feedlot lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Arruda

Almeida

Bertoco

et al. 2020

Translational Animal Science

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“…Another typical trait characterizing the natural feeding behavior of cattle is synchronization ( 8 , 48 ). In housed cattle, the strong desire of the animals to access the manger as a group may lead to feed competition with negative health effects for individual animals ( 49 ). Feed competition may reduce the average meal duration of cattle and dominant animals with ad libitum access to feed may eat a larger amount of dry matter than subordinate individuals ( 50 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Large Group Housing Systems in Fattening Bulls—Comparison of Behavior and Performance

et al. 2020

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According to international housing recommendations, fattening bulls should not be housed in groups of more than 12–20 animals. However, there are no scientific studies supporting these recommendations as most studies on fattening cattle refer to smaller groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze and compare behavior and performance of 187 fattening bulls housed in different group sizes of 16, 22, and 33 animals. Behavioral observations were performed during three observation periods at an average age of 8.5, 13, and 17 months. Furthermore, body condition, health status and carcass weights were analyzed. Effects of increasing group size were observed regarding more synchronized lying behavior, longer lying durations and more undisturbed feeding and lying behavior. Interindividual variations in lying and feeding as well as mean and maximum percentages of animals participating simultaneously in interactions did not increase with group size. Health and growth performance were satisfactory in all group sizes. Therefore, the results of this study do not provide scientific evidence for the common argument that increasing group size leads to increased aggression. Furthermore, these findings indicate large group systems to be suitable for the housing of fattening cattle and to contribute to increasing animal welfare. Consequently, current recommendations should be revised.

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“…A shorter-term measure of feeding was required for our protocol; consequently, the number of troughs, the amount of feed available and cleanliness of feed troughs were included. The reviewed protocols do not include an animal-based measure to quantify feed intake; therefore, we developed a measure described as Feed Behaviour Score, because feeding behaviour is particularly important as it is informative about the immediate level of hunger, social competition for feed [41], and appetitive response to climatic challenges [42][43][44]. The Welfare Quality ® protocol contains additional measures for water provision, including water availability and cleanliness.…”

Section: Good Feedingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing an Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Livestock Transported by Sea

Dunston-Clarke

Willis

Fleming

et al. 2020

Animals

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Australian livestock industries face increased scrutiny from animal welfare groups and society, and the long-distance transport of livestock by sea has recently gained particular attention. Other than non-compliance with broad regulatory standards and voyage mortality rates, there is minimal information to ascertain the welfare of exported livestock. There is currently no standardised, validated animal welfare assessment protocol for livestock on-farm prior to live export or when undergoing transport. This study describes a novel assessment protocol suitable for use on live feeder and slaughter animals exported by sea from Australia. Health and welfare indicators for use in the livestock export supply chain were identified by reviewing three internationally recognised animal welfare assessment protocols for livestock; Welfare Quality®, AWIN and AssureWel, as well as consulting with industry compliance standards and guidelines. This paper proposes a welfare protocol designed to assess sheep and beef cattle exported by sea from Australia, and incorporates environmental-, resource-, management- and animal-based measures. In collaboration with industry, this welfare protocol can be tested on commercial livestock consignments, and be used for ongoing management, for increased transparency and to provide feedback to operators for continuous improvement.

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The Use of Feeding Behaviour in the Assessment of Animal Welfare

Cited by 14 publications

References 124 publications

Soybean molasses to replace corn for feedlot lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Soybean molasses to replace corn for feedlot lambs on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality

Large Group Housing Systems in Fattening Bulls—Comparison of Behavior and Performance

Developing an Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Livestock Transported by Sea

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