Effects of high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets on fat and carbohydrate oxidation and plasma metabolites in healthy cats.

High-fat (HF) or high-carbohydrate (HC) diets (30% fat, 18.9% carbohydrate; HF and 10% fat, 46.3% carbohydrate; HC) and lengths of adaptation were investigated in cats (Felis catus; 10 ± 2 months, 3.6 ± 0.3 kg). Cats randomly received each treatment for 14 days in a crossover design with a 14-day washout period between each diet. Three 22-h indirect calorimetry studies were conducted after acute (day 0), semichronic (day 4) and chronic (day 13) dietary exposure. Blood samples were collected after a 24-h fast on days 1, 5 and 14. When cats consumed the HC and HF diet, oxidation of the restricted nutrient exceeded intake while oxidation of the nutrient in excess matched intake. Mean max energy expenditure (EE) of cats consuming the HF and HC diet were 107 and 102 kcal/kg(0.67)/day and occurred at a mean of 4 and 12 h post-feeding respectively. Maximal fat (0.90 g/h) and carbohydrate (carbohydrate; 1.42 g/h) oxidation were attained at 26 min and 10.4 h post-feeding respectively. The changes observed in macronutrient oxidation and EE suggest that cats adapt whole-body nutrient metabolism in response to changes in dietary macronutrient content, but may require longer than 14 day to adapt to a macronutrient that is present at a lower concentration in the diet.

Effect of the provision of a low-nutritive feedstuff on the behavior of dairy heifers limit fed a high-concentrate ration.

The objective of this study was to examine the behavioral and growth responses of dairy heifers when a low-nutritive feedstuff was provided with (either within or alongside) a limit-fed ration. Twenty-four Holstein dairy heifers (187 ± 11.3 d of age, 231.1 ± 12.0kg), divided in groups of 4, were exposed to each of 3 treatments in a replicated Latin square design with 28-d periods. The treatment rations were (1) total mixed ration (TMR) in a limited amount (TMR-L), (2) TMR in a limited amount with straw (1.8 kg of DM/d per heifer) offered as a choice (TMR-SC), and (3) TMR in a limited amount with straw (1.8 kg of DM/d per heifer) mixed in (TMR-SM). The TMR was fed, once daily, at a restricted level (2.02% of body weight) and contained (on a DM basis) 19.0% alfalfa/grass haylage, 21% corn silage, 45% high moisture corn, and 15% protein supplement. Feeding behavior and unrewarded time at the feed bunk were recorded for the last 14 d of each period. Standing time was recorded for the last 7 d of each period. Rumination behavior was recorded twice weekly (during the fifth hour after feed delivery) in the last 14 d of each period. Body weight was recorded weekly and group DMI was recorded daily. Dry matter intake was lowest for the TMR treatment compared with the treatments with straw (5.7 vs. 7.3 kg/d). Heifer average daily gain tended to be lower on the TMR-SM treatment compared with the TMR-L and TMR-SC treatments (0.78 vs. 0.94 kg/d). Feed efficiency (DMI/ADG) was improved on the TMR-L (6.3) compared with TMR-SC (7.8) and TMR-SM (9.9) treatments. Daily feeding time differed between the TMR-L (76.1 min/d), TMR-SC (206.9 min/d), and TMR-SM (279.2 min/d) treatments. Unrewarded feeding time at the feed bunk differed between the TMR-L (38 min/d) compared with the TMR-SC (10.9 min/d) and TMR-SM (1.7 min/d) treatments. Inactive standing time differed among treatments, with TMR-L being the highest compared with TMR-SC and TMR-SM (556.4 vs. 409.9 vs. 340.1 min/d). There tended to be fewer heifers ruminating on the TMR-L compared with TMR-SM (14.0 vs. 21.9%). The results suggest that provision of straw as a choice alongside a limit-fed ration will allow heifer growth rates to be met, as well as provide a suitable foraging source that heifers can use to satisfy their natural feeding behavior patterns.

Feeding motivation on the incidence of floor eggs and extraneously calcified eggs laid by broiler breeder hens.

1. Commercial broiler breeder hens lay many eggs on the floor rather than in nest boxes provided. A study was conducted to determine whether feeding feed-restricted broiler breeder hens during the sitting phase of nesting results in a higher incidence of floor eggs and/or retained eggs. 2. Sixty broiler breeder females (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 6 deep litter pens containing 10 nest-boxes. At 35 weeks of age and for 9 weeks, feed was distributed to all pens at lights-on every second day (fed normally, FN). On alternate days (feeding delay, FD), feed was distributed when 2-3 hens/pen were sitting in a nest box. Behaviour was sampled at 41 weeks of age, for 26 d. Eggs and egg location data were collected daily, and eggs were scored for extra-cuticular calcium. 3. Of 81 instances in which the hen was sitting firmly in a nest box at the time of feeding, on 80 instances the hen left the nest-box to feed, and on one instance the hen laid her egg then exited to the feeder. Of these 80 instances, on 58 occasions the hen returned to a nest-box to lay her egg; on 12 the hen returned to the nest-box but laid no egg; on 7 the hen did not return to the nest box and laid no egg; and on three the hen laid her egg on the floor. 4. Mean floor egg percentage was 13·3 ± 3·2% on FN and 13·3 ± 4·7% on FD days; these did not differ significantly. 5. The mean extra-cuticular calcium score over all pens was 0·9 ± 0·06 on FN days and 1·2 ± 0·06 on FD days; these differed significantly. 6. In conclusion, feeding broiler breeder hens during nesting results in a conflict between feeding and nesting motivation and higher numbers of extraneously calcified eggs, but does not result in a significant increase in floor eggs even though nesting hens will leave the nest box for food.

Using time to insensibility and estimated time of death to evaluate a nonpenetrating captive bolt, cervical dislocation, and blunt trauma for on-farm killing of turkeys.

The effectiveness of a pneumatic nonpenetrating captive bolt (Zephyr) was assessed for on-farm euthanasia of turkeys and compared with blunt force trauma, manual cervical dislocation, and mechanical cervical dislocation using a burdizzo. The Zephyr (n = 46) and burdizzo (n = 26) were evaluated in turkey hens (11.4 +/- 0.1 kg), the Zephyr (n = 46) and blunt trauma (n = 32) were evaluated in turkey toms (13.1 +/- 0.2 kg), and the Zephyr (n = 12), blunt trauma (n = 11), and manual cervical dislocation (n = 7) were evaluated in broiler turkeys (4.1 +/- 0.3 kg). The nictitating membrane and pupillary light reflexes were monitored continuously to determine when insensibility occurred. Time of death was estimated based on the end time of convulsions and sustained absence of breathing. The nictitating membrane reflex was present immediately after treatment in all 26 hens killed with a burdizzo versus 8 of 46 hens killed with the Zephyr (P < 0.001). The presence of eye reflexes did not differ between the Zephyr and blunt trauma for toms (1 of 26 toms killed with blunt trauma, 2 of 44 toms killed with the Zephyr, P = 1.0). The nictitating membrane reflex persisted in a greater proportion of broiler turkeys killed with cervical dislocation (7 of 7) versus the Zephyr (0 of 12, P < 0.001) and blunt trauma (2 of 9, P = 0.003) but did not differ between blunt trauma and the Zephyr (P = 0.2). End time of convulsions did not differ between the Zephyr and burdizzo for hens (204 +/- 8 vs. 114 +/- 10 s, P = 0.5) or between the Zephyr and blunt trauma for toms (200 +/- 7 s vs. 218 +/- 11.8 s, P = 0.4) but was shorter after cervical dislocation in broiler turkeys (cervical dislocation: 138 +/- 13 s, Zephyr: 165 +/- 7 s, blunt trauma: 178 +/- 13 s, P < 0.001). Results demonstrated that the Zephyr (discharged twice in immediate succession) and blunt trauma (single hit) were similarly effective at consistently causing immediate insensibility. Conversely, neither method of cervical dislocation caused immediate insensibility. This study may assist in revising current poultry euthanasia recommendations.

Science-based assessment of animal welfare: farm animals.

Animal welfare is to do with the feelings experienced by animals: the absence of strong negative feelings, usually called suffering, and (probably) the presence of positive feelings, usually called pleasure. In any assessment of welfare, it is these feelings that should be assessed. Because feelings are subjective, they cannot be investigated directly. However, there are indirect methods by which animals can be 'asked' what they feel about the conditions under which they are kept and the procedures to which they are subjected. These methods involve preference tests, followed up by motivational tests to assess how important the animal's choice is. Measurements of impaired biological functioning, particularly those connected to decreased health and increased physiological stress responses, can provide good corroborating evidence that welfare is compromised.

The effect of dentition on feeding development in piglets and on their growth and behavior after weaning.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of dentition on feed-oriented behavior and feed consumption before weaning at 28 d, and whether premolar eruption or occlusion at the time of weaning influenced postweaning growth or behavior. Over 3 trials, 24 litters of Yorkshire piglets (n = 233) were provided with creep feed marked with 1% chromic oxide on d 5. Dental exams were performed on d 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, and 27. Fecal samples were visually assessed for feed consumption (via fecal color) on the same day as dental exams, beginning on d 6. The duration of time spent at, and frequency of visits to, the creep feeder were determined from continuous video recordings on d 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 24 for 6 h/d (0700 to 1000 h, 1300 to 1600 h). After weaning, behavior was recorded every 5 min for three 2-h time periods (0600 to 0800 h, 1100 to 1300 h, and 1600 to 1800 h) on d 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Piglets younger than 17 d with their premolars erupted and occluded spent less time at the creep feeder and visited it less often than piglets without their premolars erupted and occluded [duration: p(3) (premolar position 3 on maxilla), d 7 (P = 0.005); p(4) (premolar position 4 on mandible), d 7 (P < 0.0001), d 10 (P = 0.003); p(4 )(premolar position 4 on maxilla), d 17 (P = 0.012); occlusion, d 7 (P < 0.0001), d 10 (P = 0.0004); visits: p(3), d 7 (P < 0.0001); p(4), d 7 (P < 0.0001), d 10 (P = 0.001); p(3 )(premolar position 3 on mandible), d 14 (P = 0.037); p(4), d 17 (P = 0.024); occlusion, d 7 (P < 0.0001), d 10 (P = 0.003)]. By d 21 of age, this trend reversed such that piglets with premolars erupted and occluded spent more time at the feeder and visited it more frequently [duration: p(3), d 24 (P = 0.025); p(4), d 24 (P = 0.0005); occlusion, d 21 (P = 0.001), d 24 (P = 0.0001); visits: p(3), d 21 (P = 0.0002), d 24 (P < 0.0001); p(4), d 24 (P = 0.0002); occlusion, d 21 (P < 0.0001), d 24 (P < 0.0001)]. The percentages of piglets with positive fecal scores were 0, 1.4, 4.6, 8.0, 29.0, 44.9, and 60.6% on d 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, and 27, respectively (P < 0.0001 between each day). No associations were found between the eruption or occlusion of premolars and feed consumption before weaning (P > 0.05), and no dental measures influenced growth rates (P > 0.10) or behavior (P > 0.10) after weaning. A more precise method may be necessary for detecting associations between dental eruption and feed consumption. However, the behavioral results indicate that, before weaning at 28 d, younger piglets are inhibited from feeding when their premolars first erupt, whereas older piglets with a more advanced dentition are more attracted to feed.

Frustrated nesting behaviour: relation to extra-cuticular shell calcium and bone strength in White Leghorn hens.

1. The inability of hens to express normal nesting behaviour in battery cages results in frustration, manifesting itself as stereotyped pacing. Frustration can cause hens to retain their eggs beyond the expected time of lay, resulting in an extra-cuticular layer of calcium on eggshells. 2. This study investigated whether frustrated nesting behaviour caused extra-cuticular calcification of eggshells and whether this loss of non-structural calcium to eggshells may have subsequently contributed to weak bones in spent hens. 3. One hundred and twenty hens were assigned to one of three treatments: NB (hens given nest boxes in their cages), NN (no nest box) and R (access to nest box periodically restricted). 4. NB hens spent the least amount of time pacing in the hour before oviposition. NN and R hens spent similar amounts of time pacing. 5. Contrary to expectation, eggshells from hens under different treatments yielded the same amount of extra-cuticular calcium. Similarly tibia strength did not significantly differ among treatments.

Effects of tail docking using a rubber ring with or without anesthetic on behavior and production of lactating cows.

Production and behavioral measures were recorded to determine the level of stress and pain associated with tail docking adult dairy cows with a rubber ring. The possible advantages of using an epidural anesthetic were also examined. Sixty-four lactating, mixed-parity, Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. The treatments were rubber ring docking with epidural anesthetic (RRA), rubber ring docking without anesthetic (RR), control with epidural anesthetic (CA), and control without anesthetic (C). Behavior was examined on d 0, +1, +2, and +6. Milk production and feed intake were monitored. Cows exhibited subtle behavioral changes following application of rubber rings, as well as after epidural administration on d 0 and tail amputation on d +6. After treatment on d 0, the RR, RRA, and CA groups displayed less tail shaking than the C group. The RR and RRA cows continued to exhibit less tail shaking on d +1, +2, and +6. Also on d 0, the RR and RRA groups held their tails in the raised position less than the C and CA groups. After amputation on d +6, the RR and RRA groups spent longer with their tails pressed to their bodies than the C and CA groups. No significant differences in milk production or feed intake were found. Results suggest that tail-docking adult dairy cattle with rubber rings causes, at most, mild discomfort and that there is no benefit in using an epidural anesthetic. However, long-term effects need to be investigated.