The short-term effects of increasing meal frequency on stereotypic behaviour of stabled horses

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2005 | No Comments

The incidence of stereotypic behaviours was investigated when the number of meals of concentrate was increased (while maintaining the same daily intake). Thirty horses that performed stereotypic behaviour were selected for this study. Their behaviour was recorded during their morning and afternoon concentrate feeds. The stereotypic behaviours were more commonly observed in the afternoon than morning, and appeared to be due to the lower availability of high fibre forage during the afternoon meal. In another component of this study, nine horses were fed their normal ration of concentrate divided between two, four and six equally sized meals. Their behaviour was compared with seven control horses, which received two meals per day. The results indicated that as the number of meals increased, there was a decrease in oral stereotypies, but weaving and nodding increased prior to feeding. The control horses increased weaving, nodding and oral stereotypies as their yard-mates received more meals. Overall, both treatment and control horses showed an increase in the incidence of stereotypies as the number of meals increased. The authors concluded that increasing meal frequency by dividing concentrate ration into a number of smaller meals might decrease oral stereotypies, but pre-feeding stereotypies might persist. Also, stereotypic behaviour may increase in horses receiving a lower frequency of meals, but have visual contact with horses that are receiving more meals per day.

Comparisons of molting diets on skeletal quality and eggshell parameters in hens at the end of the second egg-laying cycle

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In order to evaluate skeletal quality and eggshell parameters, a study was conducted on molted hens at the end of the second laying cycle. Sixty hens were allocated to two control and four molting treatments: full-fed control 1 (82 weeks old), full-fed control 2 (122 weeks old), feed withdrawal, 100 % alfalfa, 90 % alfalfa/10 % layer ration, and 70 % alfalfa/30 % layer ration. Hens were euthanized at the end of the second laying cycle by CO2. The femur and tibia were collected. There were no differences in bone parameters among the two control treatment hens, or among the different molting treatment hens. Egg weights were heavier but percentage shell and egg production were lower among ‘full-fed control 2’ birds compared with ‘full-fed control 1’ birds. The ‘feed-withdrawal’ hens and ’90 % alfalfa/10 % layer ration’ hens had heavier shell weights than the ‘100 % alfalfa’ hens. Overall bone parameters were found to be negatively correlated with eggshell parameters. Bone parameters were highly correlated with each other. Shell weight, percentage shell, and shell thickness were positively correlated with each other while egg weight was negatively correlated with percentage shell. Results of the study indicated that the age of the hens and molting dietary treatments influence egg parameters, and eggshell formation is closely related to bone metabolism in laying hens.

Why in earth? Dustbathing in jungle and domestic fowl reviewed from a Tinbergian and animal welfare perspective.

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The dustbathing behaviour of captive birds has been studied extensively. This paper brings together past research on dustbathing in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), in order to achieve a more thorough understanding of dustbathing. Research about the development, genetics, function and cause of dustbathing were all examined. Previous research has found that exposure to dustbathing substrates early in life can affect preferences later on, however the development of dustbathing is not reliant on the presence of a dustbathing substance. There is little research available that compares dustbathing in domestic and jungle fowl, which could provide a better understanding about the heritably of dustbathing behaviour. There are also few studies that examined the importance of dustbathing to the survival of the bird. It is known the number of lipids on the feathers is reduced following dustbathing, which increases the insulating ability of the feathers. However, whether dustbathing is also effective at controlling ectoparasites is unknown. The majority of the research about dustbathing focuses on the cause. Dustbathing follows a diurnal rhythm and is typically performed every two days. There is evidence that there is an internal motivation to dustbathe, as illustrated by the fact the birds will dustbathe quite quickly upon the return of litter, after it has been withheld. There also may be external factors, such as social facilitation that cause dustbathing, but recent research has brought doubt upon the external component. Hens demonstrate a preference for certain types of dustbathing substrate, and fine substrates like peat and sand will bring forth more dustbathing behaviours. The question of whether or not hens have the motivation to dustbathe is important, as it relates the hens’ welfare. What is needed to be determined is how sham dustbathing (performed by hens when the appropriate litter is not available) is related to actual dustbathing behaviour.

Bacteriocins of Streptococcus is a therapeutic alternatives to antibiotics for treating infections in swine

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Streptococcus suis is an important pathogen in swine that causes, among other conditions, meningites and endocardites. Antibiotic treatment can be efficient against this pathogenic bacteria when it is administrated soon enough. However, more and more strains of S. suis that are resistant to penicillin and other antibiotics are observed. At the same time, some non-pathogenic strains of S. suis are known to produce antibacterial substances of proteic nature called bacteriocins. This research project explored that antibacterial property in the context of fighting virulent strains of S. suis. The results showed that the non-pathogenic strain of S. suis 90-1330 can produce an antibacterial substance exhibiting the classical characteristics of bacteriocins, that is, low molecular weight, resistance to heat and susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes. This bacteriocin proved to be active against pathogenic isolates of S. suis, as well as other bacteria, both Gram positive and negative. Also, been found that adding yeast extract to the culture medium significantly simulated the producion of this bacteriocin by S. suis 90-1330. A purification procedure permitting to obtain an enriched fraction of bacteriocin 90-1330 have also been developed. Electrophoretic analysis on polyacrylamide gel suggests the molecular weight of bacteriocin 90-1330 to range between 4 and 5kDa. The results support potential utility of the non-pathogenic S. suis strain 90-1330 or its bacteriocin to prevent and fight infections in swine caused by virulent strains of S. suis. However, further research is needed before applying this new therapeutic principle.

Nitric oxide-dependent activation of pig oocytes: Role of calcium

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An update on Reproductive Technologies with Potential Short-Term Application in Pig Production

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Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the development and/or in the improvement of emerging reproductive technologies in pigs. Among emerging reproductive technologies with potential short-term application in pig production are: artificial insemination with low number of spermatozoa, cryopreservation of spermatozoa and embryos, sperm sexing, and non-surgical embryo transfer. The following review will give emphasis to recent advancements in these reproductive technologies that are starting to show possibilities of serious applications under field conditions.

Issues Surrounding PCV2

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Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) causes several diseases. Post-Weaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) primarily causes enlarged lymph nodes, wasting, diarrhoea, jaundice, coughing, fever, gastric ulcers, and sudden death. This usually hits piglets at 7 to 15 weeks of age, but good management can lower mortality. Porcine Dermatitis and Nephropathy Syndrome (PDNS) affects the skin and the kidneys. Clinical signs include red/purple lesions that begin on the hindquarters, and severe cases can lead to fever, lameness, anorexia and weight loss. The kidneys are often enlarged, pale, and covered with haemorrhages. PDNS typically affects nursery and grow-finish pigs and is sporadic. Pre-natal Myocarditis and Reproductive Failure is common in start-up herds. It causes abortions, increased stillbirths, increased foetal mummification rates, and cardiac lesions. At the time of publication, there were no licensed PCV2 vaccinations, but 3 were in the works.

Organic Acids as Potential Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters for Pigs

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Due to the fact that antibiotics for growth promotion are being phased out, interest is now being paid to the antibiotic power of various acids and fats. The addition of these alternatives generally makes the diet more acidic and resistant to changes of this acidity, increases gastrointestinal acidity, breakdown of proteins, promotes beneficial bacteria at the expense of harmful bacteria, and modulates many physiological processes after absorption. Four major benefits can be expected including improved health and resistance to disease, faster growth, increased efficiency of diet utilisation, and better carcass quality. Secondary affects may be achieved with certain supplemental fats (called SCFAs, or short-chain fatty acids) and nitrogen and phosphorus. Consistent responses of pigs to supplement SCFAs and their salts can be achieved by optimizing their sources, levels at proper ratios of protected to non-protected forms in diets using a more complex computerized approach. The economic feasibility of the use of SCFA can be heavily determined by the farm structure and the restrictions and costs imposed by the regional environmental and health safety policies.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED IMAGE ACQUISITION SYSTEM FOR MONITORING GENE EXPRESSION AND TISSUE GROWTH

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Energy and nutrient digestibilities in wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles fed to growing pigs

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The aim of this study was to characterize the nutritional profile and to determine the digestibilities of nutrients in wheat-based dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) fed to growing pigs. Six ileal cannulated barrows individually housed in metabolism crates were fed experimental diets which consisted of a basal wheat-based diet or the basal diet with wheat replaced by 400 g kg−1 mixed wheat or winter wheat DDGS in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Ileal digesta and fecal samples were collected for determining apparent ileal (AID) and apparent total tract digestibilities (ATTD), respectively. The contents of proximate components and amino acids in DDGS were about three times higher than in wheat. The AID and ATTD of dry matter, nitrogen and energy were lower (P < 0.05) in DDGS compared with wheat. The DDGS samples had lower (P < 0.05) AID of amino acids compared with wheat; average values for lysine, threonine and isoleucine in DDGS were 43.8, 62.9 and 68.0%, respectively. The ileal and fecal digestible energy content in DDGS averaged 9.7 ± 1.18 and 13.5 ± 0.61 MJkg−1, respectively. Respective values for wheat were 13.3 ± 0.52 and 14.6 ± 0.22 MJkg−1 and both were higher (P < 0.05) than in DDGS.