Why-Oh-Why? Dark Brooders Reduce Injurious Pecking, Though Are Still Not Widely Used in Commercial Rearing of Layer Pullets.

Dark brooders, i.e., horizontal heating elements for chicks equipped with curtains, mimic some aspects of maternal care, such as the provision of heat and a dark area for chicks to rest. Thus, they can be considered as artificial passive replacements of a mother hen. Despite their advantages in animal welfare and the likely positive outcomes in production and economy, dark brooders are rarely used in commercial layer pullet facilities. The main positive effect on welfare is a reduction of injurious pecking during the rearing and laying periods, which results in improved feather cover and reduced skin injuries and mortality due to cannibalism. Other welfare benefits include improved rest in dark-brooded chicks and reduced fearfulness at all ages tested (i.e., from 4 to 26 weeks). The impact on production and economy is seen in a reduction of the energy costs in the first weeks of life due to radiant heating, as well as improved total egg production and reduced floor egg laying. The aim of this paper is to review the existing literature on the effects of dark brooders on injurious pecking and other welfare issues in layers, including speculations on the possible explanations for improved welfare. We also discuss the possible reasons for why dark brooders are not applied more commonly in commercial practice, including insufficient information on the economic aspects of using brooders and the lack of commercially available brooder options.

The influence of stocking density on behaviour, health, and production in commercial fattening turkeys - a review.

1. This paper reviews literature on the effects of stocking density on behaviour, health, and production in intensively housed fattening turkeys.2. Worldwide, there are various regulations and recommendations on the maximum stocking density. While stocking density can be determined based on the space covered by the body, a more appropriate method considers space requirements for natural behaviour. Turkeys are less likely disturbed at low stocking density as seen by increased sitting, lying, and preening behaviours compared to animals housed at high stocking density. Furthermore, lower stocking density together with smaller group size, species-appropriate light conditions and suitable structuring of barn housing are repeatedly mentioned as good strategies to prevent injurious pecking.3. Increased stocking density - in terms of weight and animal number per floor area - is related to increased litter moisture, which can have negative impact on animal health. High stocking density can also lead to poor body mass gain and increased mortality, which are not only indicators of impaired welfare but also of economic interest.4. Based on the available scientific literature and economic aspects with regard to the above criteria, a maximum stocking density for turkeys appears to be 36-a maximum of 40 kg live weight per m2 of usable floor space. However, the number of animals per square space should also be limited to avoid increased litter moisture and reduced health.

[Aspects to improve animal welfare in fattening turkeys: structure and occupational material - a literature review]. / Aspekte zur Verbesserung des Tierwohls bei Mastputen: Strukturierung und Beschäftigungsmaterial ­ eine Literaturübersicht.

Conventional turkey husbandries frequently fail to provide any structural elements or occupational material apart from the feeding and drinking systems. However, these may carry numerous advantages for animal welfare (spatial separation to exercise natural behavior, retreat options, stimulation of locomotion). Hence these are increasingly discussed in conventional turkey husbandry, especially against the background of minimizing injurious pecking. Studies reported in the literature concerning the effects of structural elements or occupational materials are not exactly comparable to one another due to variations in study design. However, the described positive effects predominate across the different evaluations. Nonetheless, when using such elements consideration must be given to several variables. For example, the use and positive effects of perching options depend on the type and dimensions of their structure used as well as on sex, age and breed of the animals. Straw bales represent one option, which then may also serve as occupational material. When hay or straw is offered, appropriately sized grit must also be administered in order to prevent obstipation of the gastrointestinal tract. Different occupational materials should be offered alternately and in sufficient quantities. The outdoor-climate and run area offer climatic and optic stimuli and additional opportunities for exercise. However, various basic requirements must also be considered here. In principle, the commitment and knowledge of the breeder are of crucial importance for all of the animal welfare improvements mentioned. Therefore, regular further training for this group of people is recommended.

Methodological terminology and definitions for research and discussion of cow-calf contact systems.

Due to increasing public concern regarding separation of the dairy cow and calf within the first days after birth, alternative systems, where cows and calves stay in contact for an extended period, are receiving increasing interest from a broad array of researchers and other stakeholders. With more research in the area, there is a risk of inconsistencies emerging in the use of terminology. To create a better consensus in further discussions, the aim of this Research Reflection is to provide definitions and propose a common terminology for cow-calf contact in dairy production. We also suggest definitions for various systems allowing cow-calf contact and describe the distinct phases of cow-calf contact systems.

The influence of maternal contact on activity, emotionality and social competence in young dairy calves.

The study reported in this research communication aimed to assess the influence of maternal contact on calves' activity, fearfulness, and social competence. Calves were either dam-reared for their first 14 d of age (Maternal Contact, n = 12) or were separated from their dams within 12 h after birth (Motherless, n = 12). Calves of both treatments and the dams of Maternal Contact calves were group-housed and suckling was prevented with udder nets. The general activity (lying, locomotion, swapping between lying and standing) was measured using pedometers in eight Maternal Contact and eight Motherless calves within a 24-d period. Since general activity might be affected by calves' age or the separation of Maternal Contact calves from the dams the 24-d period was additionally divided into two groups (period A: 3rd-13th day of age, period B: 14th-27th day of age). Emotionality and social competence were assessed in the open field, novel object, and confrontation test with an unknown cow at 14, 21, and 28 d of age, respectively. Mann-Whitney-U-tests were performed for statistical analysis. Locomotion was greater in Motherless calves than Maternal Contact calves during the 24-d period (A + B combined, P < 0.001) and period B (14th to 27th day of age, P < 0.001). There was no treatment difference in duration of lying or in the amount of swapping in any of the periods. After a Bonferroni correction, which we used due to the exploratory character of the study, there were no treatment differences in behaviours indicating emotionality. Compared to Motherless calves, Maternal Contact calves showed increased vigilance (P < 0.01) during the confrontation test. The results of this study indicate that mother-reared calves likely searched less for social contact and developed greater social skills than calves that were separated from their mothers soon after birth.