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1.
Animals (Basel) ; 14(9)2024 Apr 24.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38731286

RESUMEN

Inadequate management conditions can impair the welfare of captive-bred horses. Understanding individuals' viewpoints and the factors influencing their decisions about adopting or avoiding certain practices may provide insights into their motivations and decision-making processes. This is particularly relevant in the equestrian community, where equine practitioners and enthusiasts often engage in harmful practices. We explored the beliefs, knowledge, and attitudes of equine practitioners and enthusiasts about horse welfare and the barriers that prevent them from employing better management practices that are essential to promoting horses' welfare. The study consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in person with 31 individuals directly involved in the equestrian environment in Brazil. Responses were analyzed through thematic analysis with a data-driven deductive approach. Participants' beliefs, knowledge and attitudes to horse welfare were divided into three themes. The first theme, "Let the horse be a horse", captured participants' perceptions about how physical and mental aspects related to the nature and welfare of horses. The second theme, "Everyone does it like that", includes the social norms that influence decisions about the practices that impact on the welfare of the horses. The third theme, "Beyond utopia: how and why horses are managed the way they are", covered barriers that participants perceived as impediments to the use of best practices for the welfare of horses. While participants demonstrated awareness of welfare issues and acknowledged factors that negatively impact horses, there was a notable discrepancy between this knowledge and the implementation of improved management practices. This could be explained by several perceived barriers to implementing management practices that could enhance horse welfare, including lack of financial resources, limited physical space, shortage of qualified labor, time constraints, inadequate tools, and insufficient knowledge. Additionally, we identified deeply rooted social norms within the equestrian community and culturally established practices that limit approaches to horse welfare. Participants underscored the influence of these norms and different interpretations of "letting the horse be a horse" based on the horse's value and purpose. Concerning low-value horses, the primary justifications for stall housing and concentrated feeding were linked to elevated costs involved in spatial demands and labor; in contrast, for high-value horses used in performance and aesthetics, the arguments shifted to potential benefits to the horses' well-being. From an ethical perspective, ideally, individuals should refrain from owning horses if they cannot ensure the animals' welfare. Additionally, if the equestrian community neglects public attitudes towards animal welfare, it risks eroding its social license.

2.
Anim Welf ; 33: e26, 2024.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38751799

RESUMEN

Tail docking is a husbandry practice widely incorporated in sheep farms around the world. It is an irreversible mutilation that impairs animal welfare, both immediately and in the longer term. The defence of tail docking as a practice is centred around the perception that doing so contributes to the promotion of local hygiene, allowing the use of the wool, facilitating reproductive management and reducing the chances of myiasis, a disease caused by the invasion of blowfly larvae in the tissues of warm-blooded animals. However, current understanding of farm animal welfare questions the need to maintain practices such as tail docking. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the incidence of Cochliomyia hominivorax myiasis in sheep in an experimental flock in Brazil during a six-year retrospective cohort study. Relative risk, odds ratio and incidence rate ratio were the association measures adopted. A total of 4,318 data-points were collected and supplied the analytical model. Tail docking did not decrease the risk and, on the contrary, was found to increase the chances of sheep being affected by myiasis. The results support the hypothesis that tail docking is not a protective factor against the occurrence of myiasis and further fuel calls for a rethink of tail docking being deployed as a blanket measure in the prevention of myiasis in sheep.

3.
Meat Sci ; 212: 109467, 2024 Jun.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38430620

RESUMEN

There's been a change in citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption in high-income countries, resulting in a decline in its consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted citizens' attitudes and behaviours towards beef consumption. This study aimed to investigate Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef consumption during the initial 18 months of the pandemic. Socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes towards beef consumption were asked in two questionnaires done in 2020 (n = 1142) and 2021 (n = 1221). Citizens' attitudes to beef eating and production did not change between the start and more than a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants not related with animal production, female, young, and non-meat consumers demonstrated more negative attitudes towards beef consumption and production. Half of the participants agreed that beef is bad for the environment, but only 30% agreed that beef is bad for human health. Half of participants had reduced beef consumption and 48% expressed intentions to reduce beef consumption in the future, primarily motivated by concerns related to animal welfare, the environment, and human health. The majority of participants (80%) thought that their fellow citizens should reduce their beef consumption but only 50% had confidence that this will occur. We conclude that Chilean consumers' attitudes to beef eating did not change due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants expressed strong concern about beef consumption both individually and socially, due to environmental, animal and health concerns, and believed Chileans should reduce beef consumption in the future but had low confidence that this will happen.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Pueblos Sudamericanos , Animales , Bovinos , Femenino , Humanos , Actitud , COVID-19/epidemiología , Pandemias , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
4.
Pathogens ; 12(4)2023 Mar 29.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37111417

RESUMEN

Grazing systems have great potential to promote animal welfare by allowing animals to express natural behaviours, but they also present risks to the animals. Diseases caused by gastrointestinal nematodes are some of the most important causes of poor ruminant health and welfare in grazing systems and cause important economic losses. Reduced growth, health, reproduction and fitness, and negative affective states that indicate suffering are some of the negative effects on welfare in animals infected by gastrointestinal nematode parasitism. Conventional forms of control are based on anthelmintics, but their growing inefficiency due to resistance to many drugs, their potential for contamination of soil and products, and negative public opinion indicate an urgency to seek alternatives. We can learn to deal with these challenges by observing biological aspects of the parasite and the host's behaviour to develop managements that have a multidimensional view that vary in time and space. Improving animal welfare in the context of the parasitic challenge in grazing systems should be seen as a priority to ensure the sustainability of livestock production. Among the measures to control gastrointestinal nematodes and increase animal welfare in grazing systems are the management and decontamination of pastures, offering multispecies pastures, and grazing strategies such as co-grazing with other species that have different grazing behaviours, rotational grazing with short grazing periods, and improved nutrition. Genetic selection to improve herd or flock parasite resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection may also be incorporated into a holistic control plan, aiming at a substantial reduction in the use of anthelmintics and endectocides to make grazing systems more sustainable.

5.
PLoS One ; 18(4): e0284080, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37099484

RESUMEN

Much is discussed about the characteristics, efficiency, and externalities of indoor housing and pasture-based beef production systems, but little is known about how these features influence public attitudes towards beef production. This study aimed to explore Chilean citizens' attitudes towards beef production systems and their underlying reasons. Citizens (n = 1,084) were recruited to participate in a survey and given information about one beef production system: indoor housing, continuous grazing or regenerative grazing. Participants had more favourable attitudes (from 1 = most negative attitudes to 5 = most positive attitudes) towards pasture-based systems (regenerative grazing = 2.94; continuous grazing = 2.83) than towards indoor housing (1.94), mainly due to concerns with animal welfare and environmental impacts. Productivity was not as important as the other sustainability aspects for participants as they were not willing to do that trade-off. Support for beef production may benefit if production systems adopt characteristics that are perceived by the public as positive for the environment and animal welfare.


Asunto(s)
Actitud , Opinión Pública , Animales , Bovinos , Chile , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Bienestar del Animal
6.
J Equine Vet Sci ; 126: 104249, 2023 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36806715

RESUMEN

Stabled horses often experience negative emotions due to the inappropriate living conditions imposed by humans. However, identifying what emotions horses experience and what can trigger positive and negative emotions in stabled horses can be challenging. In this article we present a brief history of the study of emotions and models that explain emotions from a scientific point of view and the physiological bases and functions of emotions. We then review and discuss physiological and behavioral indicators and cognitive bias tests developed to assess emotions in horses. Hormone concentrations, body temperature, the position of the ears, facial expressions and behaviors, such as approach and avoidance behaviors, can provide valuable information about emotional states in horses. The cognitive bias paradigm is a recent and robust tool to assess emotions in horses. Knowing how to evaluate the intensity and frequency of an individual's emotions can guide horse owners and caretakers to identify practices and activities that should be stimulated, avoided or even banned from the individual's life, in favor of a life worth living. The development and validation of novel indicators of emotions considering positive and negative contexts can help in these actions.


Asunto(s)
Emociones , Personalidad , Humanos , Caballos , Animales , Emociones/fisiología
7.
Int J Biometeorol ; 67(3): 409-422, 2023 Mar.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36680629

RESUMEN

Does the silvopastoral system (SPS) promote a satisfactory thermal environment for dairy cows to perform their natural behaviors and perform a suitable thermoregulatory function? To answer this, peer-reviewed articles, written in English and evaluating the effects of silvopastoral systems on thermal environment, dairy cows' behavior, and physiology were used in this systematic review; additionally, a bibliometric approach was performed. Web of Science and Google Scholar were used to compile the literature. The resulting articles (1448) underwent a 4-step appraisal process and resulted in 19 articles that fitted our inclusion criteria. Microclimate variables and thermal comfort indicators were the most researched topics (discussed in 89% of studies); 47% of studies addressed cattle behavior and 36% physiological responses. Our review highlights different benefits of silvopastoral systems for grazing dairy cows. For example, the SPS provides a more comfortable thermal environment than treeless pasture, which increases feeding behaviors; furthermore, dairy cows in SPS show lower drinking events, surface temperature, and respiratory rate than cows raised in treeless pasture. However, for nine of the variables related to cows' behavior (e.g., resting, rumination) and physiology responses (e.g., internal temperature), the results of the studies were unclear. Furthermore, behaviors associated with lying down (e.g., idling and rumination) and milk production in SPS were explored only in six and two studies, respectively. These findings provide consistent evidence that the silvopastoral systems are beneficial to thermal comfort of dairy cows; nonetheless, the effect on cows' behavioral and physiological responses is still scarce and unclear.


Asunto(s)
Conducta Animal , Lactancia , Femenino , Bovinos , Animales , Conducta Animal/fisiología , Lactancia/fisiología , Conducta Alimentaria/fisiología , Temperatura , Regulación de la Temperatura Corporal , Leche , Industria Lechera/métodos
8.
Anim Welf ; 32: e36, 2023.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38487461

RESUMEN

The welfare of animals in food-production systems is a cause of concern to the public. Regenerative agriculture was first used by the Rodale Institute and proposes to regenerate degraded components of ecosystems, aiming to be more than just sustainable. However, despite animal welfare being pushed to be part of the SDG agenda for 2030, there is no clarity on how regenerative agriculture impacts animal welfare. It is challenging to determine regenerative agriculture impacts on animal welfare, since it is not entirely defined. One Welfare could help define entry points for future research by studying animal welfare in connection with human welfare and environmental conservation. We aimed to analyse the extent to which positive animal welfare outcomes characterise regenerative agriculture systems in peer-reviewed articles and whether the narratives of such articles support that regenerative agriculture promotes animal welfare directly or indirectly by improving human welfare and environmental conservation. We searched papers including 'regenerative agriculture' using PRISMA-P, selecting animal welfare, human welfare, environment conservation terms, developed themes, and carried out analysis using Atlas.Ti8 and Causal Loop Diagram. We found that papers mainly linked animal welfare to animal health, human welfare to financial farm status and farmer's self-awareness, and environmental conservation to soil improvement. Causal Loop Diagram indicated that regenerative agriculture had the potential to improve the health and nutrition components of animal welfare by enhancing financial farmers' status/self-awareness (human welfare), and the soil (environmental conservation), reflecting that the processes that affect human welfare and environmental conservation could also affect animal welfare. However, information in papers remains insufficient to determine how regenerative agriculture impacts on animal welfare and research into regenerative agriculture needs to extend its focus on animal welfare and elucidate the regenerative agriculture principles leading to animal welfare.

9.
Front Vet Sci ; 9: 980546, 2022.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36187826

RESUMEN

Overuse of veterinary antibiotics is a risk factor for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a global public health emergency. More than 70% of the antibiotics consumed worldwide are used in farm animals, mainly in poultry and pig herds. Brazil is the fourth largest pork producer globally and the second-largest user of antibiotics in animals. Qualitative research can help understand the complexities around antibiotic use (AMU) in Brazilian pig herds and identify stakeholders' attitudes concerning the rational AMU and AMR in the production chain. This study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitudes of high-level professionals in the animal production chain about AMU and AMR in pig farming, the relationship with pig welfare and AMU in Brazil. We conducted 32 in-depth interviews with individuals active in the pig industry. The majority of the participants considered AMU excessive and inappropriate in pig farms in Brazil. However, attitudes toward a restrictive AMU scenario in Brazilian pig farms were predominantly negative, justified by economic, sanitary and social barriers. These included unsatisfactory management and biosecurity conditions in pig farms that, in their opinion, justify AMU to prevent diseases; issues surrounding prescription and acquisition of veterinary drugs; and employment and income relationships arising from the sale of antibiotics. The views of high-level professionals in the Brazilian livestock chain reveal antibiotics as a structural element that enables pig production. Antibiotics were viewed as essential resources for producing cheap food. Foreign markets were considered the most relevant driver of change in AMU practices rather than pressure from Brazilian consumers. A common belief expressed was that AMR is more associated with the inappropriate AMU in human medicine than in the livestock sector. Resistance to change in these stakeholders may hinder the implementation of future public policies to restrict the use of antibiotics in Brazil. Our findings suggest that successful measures to deal with the AMU/AMR challenges in the pig chain shall not be rooted in personal behavior change. Instead, honest interdisciplinary dialogues and structural changes are needed to define common grounds and a way forward to break the cycle perpetuating antibiotics as structural commodities.

10.
Meat Sci ; 192: 108893, 2022 Oct.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35760024

RESUMEN

Brazil is a main global producer, exporter, and consumer of farm animal products. Information about the knowledge and attitudes of Brazilian citizens and consumers towards the different dimensions of meat production sustainability can support policy discussions and guide the industry to adopt production systems compatible with societal expectations. Here we provide a historical, social, and economic overview of meat production and consumption in Brazil, review the scientific literature on Brazilian public attitudes towards meat production and consumption, and discuss some actions Brazil is taking to develop more sustainable production systems. We show that Brazilians expect affordable meat products with high organoleptic, sanitary, nutritional qualities and produced under high ethical standards. The pace of discussions and changes in policies and in meat production systems needs to accelerate to follow domestic and international demands and the changes in ethical expectations of society. Constructive dialogue between all interested stakeholders, including citizens and consumers, needs to be fostered to design more sustainable meat production systems.


Asunto(s)
Bienestar del Animal , Comportamiento del Consumidor , Animales , Actitud , Brasil , Humanos , Carne
11.
Rev Bras Parasitol Vet ; 31(1): e014021, 2022.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35293429

RESUMEN

This study aimed to evaluate foraging distance (FD) from the dung, parasitological and physiological factors in 18 Crioula Lanada lambs naturally infected by nematodes with three infection levels (IL) in a Voisin Grazing System. In the pre-experimental phase animal feces collection, deworming, observer training, animal adaptation and dung demarcation were carried out; in the experimental phase, grazing distance, feces, pasture and blood sampling. An initial exploratory analysis was carried out (Kruskal-Wallis test). Fixed predictors were selected with a cumulative logit regression model; an ordinal logistic regression mixed model identified influencing factors of ordinal responses for (i) FD, (ii) infective larvae quantity (L3). Animals approached the dung when the radiation or temperature were more intense (P < 0.05). Paddock entry/exit, IgG and L3 influenced FD over time (P < 0.05). L3, in turn, was influenced by IL, FEC and corpuscular volume (CV). In the High IL group, FD varied between 60-100 cm. Greater L3 and FEC were found in the High and Low IL from the 4th week (P < 0.05). Naturally infected Crioula Lanada lambs increased the distance from the dung, which was not related to IL but to the dynamics of solar radiation and parasitological and immunological factors.


Asunto(s)
Nematodos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas , Animales , Reacción de Prevención , Heces/parasitología , Larva , Ovinos , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología
12.
Ciênc. Anim. (Impr.) ; 32(1): 100-114, jan.-mar. 2022. ilus, tab
Artículo en Portugués | VETINDEX | ID: biblio-1401897

RESUMEN

O manejo aversivo de espécies de produção pode ter graves consequências na produtividade, reprodução e bem-estar animal, sendo necessários estudos que visam um bom relacionamento humano-animal (RHA), por meio do toque suave, como uma tentativa de tornar este manejo mais benéfico para seres humanos e animais. Nesse sentido, a massagem feita com as mãos constitui uma nova proposta para melhorar o RHA envolvendo ruminantes domésticos. Sendo assim, os objetivos desta revisão são: (1) compreender a importância de um bom relacionamento entre humanos e ruminantes, incluindo a interação com toque; (2) descrever o impacto da massagem sobre diversos parâmetros relacionados à fisiologia, aos estados emocionais e aos comportamentais em humanos e animais; e (3) propor o uso da técnica Stroking em ruminantes domésticos, como forma de incentivar produtores e tratadores a utilizarem a massagem como um método alternativo para melhorar o RHA. Sabe-se que diferentes estudos e protocolos mostraram a importância do toque na promoção de um bom RHA, além dos diversos impactos da massage. Ainda, ao observar que cabras massageadas com a técnica Stroking apresentaram comportamentos positivos, como lambidas na massagista, constata-se que o incentivo ao estudo da modulação de outros parâmetros, como fisiológicos, zootécnicos e psicológicos, em ruminantes domésticos massageados, é necessário. Assim, a aplicação da massagem relaxante, como uma nova ferramenta para a melhora da interação humano-animal envolvendo ruminantes domésticos, é uma proposta que visa criar uma maior proximidade com os animais, possivelmente influenciando a forma como produtores e cuidadores percebem esses seres sencientes.


The aversive management of farmed species may present serious consequences on productivity, reproduction, and animal welfare. Thus, studies that aim at a good human-animal relationship (HAR) and apply gentle touch, as an attempt to make this management more beneficial for humans and animals are required. In this sense, massage with bare hands is a new proposal to improve HAR with domestic ruminants. Therefore, the objectives of this review are: (1) understand the importance of a good relationship between humans and domestic ruminants, including the interaction of touch; (2) describe the impact of massage on various parameters related to physiology and emotional and behavioral states in humans and animals, and (3) propose the use of the Stroking technique (relaxing massage) in domestic ruminants as a mean to encourage producers and caretakers to use massage as an alternative method to improve HAR. Different studies and protocols have shown the importance of touch in promoting a good HAR, in addition to the various impacts of massage on humans and animals. By demonstrating that goats massaged with the Stroking technique showed positive behaviors like licking the masseur, the importance of encouraging the study of the modulation of other topics such as physiological, zootechnical, and psychological parameters in massaged domestic ruminants is highlighted. Thus, the application of relaxing massage, Stroking, as a new tool for improving human-animal interaction with domestic ruminants is a proposal that aims to create a closer relationship with animals, possibly influencing the way producers and caregivers perceive these sentient beings.


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Animales , Vínculo Humano-Animal , Bienestar del Animal , Masaje/veterinaria , Recompensa
13.
Animals (Basel) ; 12(2)2022 Jan 17.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35049838

RESUMEN

Preventative measures, such as biosecurity and vaccinations, are essential but not sufficient to ensure high standards of health in pig production systems. Restrictive, barren housing and many widely used management practices that cause pain and stress predispose high-performance pigs reared in intensive systems to disease. In this context, antibiotics are used as part of the infrastructure that sustains health and high levels of production in pig farms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emergency affecting human and animal health, and the use of antibiotics (AMU) in intensive livestock farming is considered an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Tackling the issue of AMR demands profound changes in AMU, e.g., reducing their use for prophylaxis and ending it for growth promotion. In support of such recommendations, we revise the link between animal welfare and AMU and argue that it is crucial to sustainably reduce AMU while ensuring that pigs can live happy lives. In support of such recommendations, we aimed to revise the link between animal welfare and AMU in pigs by analysing stress factors related to housing and management and their impact on pig welfare. In particular, we reviewed critical management practices that increase stress and, therefore, pigs' susceptibility to disease and reduce the quality of life of pigs. We also reviewed some alternatives that can be adopted in pig farms to improve animal welfare and that go beyond the reduction in stress. By minimising environmental and management stressors, pigs can become more immunocompetent and prepared to overcome pathogenic challenges. This outcome can contribute to reducing AMU and the risk of AMR while simultaneously improving the quality of life of pigs and, ultimately, maintaining the pig industry's social license.

14.
Rev. bras. parasitol. vet ; 31(1): e014021, 2022. tab, graf
Artículo en Inglés | LILACS, VETINDEX | ID: biblio-1365761

RESUMEN

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate foraging distance (FD) from the dung, parasitological and physiological factors in 18 Crioula Lanada lambs naturally infected by nematodes with three infection levels (IL) in a Voisin Grazing System. In the pre-experimental phase animal feces collection, deworming, observer training, animal adaptation and dung demarcation were carried out; in the experimental phase, grazing distance, feces, pasture and blood sampling. An initial exploratory analysis was carried out (Kruskal-Wallis test). Fixed predictors were selected with a cumulative logit regression model; an ordinal logistic regression mixed model identified influencing factors of ordinal responses for (i) FD, (ii) infective larvae quantity (L3). Animals approached the dung when the radiation or temperature were more intense (P < 0.05). Paddock entry/exit, IgG and L3 influenced FD over time (P < 0.05). L3, in turn, was influenced by IL, FEC and corpuscular volume (CV). In the High IL group, FD varied between 60-100 cm. Greater L3 and FEC were found in the High and Low IL from the 4th week (P < 0.05). Naturally infected Crioula Lanada lambs increased the distance from the dung, which was not related to IL but to the dynamics of solar radiation and parasitological and immunological factors.


Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distância de forrageamento do bolo fecal (DF), fatores parasitológicos e fisiológicos em 18 cordeiros Crioula Lanada, naturalmente infectados por nematoides com três níveis de infecção (NI) em sistema Pastoreio Racional Voisin (PRV). Na fase pré-experimental, houve coleta de fezes dos animais, vermifugação, treinamento de observadores, adaptação dos animais e demarcação do bolo fecal; na fase experimental, distância, fezes, pastagem e sangue. Um modelo de regressão "logit" cumulativa selecionou preditores fixos; um modelo misto de regressão logística ordinal identificou fatores influenciadores das respostas ordinais para (i) DF (ii) quantidade de larva infectante (L3). Os cordeiros se aproximaram do bolo fecal quando a radiação ou temperatura foram mais intensas (P < 0,05). A entrada e a saída dos piquetes, a ingestão de L3 e IgG influenciaram DF (P < 0,05). L3 foi influenciada por NI, OPG e volume corpuscular. O grupo NI Alta variou a distância entre 60-100 cm. Maior L3 e a FEC foram encontrados nos grupos NI Alta e Baixa a partir da 4ª semana (P < 0,05). Cordeiros Crioula Lanada, naturalmente infectados, aumentaram a DF, sem relação com nível, de infecção, mas com a dinâmica da radiação solar e dos fatores parasitológicos e imunológicos.


Asunto(s)
Animales , Enfermedades de las Ovejas/parasitología , Nematodos , Reacción de Prevención , Ovinos , Heces/parasitología , Larva
15.
Animals (Basel) ; 11(12)2021 Dec 02.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34944216

RESUMEN

Farrowing crates are the most common housing for lactating sows throughout the world, despite known public opposition to housing systems that deprive animals' freedom to move. This study aimed to investigate Brazilian citizens' attitudes towards three farrowing housing systems (crates, loose pens, and outdoors). Data were obtained via an online questionnaire containing open- and close-ended questions. Participants' (n = 1171) attitudes were most negative towards the crates and most positive towards outdoor farrowing, and positively correlated with perceived sows' quality of life. Participants overwhelmingly rejected the use of farrowing crates, and most supported a proposal to move from farrowing crates to loose pens, even when informed that this entailed an increased risk of piglets' mortality. Participants' views were underpinned by concerns about sows' freedom of movement, behavioral freedom and naturalness, and the belief that it is possible to develop and manage housing that prevents piglet crushing that does not involve confining the sow. Furthermore, loose farrowing pens may not fully address all concerns expressed by participants regarding farrowing housing, which included the possibility of allowing sows to socialize and express maternal behaviors. We conclude that maintaining farrowing crates may erode the pig industry's social license.

16.
Animals (Basel) ; 11(9)2021 Aug 26.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34573472

RESUMEN

We used an operant conditioning paradigm to test the motivation of non-pregnant dairy heifers to access shade during the summer and autumn months (January to June) in southern Brazil. Dairy heifers (n = 18) were trained to push a weighted gate to access either an experimental area containing both a shaded (simple tree shade and shade cloth) and unshaded area (WITH SHADE) or an experimental area with no shade (BARREN). The latency to push the weighted gate, and the maximum weight pushed by each heifer, were recorded in both the summer and the autumn. Temperature and humidity were recorded continuously for the duration of the study and were used to calculate the heat index. The maximum weight pushed to enter the WITH SHADE area was greater in summer than in autumn, and was inversely related to the latency to push the weighted gate. Heifers refused to work for access to the BARREN environment. As expected, both the maximum ambient temperatures and heat index were higher in summer than in autumn, and also higher in the non-shaded areas than under the shade in both seasons. Heifers of higher social rank displaced other heifers more often, and spent more time in the shaded areas, particularly in the area with trees plus a shade cloth, than the intermediate and subordinate heifers. We conclude that shade is an important and valued resource for heifers reared on pasture-based systems in sub-tropical environments, particularly during the hot summer months.

17.
J Therm Biol ; 97: 102873, 2021 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33863437

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of microclimate on thermal comfort and dairy cows' behavior in different pasture systems during the winter of a subtropical climate. The experiment was carried out in June and August 2020, covering the winter season in the southern hemisphere. Local microclimatic variables and cows' behaviors were compared in two conditions (shaded and sunny), in three pasture systems: silvopastoral system with disperse trees (SPSdisp), silvopastoral system with trees along the border fences (SPSfen), and treeless pasture (TLP). The black globe-humidity index (BGHI) was calculated to measure thermal comfort. During the afternoon the BGHI values were above animal thermal comfort at the sunny condition in the three pasture systems. The lowest average values (p < 0.05) of BGHI and soil surface temperature were recorded in the SPSdisp and SPSfen when compared to TLP. The highest value of soil surface temperature observed in the three systems were: in the sunny condition of the SPSdisp (24.7 °C) and SPSfen (23.1 °C), both between 13:00-14:55; in the TLP (28.5 °C) between 12:00-12:55. The time cows spent on each behavior was different (p < 0.05) among the pasture systems and conditions (shaded and sunny): in both SPSs, cows spent more time lying (resting and rumination) at the sunny condition between 12:00-12:50, and more time standing (resting and ruminating) at the shaded condition between 13:00-13:50. The frequency of drinking water was approximately 33% greater in the TLP than in the SPSs when the BGHI exceeded the comfort threshold (12:00-12:50). In the silvopastoral systems the cows had the option to compensate the heat loss caused by low temperatures staying at the sun; they could also use shade when motivated to do so, either to seek protection from the sun in the middle of the day or to rest.


Asunto(s)
Conducta Animal , Microclima , Estaciones del Año , Agricultura , Animales , Brasil , Bovinos , Ingestión de Líquidos , Femenino , Humedad , Luz Solar , Temperatura , Viento
18.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 10(3)2021 Mar 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33809885

RESUMEN

Stressful management that makes farmed pigs susceptible to infections is associated with high antibiotic use (AMU) and resistance (AMR). Pig farmers are key stakeholders to support the international agenda pushing AMU restrictions. We interviewed 58 pig farmers on AMU/AMR, biosecurity, veterinary assistance, disease prevention and treatment, aiming to understand practices and attitudes towards the AMU/AMR problem. Farmers described a reliance on antibiotics to prevent and treat disease while neglecting biosecurity measures. We identified inappropriate AMU practices (high use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, incorrect dosage or treatment length) and unrestricted access to antibiotics, which encouraged imprudent AMU. Nevertheless, most farmers considered this AMU legitimate to guarantee herd productivity and showed unpreparedness and resistance to changing AMU practices, perceiving limitations (economic, sanitary and inspection) more easily than alternatives to reduce AMU. Agro-industries and foreign markets were mentioned, and internal consumers dismissed as potential motivators for behavioral changes. Importantly, farmers' economic, technical and social factors may limit their autonomy to change practices. We conclude that the observed distancing of pig farmers from the AMU/AMR problem limits the efficiency of policies aiming for a prudent AMU. Our study indicates a need for education, training and behavior change nudging that should include other stakeholders beyond farmers.

20.
Antibiotics (Basel) ; 10(1)2021 Jan 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33435299

RESUMEN

The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of meat consumers (n = 1780) on on-farm management of unhealthy pigs, whether support for treatment with antibiotics varies according with chance of recovery, and the effect of knowledge on the use of antibiotics on these opinions. Most participants believed that the use of antibiotics was the best solution for unhealthy pigs, and this was associated with a low level of knowledge about antibiotics. Increasing the probability of recovery after treatment increased support for treating pigs with antibiotics. However, the majority of participants rejected the consumption of meat from animals housed in "hospital pens". After price, concern with food safety was the second main factor that influenced participants' choice when buying meat. Support for the use of antibiotics to deal with unhealthy pigs in "hospital pens", as well as for consumption of the meat from these animals, was higher among participants involved in agriculture. This shows that consumers are unaware of the potential negative repercussions for animal welfare associated with banning or reducing the use of antibiotics in livestock production, which is an important concern for the industry.

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