Dynamics of aggression in the domestic fowl

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2002 | No Comments

Group size (GS), density and distribution of resources in space and time are manipulated over a wide range in populations of domestic animals kept for agricultural production. Different numbers of animals may be kept in enclosures of the same or different sizes, thereby affecting density. Food resources may be limited and clumped in time or space. Alternatively, food resources may by unlimited and evenly distributed in space to facilitate feed intake and growth. It is important from economic and animal welfare perspectives to understand the potential effects of manipulating GS, density and distribution of resources on aggression in captive populations of domestic animals. Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of GS on the frequencies of different types of aggressive acts performed by 11-21 wk old White Leghorn pullets. In these experiments, aggression was measured in the context of competition for a limited supply of highly attractive food provided in two patches (central and peripheral) in addition to the regular (ad libitum) food supply. The birds were observed in their original groups of 15, 30, 60, and 120 birds (3-4 replicate groups per GS), reared together since hatch, or in temporary sub-groups of the original groups. In the first experiment (space per bird constant, pen size and GS history carrying), the number of aggressive acts delivered per food patch declined as GS increased from 15 to 120 birds. In the second experiment, utilizing birds from the groups of 120 only (space per bird varying, pen size and GS history constant), the number of aggressive pecks delivered per patch was increased as temporary GS increased from 15 to 60 birds. In the third experiment (space per bird and pen size constant, GS history varying), the number of aggressive pecks delivered per patch was constant among groups of 15 birds obtained form the groups of 15, 30, 60, and 120 birds. In all experiments, the central food patch was exploited sooner than the peripheral one. The actual number of birds at a food patch at a given time was more important in determining the frequency of aggression at the food patch than the number of birds present in an enclosure or previous GS experience. When a high number of individuals was present at a food patch, aggression at that patch was relatively was relatively infrequent. The results support the hypothesis that aggression in the domestic fowl is a dynamic process, with decisions about aggressive behaviour being made facultatively according to the relative costs and benefits of different behavioural strategies at a given time and place rather than being fixed obligatorily at a constant level according to the number of birds present in an enclosure and their ability of form dominance relationships.

Preferences of dairy cows kept in unheated buildings for different kind of cubicle flooring.

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This study examined the preference of dairy cows for different types of cubicle flooring when housed in uninsulated buildings in Finland. Cows were given the choice between deep straw and soft rubber mat (with minimal straw); deep straw and sand; and, soft rubber mat and sand, in both summer and winter. The cattle preferred straw to soft rubber mats and sand in the winter. In the summer they preferred straw and soft rubber mats to sand. When restricted to only one type of floor, cows spent equal amounts of time lying on straw and soft rubber mats, but less time on the sand. The results indicate that soft rubber mats are as comfortable as deep straw for cubicle flooring during much of the year, but longer term studies on the use of sand are needed to determine if it is a suitable bedding in cold housing.

Neonatal foal handling

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HOUSING: Small sow groups need choice

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The UK experience of group housing gestating sows has provided an important resource of management information. It is well recognized that certain systems, which have facilities for individual feeding, for example, cubicles, feeders and electronic sow feeders (ESF), provide both commercial and welfare advantages. When designing group-housing systems it is important to consider all elements of the pen facilities and management; for example, feeding, lying, dunging, socializing, water provision and previous experience. Each point of contact between sows will reinforce the social hierarchy, whether they are housed in small groups or are members of a subgroup within a large, dynamic group housing systems. In any group size there will always be individual animals that seek isolation, safety and their own company; this is particularly the case in small group sizes. A trial was designed at Harper Adams University College to test whether providing a choice of lying space is beneficial to small groups of sows. Eighty-two, parity two to four PIC Camborough 15 sows ((LRxD)xLW) were housed in groups ranging from five to eight in gestation pens consisting of a bedded lying area, a scraped dunging passage and a set of sow operated feeders. The sows were allocated to one of two treatments: Restricted access to feeding stalls, only at feeding time and free access to the sow operated feeding stalls at all times. The sows were fed once a day and the feeding stalls had a sow operated back gate that provided complete security from other group members. The hierarchy of each group was determined late in gestation and sows were categorized as either dominant or submissive. As a measure of the level of aggression, lesion scores on the skin of the sows were measured throughout gestation. In this study the overall time spent lying down was not affected by the access to the feeding stalls and ranged between 82% and 86% of behaviour observations. However, where sows had free access to the feeder both dominant and submissive sows chose to use this space as a lying area. Indeed one sow would never lie in the bedded lying area. When the lying area was restricted the sows that might have preferred to lie in the feeders were obliged to lie either in the dunging passage or with more intimidating pen mates. The overall levels of lesions were not considered to be particularly high in either situation. This indicated that the pen size and management system was sufficient to minimize aggression, yet, as might have been expected there was a significant difference between the dominant and submissive animals. Finally, even though the overall performance was good there was a significant effect on number born that can be attributed to the greater choice given to the sows with free access to the feeders. Our observations so far would lead us to conclude that at high levels of performance competition for lying space is an important consideration in pen design. In relatively high welfare systems, where sows are given a choice of lying area in gestation, there can be an increase in sow productivity. Also the welfare of low-ranking animals may be compromised if they are obliged to share the same space as their high-ranking contemporaries.

Standard Operating Procedures – Getting the Most out of Standard Operating Procedures

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A standard operating procedure (SOP) outlines specific detail on how to carry out a routine procedure. SOPs should include a title, references, appendices, revision date, pictures, warnings, necessary equipment, definitions, and the steps required. For SOPs to be practical, the workers carrying out the tasks should have a great deal of say in the procedure. Using words like “will” and “shall” instead of “can” and “should” help to give direction rather than suggestion. After reviewing and testing the SOP it should be signed and placed in a binder for easy access. This is good for refreshers for current employees and for new employees. SOPs are good for ensuring that procedures that need to get done are performed in a timely manner to allow efficient flow of production. They are also good for training new staff, provide complete and accurate data for all procedures performed in the barn, ensure accuracy of data collected, instill safe working habits, and ensure compliance with company policy. SOPs can fail if a third party creates them, essentially making them completely impractical. If an SOP is too long-winded, too simple (for experienced employees), inaccessible, or not updated regularly, SOPs can fail to do what they are designed for.

Maintaining and Expanding Pork Export to Japan

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In 2000, Canada was the fourth largest food exporter to Japan. Canada’s surplus of grain, barley-fed pork, geography, and quality makes Canada prime for exporting pork to Japan. The Japanese value quality, price, service, supply, and long-term business relationships. Japans meat self-sufficiency has been declining while preference for “western-style” foods (rather than fish) have been increasing, which makes import pork more attractive than domestic pork. Japan’s pork market values meat firmness, taste, and quality. In 2000 Japan imported 42.2% of its total consumption from (primarily) Canada, Denmark, and the US. Canadian pork can be differentiated from competitors via the fact that barley fed pork has greater value and by using brand names (based on freshness, fat trimming, weight range, amount of purge, quality and consistency). To comply with Japans picky market, producers must produce what the market wants rather than what they want to sell. Chilled pork desires include less than 1.3 cm of inter-muscular fat in the belly, thin sliced shoulders and hams, and a strict carcass freshness standard. Frozen pork is typically used for processing purposes. To improve competitiveness in quality and price, a high-value brand should be created and marketed (improve freshness, security, cutting, and packing methods). International diversification of business, exporting chilled and frozen pork, production of hogs for the Japan market, and an effective promotion of barley fed pork can all help to improve competitiveness and price.

Diets containing high-quality animal proteins increase growth of early-weaned pigs

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Digestibility studies in growing pigs fed diets based on full-fat rubber seeds or soya beans supplemented with water spinach

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Effects of North American Free Trade Agreement on Agriculture and the Rural Economy

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Can We Alter Water Utilization In Growing Pigs by Diet Manipulation?

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Concerns relating to the use of water resources by the livestock industry, combined with the rising cost of manure management, have resulted in greater interest in defining more precisely the water consumption of pigs. A study was conducted to determine if the crude protein or mineral content of a diet affected water consumption by growing pigs. Although water utilization was increased when the crude protein or mineral content of the diet was excessive, factors other than the diet appear to have a greater impact on water utilization by the pig.

Feeding a diet containing excessive dietary protein will result in increased water utilization by growing pigs. This makes sense as additional water will be required to remove the by-products of protein breakdown from the body. Surprisingly, reducing crude protein by increasing the use of synthetic amino acids will not reduce water intake. Although diet composition may influence water utilization in growing pigs, other factors, such as the environment and the design of the water delivery system appear to have a greater impact. The water:feed ratio was confirmed to be in the range of 2.5:1, provided excess nutrients are not present in the diet.