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This study was conducted to investigate the effects of castration age on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic efficacy of Hanwoo steers. There is an increasing interest in extending castration age to enhance the yield of desirable traits in beef, e.g. carcass weight and longissimus muscle area. The calves were divided into four groups based on their age at castration. Body length at 12 months increased with increasing castration age (푝 < 0.05). Average daily gain and cold carcass weight were higher in the group castrated at 11–12 months than in the group castrated at <10 months (푝 < 0.05). Marbling scores were higher in the groups castrated at <10 months of age than in the groups castrated at >11 months (푝 < 0.05). The present results suggest that the most appropriate castration age is below 12 months in Hanwoo cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An incubator with a simulated udder was constructed using information on piglet-sensory stimuli preferences. Neonatal piglets were randomly assigned to water in troughs (푛 = 38), milk-replacer (푛 = 36) or bovine-colostrum in simulated udder (푛 = 39). Weight was measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours, and rectal temperature at 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 8 hours. An interaction between time and treatment affected weight change (푝 < 0.001), where all piglets lost weight during the first hour., Piglets with access to water continued loosing weight (82.1 ± 32.8 g over 8 h), milk-replacer-piglets gained 88.6 ± 53.2 g and bovine-colostrum-piglets gained 55.7 ± 66.5 g over 8 h. Overall, piglets with access to the simulated udder gained weight during their first eight hours postpartum. An interaction between temperature at first handling and time (푝 < 0.001) as well as an interaction between time and treatment (푝 < 0.001) affected temperature. Further development of the method could reduce the need for nurse sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study included 6 groups of 6 pregnant ewes with a change-over design. In period 1 group 1, 2 and 3 had access to the water nipples and group 4, 5 and 6 had access to water bowls and vice versa in period 2. In period 3 all six groups had access to both types of water dispensers. The ewes' water intake was significantly higher when drinking only from water nipples (3.27 ± 0.29 l/ewe and day) than only from water bowls (2.04 ± 0.22 l/ewe and day) (F = 78.28, P < 0.001). The water wastage for nipples was 36% of water usage and negligible for bowls. When offered both dispensers the ewes' water intake tended to be higher from water nipples (t = 0.69, P < 0.10), and there seemed to be no specific preference for water nipples or bowls in ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the post-weaning effect of providing additional objects (i.e. rope, ball, tyre) to commercial piglets given straw pre- and post-weaning on behaviour and average daily gain (ADG). Piglets from litters with objects (O, n = 20 in 5 litters) and controls (C, n = 20 in 5 litters) were observed from 24 h post-weaning and during six days. Piglets were weighed at birth, weaning and 11 days post-weaning. O-piglets performed less littermate manipulation (P < 0.05), exploring pen fixtures (P < 0.1) and lying (P < 0.1) but spent more time in the creep post-weaning than C-piglets (P < 0.1). Social or locomotor play was expressed similarly in both treatments. Day strongly influenced the behaviour of pigs post-weaning. O-piglets had significantly lower pre-weaning ADG than C-piglets (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in post-weaning ADG between the treatments. Providing objects to piglets around weaning may reduce some negative behaviours, but may affect weight gain negatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated individual differences in dunging patterns in loose-housed lactating sows. Farrowing pens were divided into six sectors and in study 1 each sector was given a dung score from 0 (no manure) to 3 (≥2 deposits). There were significant positive correlations between dung score and the weight of manure within sectors. In study 2, pen cleanliness was scored in 24 farrowing pens for loose-housed sows on three consecutive days in weeks 3, 4 and 5 of lactation (9 observations). One-third of the sows received a dung score of 0 for the solid floor area, in seven to nine of the observations. These sows could be categorized as ‘clean’ sows. However, 46% of sows scored 0 in the solid floor area for less than two observations, and these sows could be categorized as ‘dirty’ sows. Overall, older parity sows were ‘cleaner’ than gilts and mid-parity sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This literature review documents behavioural differences in organic and conventional sheep and goats in Norway. Increased indoor space results in increased lying time, more synchronized lying behaviour, less displacements and higher milk yield in sheep, and increased lying time and lower frequency of agonistic behaviour in goats. Sheep and goats spend 45–50% of their time outdoors when given access to an outdoor yard during winter. Under normal thermal conditions, fully fleeced sheep do not need solid floors of welfare reasons in Norway. Neither do dairy goats in insulated buildings. The significance of different milk feeding strategies in goat kids is poorly documented, but studies on lambs and calves show that suckling increases the growth rate, gives better social competence and more exploratory behaviour. Thus, the organic regulations in Norwegian sheep and goat production have some positive impact on behavioural indicators of sheep and goat welfare, especially during winter housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this simulator is to predict voluntary feed intake based on the effects of temperature and stocking density. The model indicates the limiting factors relative to diet (protein, energy or ash), housing environmental conditions and stocking density. The concepts of compensatory protein growth, correction of lipid growth, the desired feed intake to meet energy, protein and ash requirements, and influences of stocking density, genotype and sex are also introduced in this model. This study draws a flow chart and steps to predict feed intake of a growing pig to make it clear how the model works. The model simulates the outcomes of feed intake, energy and protein requirements for maintenance, the energy cost for cold thermogenesis, and protein and lipid retention on a daily basis until slaughter weight. This model was also validated by comparison with published experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Twelve litters were offered nipple drinkers (NIPPLE treatment) as the only source of water after weaning at 32-35 days of age, and 12 litters were offered water from a water bowl (BOWL treatment). Water usage was measured using water meters and blood samples were taken from four randomly selected piglets from each of eight. The water intake was similar in the two treatments for days 1-3 and days 4-7, but significantly higher in the NIPPLE treatment for days 8-14 (P<0.05). Daily gain was higher (P<0.05) in the NIPPLE treatment. The water quality was much better in the NIPPLE treatment, especially on days 7 and 9. Plasma osmolality was higher in the NIPPLE treatment at day 1, but at day 5 osmolality was highest in the BOWL treatment. We conclude that water supply from nipple drinkers is a better alternative for weaned piglets because of higher water intake, better water quality, and improved daily gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at assessing the status of animal welfare in Austria and Germany as it is regulated by private, national, and European animal welfare legislation. In order to achieve this, an inventory of existing private and state-driven animal welfare certification schemes that are relevant for fattening pigs in Austria and Germany is done, and the overlap between legislative and private certification requirements for animal welfare analyzed. The paper's methodological contribution lies in the development of an assessment approach based on the Austrian 'Animal Needs Index' that allows the evaluation of minimum farm animal welfare standards without expensive and time-consuming on-farm measures. The comparison of legislative and private certification scheme pig standards indicate slight differences between the minimum animal welfare obligations of certification schemes existent in Austria and Germany whereas the reviewed Austrian scheme obligations show in general more diversification from the evaluated legislative standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis of reduced social activity of early lactating dairy cows when transferred postpartally to a separated barn section (S, group size 9.3 SD 2.1) vs. to a barn section of the main lactating herd (H, group size 130.1 SD 57.9) was tested. Social interactions of 12 cows in S and 14 cows in H were directly observed during the first three hours after transfer. Results (mean frequency per cow and hour) for S-cows vs. H-cows: fewer non-agonistic interactions (S=15.1±5.4; H=31.1±4.5, P=0.01), thereof sniffing (S=13.0±5.1; H=29.0±4.2, P=0.007), a tendency of less threatening (S=2.8±1.2; H=5.2±1.0, P=0.07) and numerically fewer agonistic interactions (S=6.3±2.6; H=10.3±2.2, P=0.15). The reduced activity level found may indicate a less social stress level for early lactating dairy cows being transferred to a separated barn section with small group size-findings that are of distinct importance for these cows which are additionally physiologically challenged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared performance, behaviour and immune status of Ayrshire bulls raised in different housing environments in Northern Finland. Thirty bulls were allotted to one of three treatments: uninsulated barn (UB bulls, five animals/pen, two pens), forest paddock (PAD bulls, five animals/PAD, two PADs) and tie-stall in an insulated barn (IB bulls, 10 animals in individual stalls). The daily gain tended to be higher in the IB bulls than in the PAD bulls. Energy intake of the UB and PAD bulls was higher but the feed conversion rate was worse than that of the IB bulls. The time budgets and diurnal rhythms of the UB and PAD bulls were quite similar. The measures of immune (IgG) status indicate that the hygiene of the bulls' surroundings decreased in summer, especially in the IB. Our study indicates that dairy bulls can be overwintered outdoors in Northern Finland without warm housing facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this experiment was to compare behaviour of piglets weaned and mixed at 21±1 (W21, n=81) or 43±1 (W43, n=70) days of age. Piglets were observed two days before weaning (D-2), just after weaning and mixing (D0) and 24 hours later (D1). Time spent feeding was lower on D0 compared to D1 in both treatment, but was lower in W21 than in W43 piglets (P<0.05). On D0, W21 piglets were less active than W43 piglets (P<0.001). Accordingly, between D-2 and D0, W43 piglets increased (P<0.001) time spent in aggression, exploration and locomotion. Conversely, W21 piglets were more active than W43 piglets on D1 (P<0.01). Timing of behaviour relative to weaning day differed between treatments; W21 piglets were more apathetic than W43 piglets just after weaning indicating a delay in the reaction of younger piglets to weaning and mixing. W21 piglets also had a greater and longer decrease in post-weaning eating incidence than W43 piglets, which is likely due to both older age and previous creep feed experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the adaptation of sows to housing in interaction with ambient temperature. Seventy primiparous sows were used to compare the effect of housing sows in a standard farrowing crate (STD) or a modified farrowing pen system (MOD) on sow activity, space use and nursing behaviour at 21 °C or 29 °C. The MOD pen consisted of a STD crate with a back area where the sows could access by backing up into. This area was equipped with rubber mats, a feeder and a water nipple which they could use to moisten the floor. Sows in the MOD pens spent more than 85% of their time in the back area, were more active and had fewer non-productive nursings in late lactation than the sows in STD crates. This new farrowing pen design improved the behavioural expression of the sows irrespective of temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether feeding cows are disturbed by butting of other cows during the time they are in a concentrate self-feeder, and whether this leads to concentrate leftovers. Forty dairy cows were observed while visiting two self-feeders. If a cow was butted visiting the self-feeder, it was considered as ‘disturbed visit’. When retreating from the feeder within five seconds after being butted, the visit was also considered ‘interrupted’. Half of the visits were disturbed, and 42% of visits were also interrupted. Visits were disturbed particularly when cows’ own feed was dispensed, and in 63% of disturbed visits concentrates were left over. The non-lactating cows, denied concentrates, won leftover concentrates after butting the previous visitor more often than lactating cows. Cows’ weight correlated negatively with visiting and receiving butting. Initiated butting correlated positively with winning leftover concentrates. There is a need for further development of automatic feeders to secure individual concentrate feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]