17 results on '"Rebecca E. Doyle"'
Search Results
2. The Status of Pig Welfare in Selected Districts of Uganda: Implications for Health and Productivity Interventions
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Michel M. Dione, Peter Oba, Zachary Nsadha, Kassahun Asmare, Theodore J. D. Knight-Jones, and Rebecca E. Doyle
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growers ,piglets ,sows ,animal welfare ,health ,research for development ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 - Abstract
We conducted a pig welfare survey in four high pig producing districts in central Uganda, namely Masaka, Mukono, Mpigi, and Wakiso in 2021. Data were collected from 270 pig farms, and a total of 3,561 pigs, and consisted of resource-based (housing and water supply), animal-based (pig body condition and physical injuries), and management-based (records of morbidity and mortality) indicators of pig health and welfare. Data on animal and resource-based indicators were obtained from physical assessments of pigs and farm facilities, while management indicators and demographic details were collected by farmer interview. Across all farms, sow mortality in the last 12 months was reported to be 2.5% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.7, 4.8%). Animal-based indicators identified 9% (6.1, 13.7%) of sows with scouring/diarrhea, 7.6% (4.7, 11.5%) with lameness and 92% (85.1, 96.7%) of dry or lactating sows were found to be “skinny” with a body condition score of 1 or 2. In addition, piglet mortality was as high as 10.2% (8.5, 12.9%). A total of 19% of sows were partially or completely restricted from free movement inside pens. Ninety-three per cent of sows had continuous access to water, but only 48.8% of the water supplies were clean. Twenty per cent of farms reported sows experiencing stillbirths , 15% reported ill thrift, 12.5% reported respiratory disease and 10.8% reported gastrointestinal disease. Wakiso district registered the lowest pig mortality which was significantly lower compared to the other three districts. This study reveals that Ugandan pigs are exposed to severe undernutrition, dirty water, high mortality, physical injuries, poor housing, and health challenges (stillbirth, ill thrift, and Gastrointestinal disorders). Meaningful change to farmer livelihoods and pig welfare can be made by designing simple interventions that target improve housing structures, provision of cooling facilities especially during hot periods (heat stress) and bedding materials. The findings also represent a benchmark for the assessment of the effect of such interventions designed to improve farm health and productivity.
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Animal-Based Welfare Assessment of Cattle and Water Buffalo in Bangladeshi Slaughterhouses
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Jahirul Islam, Ridoan Pasha, Rebecca E. Doyle, Al Amin, Amir Hossan Shaikat, and M. R. Alam
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Male ,Bangladesh ,Veterinary medicine ,Buffaloes ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Carotid arteries ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Stunning ,Unconsciousness ,Animal Welfare ,Road transport ,Animal welfare ,Water buffalo ,Animals ,Medicine ,Cattle ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Livestock ,business ,Welfare ,Abattoirs ,media_common - Abstract
This study quantified the welfare of 423 cattle and water buffalo in four Bangladeshi slaughterhouses to identify facility and species-specific factors that influence welfare. The majority of animals arrived at the slaughterhouse with injuries, signs of dehydration and oculo-nasal discharge. During slaughter, buffalo experienced more stabbing at the throat (21%), compared to local cattle (10%, P = 0.011), and significantly more cuts to the neck during slaughter (5.1 ± 1) than Hariana (3.9 ± 1) or local cattle (3.6 ± 1.1; P < 0.001). These results indicated that welfare compromise is common to all species, but that the risk to buffalo was greater. Partial severing of carotid arteries was common and affected time to unconsciousness. There was a statistical interaction between facility and species on the time taken for animals to reach unconsciousness, suggesting that welfare within a location could be improved; however, animal welfare was compromised at all facilities. Immediate welfare improvements could be made by training for effective halal slaughter, and future welfare improvements could be gained by improved facility infrastructure for restraint and halal approved pre-slaughter stunning.
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- 2019
4. Cognitive Enrichment in Practice: A Survey of Factors Affecting Its Implementation in Zoos Globally
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David McGill, Belinda A. Hall, Rebecca E. Doyle, and Sally L. Sherwen
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cognition ,General Veterinary ,barriers to adoption ,Veterinary medicine ,Cognition ,Animal husbandry ,captive vertebrate management ,Article ,Animal groups ,Practice change ,QL1-991 ,Animal welfare ,Environmental health ,SF600-1100 ,animal enrichment ,%22">Fish ,Animal Science and Zoology ,practice change ,Psychology ,Zoology - Abstract
Simple Summary Cognitive enrichment gives animals the opportunity to challenge themselves and control aspects of their environment through problem solving. Despite the known benefits of giving captive animals cognitive enrichment, not much is known about how it is used in zoos. This survey found that staff within zoos think that cognitive enrichment is very important for the welfare of animals. However, its use is not widespread. While some animal groups like carnivores commonly receive cognitive enrichment, animals like fish and reptiles are overlooked. Time and financial support were found to be common factors that had a high impact on the use of cognitive enrichment, while zookeeper interest was said to be important for its success. Findings suggest that animal keepers, who are most often involved in enrichment programs, need to be better supported to deliver cognitive enrichment. Enrichment programs need to be prioritized with the creation of job roles specifically for enrichment or increased time and training given to keepers to carry out these duties. Abstract Information on the practical use of cognitive enrichment in zoos is scarce. This survey aimed to identify where cognitive enrichment is being used while identifying factors that may limit its implementation and success. Distributed in eight languages to increase global range, responses to this survey (n = 177) show that while agreement on what constitutes cognitive enrichment is poor, it is universally perceived as very important for animal welfare. Carnivores were the animal group most reported to receive cognitive enrichment (76.3%), while amphibians and fish the least (16.9%). All animal groups had a percentage of participants indicating animal groups in their facility were not receiving cognitive enrichment when they believe that they should (29.4–44.6%). On average, factors relating to time and finance were rated most highly in terms of effect on cognitive enrichment use, and keeper interest was the highest rated for effect on success. Results of this study indicate that cognitive enrichment is perceived as important. However, placing the responsibility of its development and implementation on animal keepers who are already time-poor may be impeding its use. A commitment to incorporating cognitive enrichment into routine husbandry, including financial support and investment into staff is needed from zoos to ensure continued improvement to captive animal welfare.
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- 2021
5. Positive attitudes, positive outcomes: The relationship between farmer attitudes, management behaviour and sheep welfare
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Carolina A. Munoz, Rebecca E. Doyle, Angus J.D. Campbell, Grahame J Coleman, and Paul H Hemsworth
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Male ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Social Sciences ,Logistic regression ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Diagnostic Radiology ,0403 veterinary science ,Deworming ,Pregnancy ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Ultrasound Imaging ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Psychology ,Animal Husbandry ,media_common ,Animal Management ,Mammals ,Multidisciplinary ,Farmers ,Radiology and Imaging ,Management styles ,Eukaryota ,Agriculture ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Ruminants ,Animal husbandry ,Middle Aged ,Professions ,Vertebrates ,Medicine ,Agricultural Workers ,Livestock ,Female ,Research Article ,Farms ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Imaging Techniques ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Science ,Sheep Diseases ,Animal Welfare ,Research and Analysis Methods ,Signs and Symptoms ,Diagnostic Medicine ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Humans ,Behavior ,Optimism ,Sheep ,business.industry ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Organisms ,Biology and Life Sciences ,Odds ratio ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Amniotes ,People and Places ,Lesions ,Population Groupings ,business ,Welfare ,Demography - Abstract
This study examined the relationships between the attitudes and the management behaviour of the farmer and the on-farm welfare of their ewes. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating these relationships in extensive sheep farming systems. Thirty-two sheep farmers and 6200 ewes were sampled across Victoria, Australia. Questionnaire interviews and on-farm animal welfare assessments were conducted. The ewes were assessed at two-time points, mid-pregnancy and weaning. To examine relationships between farmer and ewe variables, categorical principal component analyses, correlations and logistic regressions were used. The main findings of this study indicate relationships between farmer attitudes and management behaviour, consistent with findings from other more intensive livestock industries. Farmers were more likely to check the body condition of their ewes (Odds ratio = 2.37, P = 0.03), perform ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis (Odds ratio = 1.16, P = 0.02) and test for egg count before deworming sheep (Odds ratio = 2.88, P = 0.01) if they perceived these activities were important/valuable. In addition, farmers that performed these activities had a more active management style, and ewes in better welfare: fewer lame ewes at mid-pregnancy (r = -0.38 P = 0.04), and fewer ewes in need of further care at mid-pregnancy and weaning respectively (r = -0.47, P = 0.01; r = -0.50, P = 0.01). When combining the qualitative and quantitative analyses, behavioural attitudes (attitudes towards specific management behaviours) and perceived behavioural control (perceived barriers to performing the behaviour) emerged as the two main drivers underpinning farmer management behaviour. The results of this study indicate that the way farmers manage their ewes influences welfare outcomes, and management decisions are influenced by attitudes towards management practices. These findings demonstrate the opportunity to create change in farmer management behaviour and improve sheep welfare via targeted education programs.
- Published
- 2019
6. Evaluating the welfare of extensively managed sheep
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Carolina A. Munoz, Rebecca E. Doyle, Paul H Hemsworth, and Angus J.D. Campbell
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Social Sciences ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,0403 veterinary science ,Sociology ,Animal Products ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Medicine ,Animal Husbandry ,Welfare (Social Security) ,media_common ,Animal Management ,Mammals ,Multidisciplinary ,Wool ,Eukaryota ,Agriculture ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Ruminants ,Animal husbandry ,Breed ,Professions ,Lameness ,Vertebrates ,Agricultural Workers ,Livestock ,Social Welfare ,Research Article ,Farms ,040301 veterinary sciences ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Science ,Political Science ,Sheep Diseases ,Public Policy ,Animal Welfare ,Signs and Symptoms ,Diagnostic Medicine ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Sheep ,business.industry ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Australia ,Organisms ,Biology and Life Sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Amniotes ,People and Places ,Lesions ,Population Groupings ,Flock ,business ,Welfare ,Demography - Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify the main on-farm welfare issues likely to be encountered in extensive sheep farming systems. Thirty-two commercial sheep farms in Victoria, Australia were involved in this study. Of the 32 farms involved, 30 were visited twice (at mid-pregnancy and weaning), and 2 farms only once (both at weaning). In total, 62 visits were conducted and 6,200 ewes (aged 2-5 years) were examined using six animal-based indicators: body condition score (BCS), fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score and lameness. In addition, the number of ewes that needed further care (such as sick or injured sheep) was recorded and reported to the farmers. Generalised linear mixed models were conducted to investigate associations between welfare outcomes and visit, ewe breed and location, with all three, and their interactions, as fixed factors. In all instances, farm was set as a random factor to account for specific variation between farms. Overall, the welfare of the ewe flocks, based on the six indicators measured, was considered good. A total of 86.9% of the ewes were in adequate BCS (2.5-3.5), 91% had good fleece condition, 69.2% had no skin lesions, 97.1% had low dag scores, and overall lameness was 4.7%. An important and prevalent risk to welfare identified across farms was short tail length; with 85.7% of ewes having tails docked shorter than the third palpable joint. While the welfare of the flock was good, ewes in need of further care were identified at all farms. There were 185 (3.0%) cases needing further care, and the extent of welfare compromise of these animals was considered significant. Main reasons for further care were moderate/severe lameness or foot-related issues, BCS ≤ 2 and active dermatophilosis or broken wool. To our knowledge, this study constitutes the largest assessment of ewes conducted in Australia, and the findings provide valuable insight into the main welfare issues likely to be encountered in extensive sheep farming enterprises. Future studies should develop practical technologies that can assist in the detection of the welfare issues identified in this study. In addition, the thresholds identified here could be used for future comparison and sheep welfare benchmarking programs to assess farm performance and measure continuous improvements.
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- 2018
7. Investigating the welfare, management and human-animal interactions of cattle in four Indonesian abattoirs
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Rebecca E. Doyle, Paul H Hemsworth, Grahame J Coleman, W. Ramdani, David McGill, and M. Reed
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Human animal ,Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Audit ,040401 food science ,040201 dairy & animal science ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,language.human_language ,Indonesian ,0404 agricultural biotechnology ,Environmental health ,Animal welfare ,Scale (social sciences) ,language ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Livestock ,business ,Welfare ,Management practices ,media_common - Abstract
This study reports novel information on the animal handling, management and human-animal interactions in Indonesian cattle abattoirs. The slaughter of 304 cattle was observed and there was a high percentage of re-stuns in all abattoirs (range: 8-18.9%) when compared to a variety of international auditing guidelines. The average stun-to-neck cut time was within international recommendations (average: 9 s; range: 4-15 s). Time spent in lairage varied between animals and facilities and was compliant with international guidelines. Handling times were extremely variable (2 s-23 min 40s), but were only weakly correlated with a variety of handler techniques including the total number of handler interactions (sum of visual, auditory and tactile interactions, suggesting that long handling time does not increase handler interactions. There was a moderate correlation between the subjective handling scale and most of the objective behaviours, indicating that this may be a useful way to summarise handler behaviour in future assessments. The current study provides novel information about animal welfare in Indonesian abattoirs and highlights that management practices at the four abattoirs generally comply with international standards. The results also suggest that the subjective handling scale was moderately associated with the frequency of handler interactions, and so may be a useful measure of handler behaviour.
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- 2016
8. Knowledge and attitudes are important factors in farmers’ choice of lamb tail docking length
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Carolina A. Munoz, Lauren M. Hemsworth, Rebecca E. Doyle, Madeleine Eloise Woodruff, and Grahame J Coleman
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Adult ,Male ,Tail ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Victoria ,Health knowledge ,Animal Welfare ,Choice Behavior ,Amputation, Surgical ,Docking (dog) ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,DOCK ,Animals ,Humans ,Lack of knowledge ,Qualitative Research ,Aged ,Farmers ,Sheep ,General Veterinary ,Health consequences ,Short tail ,General Medicine ,Focus Groups ,Middle Aged ,Focus group ,Female ,Psychology ,Demography - Abstract
Background Tail docking is common practice in the sheep industry to prevent soiling of the breech and flystrike. To ensure optimal healing after tail docking and reduce the risk of arthritis, perineal cancers and prolapses, it is recommended to dock tails equivalent to the length of the vulva. However, recent studies have found that some tails are docked too short (24–86 per cent). Methods To address this issue, this study aimed to identify key drivers behind tail docking length decisions. Two focus groups, phone (n=30) and online surveys (n=21) were conducted in regional Victoria, Australia to examine farmer knowledge of and attitudes towards appropriate lamb tail length and barriers to best practice. The focus group data were analysed qualitatively, and the surveys were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results In total, 57 per cent of farmers were classed as docking tails short. Short tail docking appeared to be influenced by unawareness of the recommended length and docking at a length that shearers approve of. Other potential factors included lack of knowledge of negative health consequences associated with short tails, importance placed on dag and flystrike prevention, and impracticality of measuring where to dock. Conclusion Addressing these factors in future education and intervention programmes may improve tail docking practice and sheep welfare.
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- 2020
9. Stakeholder Perceptions of Welfare Issues and Indicators for Extensively Managed Sheep in Australia
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Grahame J Coleman, Rebecca E. Doyle, Geoff N. Hinch, and Amanda K. Doughty
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animal welfare ,attitudes ,gender ,general public ,producers ,survey ,welfare indicators ,welfare issues ,media_common.quotation_subject ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Animal-assisted therapy ,Article ,Animal welfare ,medicine ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Socioeconomics ,media_common ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,05 social sciences ,Environmental resource management ,0402 animal and dairy science ,Stakeholder ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Animal husbandry ,Service provider ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Agriculture ,HUBzero ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Psychology ,Welfare - Abstract
Simple Summary This survey was designed as the first step in the development of a welfare assessment framework with the aim of identifying potential causes of welfare compromise and useful indicators for sheep in extensive Australian production systems. We asked the general public, sheep producers, service providers and sheep industry related scientists to provide their thoughts on the importance of a range of sheep welfare issues and possible key indicators. All respondents thought sheep welfare was adequate but that improvement was desired. Issues perceived to cause the most risk to sheep related to factors influenced by the environment (i.e., nutrition and food supply), heat stress and lameness while key indicators useful to assess welfare were nutrition and food availability, mortality/management issues, pain and fear related indicators, and numbers of illness/injuries. Women and the general public perceived all issues and indicators to be more important than other groups of respondents. These results highlight the need to consult a wide range of stakeholders in order to develop a broadly acceptable assessment system. Abstract An online survey was designed to form the basis of a framework for the welfare assessment of extensively managed sheep in Australia. The survey focused on welfare compromise and useful welfare indicators. A total of 952 people completed the survey in its entirety, representing four stakeholder groups: Public (53.6%), Producer (27.4%), Scientist (9.9%), and Service provider (9.1%). Animal welfare was considered to be important by all participating groups in this survey (average score of 3.78/4). Respondents felt the welfare of grazing sheep was generally adequate but improvement was desired (2.98/5), with female members of the public rating sheep welfare significantly worse than other respondents (p < 0.05). Environmental issues were considered to pose the greatest risk to welfare (3.87/5), followed by heat stress (3.79), lameness (3.57) and husbandry practices (3.37). Key indicators recognised by all respondents were those associated with pain and fear (3.98/5), nutrition (4.23), mortality/management (4.27), food on offer (4.41) and number of illness/injures in a flock (4.33). There were gender and stakeholder differences in the perceived importance of both welfare issues and indicators with women and the public consistently rating issues (all p < 0.01) and indicators (all p < 0.05) to be of greater significance than other respondents. These results highlight the importance of including all stakeholders and an even balance of genders when developing a welfare framework that can address both practical and societal concerns.
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- 2017
- Full Text
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10. The Influence of Workplace Learning on Attitudes toward Animal Welfare in Veterinary Students
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Rebecca E. Doyle, Sarah Pollard-Williams, and Rafael Freire
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Male ,Students, Health Occupations ,Veterinary medicine ,Attitude of Health Personnel ,media_common.quotation_subject ,education ,Empathy ,Animal Welfare ,Education ,Workplace learning ,Young Adult ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Humans ,Learning ,Veterinary education ,Workplace ,Curriculum ,Female students ,media_common ,General Veterinary ,Extramural ,General Medicine ,Scale (social sciences) ,Female ,New South Wales ,Education, Veterinary ,Psychology - Abstract
Several studies suggest that veterinary students' empathy for animals declines during the years spent at university, yet the factors responsible for this change are not well understood. This study focused on the influence of workplace learning (WPL) on veterinary students' empathy for animals. WPL comprises off-campus placements and is common to all veterinary degree programs. A survey of 150 veterinary students at Charles Sturt University was conducted using an established animal-empathy scale. In general, our findings supported previous studies that empathy for animals declines between the first and fifth year and is lower in male students than in female students. Our findings indicated that specific factors relating to WPL such as pre-clinical extramural studies and clinical placements significantly influenced the students' beliefs on animal welfare. The findings presented here suggest that closer examination of the impact of WPL within the veterinary curricula is important to understanding students' changes in empathy for animals and the development of ethical principles in veterinary education.
- Published
- 2014
11. Managing animal wellbeing: a preliminary survey of pig farmers
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Rebecca E. Doyle, Rebecca Wilson, P. K. Holyoake, and Greg M. Cronin
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Veterinary medicine ,Behavior, Animal ,Victoria ,General Veterinary ,Swine ,business.industry ,Pain relief ,Pain ,General Medicine ,Pain management ,Animal husbandry ,Animal Welfare ,Heat Stress Disorders ,Health Surveys ,Physiological responses ,Heat stress ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Environmental health ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Pain Management ,Medicine ,Animal Husbandry ,business - Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To gather information on producers' perceptions and management strategies towards the detection, alleviation of pain and management of sick, injured and heat-stressed pigs. METHODS: A total of 16 Victorian pig farmers completed a face-to-face questionnaire consisting of 9 open and 26 closed questions regarding their detection and management of sick, injured and heat-stressed pigs and their perceptions of pigs' tolerance to pain. RESULTS: We identified 15 behavioural and physiological indicators of pain and heat stress. Treatment records were kept more often for weaned progeny and lactating sows than for piglets and mated sows. Most producers felt that pigs suffered little pain from routine husbandry procedures and that pain relief was not warranted in those situations. Castration at 10 days of age was the only procedure considered by producers to be very painful. There were inconsistencies in approaches to treating pigs in three case studies of animals with sickness or injury of varying severity. Meloxicam was stated as the most common anti-inflammatory drug used on-farm. A small proportion of farmers incorrectly identified antibiotics as anti-inflammatory drugs. All producers had at least one cooling system in place for preventing heat stress in pigs. CONCLUSIONS: The farmers in this survey group generally relied on behavioural changes in pigs to signal pain and heat stress. Although producers kept treatment records and used hospital pens for compromised pigs, our results suggest that the monitoring of pigs' recovery could be improved. Producers generally have a good understanding of the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to aid recovery of pigs.
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- 2014
12. Attention bias to threat indicates anxiety differences in sheep
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Caroline Lee, Rebecca E. Doyle, Melissa Bateson, and Else Verbeek
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Anxiety states ,media_common.quotation_subject ,threat perception ,Attentional bias ,Biology ,Anxiety ,Piperazines ,animal welfare ,Attentional Bias ,Dogs ,Anti-Anxiety Agents ,vigilance ,medicine ,Animals ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Sheep, Domestic ,media_common ,Diazepam ,05 social sciences ,0402 animal and dairy science ,affective states ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Fear ,Feeding Behavior ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous) ,Cognitive bias ,Serotonin Receptor Agonists ,Animal Behaviour ,Female ,Animal studies ,medicine.symptom ,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences ,medicine.drug ,Vigilance (psychology) ,Clinical psychology - Abstract
Humans and animals show increased attention towards threatening stimuli when they are in increased states of anxiety. The few animal studies that have examined this phenomenon, known as attention bias, have applied environmental manipulations to induce anxiety but the effects of drug-induced anxiety levels on attention bias have not been demonstrated. Here, we present an attention bias test to identify high and low anxiety states in sheep using pharmacological manipulation. Increased anxiety was induced using 1-methyl-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) and decreased anxiety with diazepam, and then we examined the behaviour of sheep in response to the presence of a dog as a threat. Increased attention towards the threat and increased vigilance were shown in sheep that received the m-CPP and reduced in sheep receiving the diazepam. The modulated attention towards a threat displayed by the m-CPP and diazepam animals suggests that attention bias can assess different levels of anxiety in sheep. Measuring attention bias has the potential to improve animal welfare assessment protocols.
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- 2016
13. Determination of Sheep Learning Responses to a Directional Audio Cue
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Andrew D. Fisher, Rebecca E. Doyle, Jessica E. Morris, and Russell D. Bush
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Communication ,Sheep ,Visual perception ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,Cognition ,Ethology ,Task (computing) ,Acoustic Stimulation ,Nonhuman animal ,Animal welfare ,Animals ,Conditioning, Operant ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Cues ,Habituation ,Habituation, Psychophysiologic ,Psychology ,business ,Photic Stimulation ,Cognitive load - Abstract
There are scientific opinions that a nonhuman animal cannot feel emotions, and, hence, positive experiences, without being cognitive. Therefore, determining an animal's cognitive capacity can be useful in supporting the existence of emotions. Research shows that sheep can perform tasks based on olfactory and visual stimuli; however, little research exists on determining the ability of sheep to perform such tasks based on auditory cues. This study demonstrates that sheep can perform a discriminant, operant task based on a visual cue (p < .001); however, sheep could not exhibit the desired response to a directional audio cue in 2 subsequent studies (p = .346; p = .031). Nonetheless, the study provides further evidence on the complex cognitive abilities of sheep and indicates the potential for sheep to use audio cues in their learning.
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- 2010
14. Release from restraint generates a positive judgement bias in sheep
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Rebecca E. Doyle, Alain Boissy, Caroline Lee, Andrew D. Fisher, Geoffrey Hinch, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [Canberra] (CSIRO), School of Environment and Rural Science, University of New England (UNE), Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores (URH), and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
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[SDV.SA]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences ,Veterinary medicine ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Judgement ,Animal-assisted therapy ,BIEN-ETRE ANIMAL ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Food Animals ,AFFECTIVE STATE ,Animal welfare ,EMOTION ,medicine ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Negative Reinforcer ,business.industry ,05 social sciences ,Cognitive bias ,Risk perception ,SHEEP ,HUBzero ,ANIMAL WELFARE ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Livestock ,COGNITIVE BIAS ,business ,Psychology ,psychological phenomena and processes ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
International audience; The study of judgement biases in animals has attracted interest as a way of potentially measuring emotional states by being able to detect pessimistic-like or optimistic-like evaluations of their environment. While judgement biases have been successfully identified in laboratory species, no such research has been reported in livestock species. Twenty ewes were trained to learn a spatial location task that required a go/no-go response according to the location of a bucket in a pen. One bucket location was associated with a feed reward, and the other associated with a negative reinforcer (no food and the presentation of a dog). Ten sheep were then subjected to a 6 h restraint and isolation stress (RIS), for three consecutive days. Following RIS on each day, all sheep were tested for biases in judgement by measuring their response to three previously unseen bucket locations and the learnt locations. Serum cortisol, haematological parameters, and behaviour of the sheep in an open field test were also recorded. Restrained and isolated sheep were more likely to approach the ambiguous bucket locations compared to control sheep (P = 0.008), suggesting RIS-treated animals had a more optimistic-like judgement bias. This was despite serum cortisol concentrations showing that sheep were highly stressed by the RIS treatment (P = 0.019). This finding provides evidence that it is possible tomeasure judgement biases in a livestock species. When released from RIS the sheepmay have had a more positive emotional state, or a lesser perception of risk, than that exhibited by control sheep.
- Published
- 2010
15. Animal-Based Measures to Assess the Welfare of Extensively Managed Ewes
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Paul H Hemsworth, Carolina A. Munoz, Rebecca E. Doyle, and Angus J.D. Campbell
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observer agreement ,sheep ,Hoof ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Concordance ,animal-based indicators ,animal welfare ,kappa statistics ,on-farm welfare assessment ,Article ,Animal science ,Cohen's kappa ,Body condition score ,lcsh:Zoology ,Weaning ,Medicine ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,lcsh:QL1-991 ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,media_common ,lcsh:Veterinary medicine ,General Veterinary ,business.industry ,05 social sciences ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Lameness ,lcsh:SF600-1100 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,business ,Welfare ,Kappa - Abstract
Simple Summary The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and practicality of 10 animal-based welfare measures for extensively managed ewes, which were derived from the scientific literature, previous welfare protocols and through consultation with veterinarians and animal welfare scientists. Measures were examined on 100 Merino ewes, which were individually identified and repeatedly examined at mid-pregnancy, mid-lactation and weaning. Body condition score, fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score and lameness are proposed for on-farm use in welfare assessments of extensive sheep production systems. These six welfare measures, which address the main welfare concerns for extensively managed ewes, can be reliably and feasibly measured in the field. Abstract The reliability and feasibility of 10 animal-based measures of ewe welfare were examined for use in extensive sheep production systems. Measures were: Body condition score (BCS), rumen fill, fleece cleanliness, fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score, foot-wall integrity, hoof overgrowth and lameness, and all were examined on 100 Merino ewes (aged 2–4 years) during mid-pregnancy, mid-lactation and weaning by a pool of nine trained observers. The measures of BCS, fleece condition, skin lesions, tail length, dag score and lameness were deemed to be reliable and feasible. All had good observer agreement, as determined by the percentage of agreement, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) and Kappa (k) values. When combined, these nutritional and health measures provide a snapshot of the current welfare status of ewes, as well as evidencing previous or potential welfare issues.
- Published
- 2017
16. Physiological and nonphysiological indicators of body condition score in weaner pigs
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Rebecca E, Doyle, Jillian, Groat, Peter C, Wynn, and Patricia K, Holyoake
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Blood Glucose ,Behavior, Animal ,Swine ,Age Factors ,Australia ,Weaning ,Motor Activity ,Animal Welfare ,Body Temperature ,Animals, Newborn ,Animals ,Animal Husbandry ,Skin Temperature ,Hair - Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify parameters that may be used as objective measures of wellbeing in weaner pigs on farm. Eighty-six weaner pigs were categorized into 3 groups based on their BCS: very compromised (VC, BCS = 1), moderately compromised (MC, BCS = 2), or healthy (HY, BCS ≥ 3). Nonphysiological and physiological measures were then collected from the pigs. Nonphysiological measures included 3 subjective binary scores that assessed the activity, hairiness, and responsiveness of each pig. Physiological measures included rectal temperature, skin temperature, and 11 blood-based parameters. Each physiological measure was assessed in a ternary manner, with pigs being classed as being above, below, or within the normal physiological range. Fisher’s exact tests (FET) were used to identify differences between the numbers of pigs in each BCS category for each variable, and ANOVA of physiological measures was also conducted. Correlations between all variables were also conducted. The FET results identified significant differences for 8 of the measures, with activity, hairiness, responsiveness, rectal temperature, and blood concentrations of glucose, creatinine kinase (CK), albumin, and globulin all differing significantly (all P0.05) according to category. Rectal temperature, glucose, and globulin concentrations were significantly different in ANOVA analyses. Of these measures, there were significant correlations between hairiness, rectal temperature, and glucose (all R0.30 and P0.05). Based on these results, rectal temperature, glucose, and hairiness all warrant further investigation as simple to apply, on-farm measures that can be used in conjunction with body condition and subjective assessment to aid management decisions on pig welfare.
- Published
- 2015
17. Administration of serotonin inhibitor p-Chlorophenylalanine induces pessimistic-like judgement bias in sheep
- Author
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Alain Boissy, Andrew D. Fisher, Rebecca E. Doyle, John M. Henshall, Caroline Lee, Geoff N. Hinch, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation [Canberra] (CSIRO), University of New England (UNE), Fac Vet Sci, The University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores (URH), and Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)
- Subjects
Time Factors ,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism ,[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio] ,Judgement ,Physiology ,Attentional bias ,ATTENTIONAL BIAS ,BRAIN-SEROTONIN ,Developmental psychology ,law.invention ,[SHS]Humanities and Social Sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Endocrinology ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Affective state ,Animal welfare ,Negative Reinforcer ,P chlorophenylalanine ,05 social sciences ,Fenclonine ,DEPRESSION ,Cognitive bias ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,EMOTIONS ,Social Isolation ,Psychology ,ANIMAL-WELFARE ,Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ,Serotonin ,MERINO LAMBS ,Serotonergic ,STARLINGS STURNUS-VULGARIS ,RATS ,Judgment ,03 medical and health sciences ,Bias ,Animals ,0501 psychology and cognitive sciences ,[INFO]Computer Science [cs] ,050102 behavioral science & comparative psychology ,Biological Psychiatry ,Emotion ,Motivation ,Sheep ,Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ,Endocrine and Autonomic Systems ,CORTISOL ,Feeding Behavior ,Serotonin inhibitor ,Exploratory Behavior ,Vocalization, Animal ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
International audience; Judgement bias has potential as a measure of affective state in animals. The serotonergic system may be one mechanism involved with the formation of negative judgement biases. It was hypothesised that depletion of brain serotonin would induce negative judgement biases in sheep. A dose response trial established that 40 mg/kg of p-Chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) administered to sheep for 3 days did not affect feeding motivation or locomotion required for testing judgement biases. Thirty Merino ewes (10 months old) were trained to an operant task for 3 weeks. Sheep learnt to approach a bucket when it was placed in one corner of the testing facility to receive a feed reward (go response), and not approach it when in the alternate corner (no-go response) to avoid a negative reinforcer (exposure to a dog). Following training, 15 sheep were treated with pCPA (40 mg/kg daily) for an extended duration (5 days). Treated and control sheep were tested for judgement bias following 3 and 5 days of treatment, and again 5 days after cessation of treatment. Testing involved the bucket being presented in ambiguous locations between the two learnt locations, and the response of the sheep (go/no-go) measured their judgement of the bucket locations. Following 5 days of treatment, pCPA-treated sheep approached the most positive ambiguous location significantly less than control sheep, suggesting a pessimistic-like bias (treatment x bucket location interaction F(1,124.6) = 49.97, p = 0.011). A trend towards a significant interaction was still evident 5 days after the cessation of pCPA treatment (p = 0.068), however no significant interaction was seen on day 3 of testing (p = 0.867). These results support the suggestion that judgement bias is a cognitive measure of affective state, and that the serotonergic pathway may be involved. Crown Copyright (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Published
- 2011
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