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Edited by world-renowned animal scientist Dr Temple Grandin, this book integrates scientific research and industry literature on cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, deer, and horses, in both the developed and developing world, to provide a practical guide to humane handling and minimizing animal stress. Reviewing the latest research on transport systems, restraint methods and facilities for farms and slaughterhouses, this new edition expands on new developments in the field, as well as covering the integration of and potential welfare benefits and costs of technological advances such as virtual fencing. An important read for animal scientists, animal welfare researchers and practitioners, and veterinarians, this straightforward text is also a valuable resource for stock-people and farmers.

It is widely recognised that developments in the chick embryo have a profound effect on hatchability and the subsequent health and productive capacity of poultry. With a stronger focus on welfare, prevention of disease and more sustainable poultry production, understanding these early stages has never been more crucial. Embryo development and hatchery practice in poultry production addresses the key stages and factors in embryo development in poultry to optimise hatchability and chick health. The book reviews the role of parental and environmental factors on embryo development and skeletal growth, as well as the use of feed extracts and probiotics to improve chick growth and boost immune function. The book also reviews the effects of incubation on chick health and development, including factors such as temperature, light exposure and humidity. Through focussed and authoritative discussions, the book details best practices for managing a hatchery environment to ensure that chick welfare, health and productive capacity are optimized. Edited by one of the most notable names in the field, Embryo development and hatchery practice in poultry production will be a standard reference for poultry scientists, breeders, government and private sector agencies supporting sustainable poultry production.

Preslaughter handling and slaughter of meat animals'is unique because it covers the entire period of preslaughter period and slaughter, and its effects on the welfare of multiple species destined for meat production. Several chapters describe the current knowledge on all welfare topics from pre-transport preparation at the farm to stunning and slaughter, and the assessment of animal welfare and stress through physiological, behavioural and meat and carcass quality measures. Other chapters cover new and important topics, such as mobile slaughter and preslaughter handling, and slaughter of non-traditional meat species. This unique and comprehensive work is written by internationally renowned experts and accomplished scientists in the field, who are engaged in active research laboratories and who have demonstrated their devotion to animal care and welfare. This work will be of interest and relevance to animal scientists, academics, students, animal welfare and industry associations, policy makers, veterinarians, livestock and poultry chain stakeholders, and all those involved in and who care about the humane handling of meat species.

Diseases remain a significant burden to poultry production and its future. Whilst it is widely recognised that vaccines have a major role in inducing protection, they can only be considered as part of the solution to this growing problem. Recent research efforts have focussed on developing effective preventative measures that reduce the risk of disease outbreaks in flocks. Optimising poultry flock health reviews the wealth of recent research on the mechanisms of transmission for infectious diseases, such as Avian Influenza (AI), and how our understanding of this transmission can be used to improve poultry flock health. This collection considers how improved surveillance, testing, diagnostics and nutritional strategies can be used as preventative measures, as well as how bird health can be optimised at the differing stages of production.

With rising consumer concerns about the welfare of farm animals, such as chickens, there is a growing urgency for the livestock production sector to ensure that welfare standards are met throughout the supply chain, from breeding to slaughter.Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens offers a comprehensive summary on the wealth of recent research completed on understanding chicken behaviour and discusses how best to use this rich body of knowledge to optimise welfare management of broilers and layers. This collection features expert insights into the use of wearable, video and acoustic technologies as a means of monitoring behaviour, as well as improving current welfare protocols.With its distinguished editor and team of leading experts in their fields, Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens will be a standard text for university researchers in poultry and veterinary science as well as ethology. The book will also be an authoritative reference for government and other agencies responsible for the poultry sector and farm animal welfare, as well as companies involved in rearing chickens and processing poultry meat and eggs.

The increasing human population, growing income and urbanization worldwide creates a rapidly growing demand for livestock products. Not only quantity matters, sustainable production is getting increasingly important. To maximize efficiency and minimize the environmental footprint of livestock products, one needs to deeply understand animal biology. Knowledge in animal sciences, particularly in farm animal nutrition, is vital to meet those demands, and that is where this book can help. This book focusses on combining basic and applied research and its implications on energy and protein nutrition and metabolism. Relevant topics are presented and discussed in detail. The most important issues are: sustainable use of energy and protein in animal nutrition, new feeds, dietary additives, feed processing methods, mitochondrial and amino acids kinetics. Effects of heat stress, sanitary challenges, and feeding behaviour on energy metabolism, and methods and modelling approaches applied to animal nutrition are also part of the book. This makes ‘Energy and protein metabolism and nutrition'an excellent source of knowledge for those who would like take animal nutrition into the future.

To meet growing demand, the FAO has estimated that world poultry production needs to grow by 2-3% per year to 2030. Much of the increase in output already achieved has been as a result of improvements in commercial breeds combined with rearing in more intensive production systems. However, more intensive systems have increased the risk of transmission of animal diseases and zoonoses. Consumer expectations of sensory and nutritional quality have also never been higher. At the same time consumers are more concerned about the environmental impact of poultry production as well as animal welfare. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research on poultry health and welfare. Part 1 begins by reviewing the range of diseases and other health issues affecting poultry. It then goes on to discuss ways of preventing and managing disease such as breeding, and means of attenuating the immune system. The second part of the book discusses welfare issues such as management of breeding flocks, housing, transport and humane slaughter techniques. Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat Volume 3: Health and welfare will be a standard reference for poultry and food scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in poultry production. It is accompanied by two further volumes which review safety, quality and sustainability as well as poultry breeding and nutrition.