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Heritier C, Riemer S, Gaschler R. The Power Is in the Word-Do Laypeople Interpret Descriptors of Dog Emotional States Correctly? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3009. [PMID: 37835615 PMCID: PMC10571880 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A basic understanding of dog behaviour and emotion is relevant not only for professionals, such as veterinary personnel or dog trainers, but also for dog owners and for people with little contact with dogs. Information about dog behaviour and emotions is mostly conveyed verbally. This study explores whether definitions of dog behaviour and emotion are understood in such a way that they can be allocated to a descriptor (i.e., a label such as "fearful"), even by people with low background knowledge. If people can match descriptors to definitions, this suggests that the definitions are distinct enough and elicit mental representations of behaviour that can fit the label. Good agreement on the definitions is a prerequisite for the validity of the descriptors used; however, no study to date has tested this. A sample of 236 adults was asked to match descriptors of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) for veterinary and shelter situations to their correct definitions, e.g., the descriptor "fearful" to its definition "dog may try to flee, hide or freeze; ears back". Matching was substantially above chance; nonetheless, the mean proportion of correct responses was only 50% (SD ± 16.6%) for the veterinary QBA set and 33% (SD ± 14.3%) for the shelter QBA set. Performance in the matching task was positively correlated with measures of experience with dogs. Taken together, the results suggest that descriptor-definition pairs used to describe dog behaviour need to be clearly defined to avoid misinterpretations when teaching laypeople how to interpret canine behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Heritier
- Department of Psychology, FernUniversität Hagen, Universitätsstraße 47, 58097 Hagen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Riemer
- Comparative Cognition, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, University of Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Robert Gaschler
- Department of Psychology, FernUniversität Hagen, Universitätsstraße 47, 58097 Hagen, Germany
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Cooke AS, Mullan S, Morten C, Hockenhull J, Le Grice P, Le Cocq K, Lee MRF, Cardenas LM, Rivero MJ. Comparison of the welfare of beef cattle in housed and grazing systems: hormones, health, and behaviour. THE JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 2023; 161:450-463. [PMID: 37641790 PMCID: PMC7614983 DOI: 10.1017/s0021859623000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Animal welfare encompasses all aspects of an animal's life and the interactions between animals. Consequently, welfare must be measured across a variety of factors that consider aspects such as health, behaviour, and mental state. Decisions regarding housing and grazing are central to farm management. In this study, two beef cattle systems and their herds were compared from weaning to slaughter across numerous indicators. One herd ("HH") were continuously housed, the other ("HG") were housed only during winter. Inspections of animals were conducted to assess body condition, cleanliness, diarrhoea, hairlessness, nasal discharge, and ocular discharge. Hair and nasal mucus samples were taken for quantification of cortisol and serotonin. Qualitative behaviour assessments (QBA) were also conducted and performance monitored. Physical health indicators were similar between herds with the exception of nasal discharge which was more prevalent in HH (P < 0.001). During winter, QBA yielded differences between herds over PC1 (arousal) (P = 0.032), but not PC2 (mood) (P = 0.139). Through summer, there was a strong difference across both PC1 (P < 0.001) and PC2 (P = 0.002), with HG exhibiting more positive behaviour. A difference was found in hair cortisol levels, with the greatest concentrations observed in HG (P = 0.011), however such a pattern was not seen for nasal mucus cortisol, or for serotonin. Overall, providing summer grazing (HG) appeared to afford welfare benefits to the cattle as shown with more positive QBA assessments, but also slightly better health indicators, notwithstanding the higher levels of cortisol in that group.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. S. Cooke
- School of Life Sciences, College of Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - S. Mullan
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - C. Morten
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - J. Hockenhull
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - P. Le Grice
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - K. Le Cocq
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
- School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, UK
| | - M. R. F. Lee
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- School of Sustainable Food and Farming, Harper Adams University, Edgmond, UK
| | - L. M. Cardenas
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
| | - M. J. Rivero
- Net Zero and Resilient Farming, Rothamsted Research, Okehampton, UK
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Russell AL, Randall LV, Kaler J, Eyre N, Green MJ. Use of qualitative behavioural assessment to investigate affective states of housed dairy cows under different environmental conditions. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1099170. [PMID: 37008348 PMCID: PMC10064062 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1099170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the reduction of suboptimal welfare, there is now a need to provide farmed animals with positive opportunities to provide confidence that they have experienced a life worth living. Diversification of the environment through environmental enrichment strategies is one suggested avenue for providing animals with opportunities for positive experiences. The provision of more stimulating environmental conditions has been widely implemented in other animal production industries, based on evidenced welfare benefits. However, the implementation of enrichment on dairy farms is limited. In addition to this, the relationship between enrichment and dairy cows' affective states is an under-researched area. One specific welfare benefit of enrichment strategies which has been observed in a number of species, is increased affective wellbeing. This study investigated whether the provision of different forms of environmental enrichment resources would impact the affective states of housed dairy cows. This was measured by Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, currently a promising positive welfare indicator. Two groups of cows experienced three treatment periods; (i) access to an indoor novel object, (ii) access to an outdoor concrete yard and (iii) simultaneous access to both resources. Principal component analysis was used to analyse qualitative behavioural assessment scores, which yielded two principal components. The first principal component was most positively associated with the terms “content/relaxed/positively occupied” and had the most negative associations with the terms ‘fearful/bored'. A second principal component was most positively associated with the terms “lively/inquisitive/playful” and was most negatively associated with the terms “apathetic/bored”. Treatment period had a significant effect on both principal components, with cows being assessed as more content, relaxed and positively occupied and less fearful and bored, during periods of access to additional environmental resources. Similarly, cows were scored as livelier, more inquisitive and less bored and apathetic, during treatment periods compared to standard housing conditions. Concurrent with research in other species, these results suggest that the provision of additional environmental resources facilitates positive experiences and therefore enhanced affective states for housed dairy cows.
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Anders N, Hannaas S, Saltskår J, Schuster E, Tenningen M, Totland B, Vold A, Øvredal JT, Breen M. Vitality as a measure of animal welfare during purse seine pumping related crowding of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scrombrus). Sci Rep 2022; 12:21949. [PMID: 36536033 PMCID: PMC9763418 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26373-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The impacts of wild capture fishing on animal welfare are poorly understood. During purse seine fishing for Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scrombrus), catches are crowded to high densities to facilitate pumping onboard. This study aimed to monitor fish welfare during crowding events in the Norwegian purse seine fishery, and to identify relevant drivers. We first correlated a suite of neuro-endocrine, physiological and physical stress responses (integrated into a single measure of welfare using multivariate analysis) to the behavioural vitality of individual mackerel in controlled crowding trials in aquaculture cages. Vitality was found to be a useful measure of welfare. We then assessed individual fish vitality onboard a commercial purse seiner. Catch welfare, measured using vitality, was observed to be negatively impacted during pumping related crowding. Larger catches and longer crowding exposure times resulted in greater negative impacts. Vitality was not significantly impacted by crowding density or dissolved oxygen concentrations inside the net, although methodological limitations limited accurate measurement of these parameters. Blood lactate levels correlated negatively with vitality, suggesting that high-intensity anaerobic locomotory activity was associated with the reduction in welfare. Based on these findings, catch welfare could be improved by targeting smaller schools to minimise crowding exposure times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Anders
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sigurd Hannaas
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jostein Saltskår
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Schuster
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Maria Tenningen
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørn Totland
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Aud Vold
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Jan Tore Øvredal
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
| | - Mike Breen
- grid.10917.3e0000 0004 0427 3161Institute of Marine Research (IMR), Fish Capture Division, Nordnes. NO-5817, Nordnesgaten 50, P.O. Box 1870, 5005 Bergen, Norway
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Application of QBA to Assess the Emotional State of Horses during the Loading Phase of Transport. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243588. [PMID: 36552507 PMCID: PMC9774137 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify feasible indicators to evaluate animals' emotional states as a parameter to assess animal welfare, the present study aimed at investigating the accuracy of free choice profiling (FCP) and fixed list (FL) approach of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) in horses during the loading phase of transport. A total of 13 stakeholders were trained to score 2 different sets of videos of mixed breed horses loaded for road transport, using both FCP and FL, in 2 sessions. Generalized Procustes Analysis (GPA) consensus profile explained a higher percentage of variation (80.8%) than the mean of 1000 randomized profiles (41.2 ± 1.6%; p = 0.001) for the FCP method, showing an excellent inter-observer agreement. GPA identified two main factors, explaining 65.1% and 3.7% of the total variation. Factor 1 ranging from 'anxious/ to 'calm/relaxed', described the valence of the horses' emotional states. Factor 2, ranging from 'bright' to 'assessing/withdrawn', described the arousal. As for FL, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) first and second components (PC1 and PC2, respectively), explaining on average 59.8% and 12.6% of the data variability, had significant agreement between observers. PC1 ranges from relaxed/confident to anxious/frightened, while PC2 from alert/inquisitive to calm. Our study highlighted the need for the use of descriptors specifically selected, throughout a prior FCP process for the situation we want to evaluate to get a good QBA accuracy level.
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Cooke AS, Mullan SM, Morten C, Hockenhull J, Lee MRF, Cardenas LM, Rivero MJ. V-QBA vs. QBA—How Do Video and Live Analysis Compare for Qualitative Behaviour Assessment? Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:832239. [PMID: 35372536 PMCID: PMC8966882 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.832239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare is an inextricable part of livestock production and sustainability. Assessing welfare, beyond physical indicators of health, is challenging and often relies on qualitative techniques. Behaviour is a key component of welfare to consider and Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) aims to achieve this by systematically scoring behaviour across specific terms. In recent years, numerous studies have conducted QBA by using video footage, however, the method was not originally developed using video and video QBA (V-QBA) requires validation. Forty live QBAs were conducted, by two assessors, on housed beef cattle to help fill this validation gap. Video was recorded over the assessment period and a second video assessment was conducted. Live and video scores for each term were compared for both correlation and significant difference. Principle component analysis (PCA) was then conducted and correlations and differences between QBA and V-QBA for the first two components were calculated. Of the 20 terms, three were removed due to an overwhelming majority of scores of zero. Of the remaining 17 terms, 12 correlated significantly, and a significant pairwise difference was found for one (“Bored”). QBA and V-QBA results correlated across both PC1 (defined as “arousal”) and PC2 (defined as “mood”). Whilst there was no significant difference between the techniques for PC1, there was for PC2, with V-QBA generally yielding lower scores than QBA. Furthermore, based on PC1 and PC2, corresponding QBA and V-QBA scores were significantly closer than would be expected at random. Results found broad agreement between QBA and V-QBA at both univariate and multivariate levels. However, the lack of absolute agreement and muted V-QBA results for PC2 mean that caution should be taken when implementing V-QBA and that it should ideally be treated independently from live QBA until further evidence is published. Future research should focus on a greater variety of animals, environments, and assessors to address further validation of the method.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. S. Cooke
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: A. S. Cooke
| | - S. M. Mullan
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - C. Morten
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, United Kingdom
| | - J. Hockenhull
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - M. R. F. Lee
- Harper Adams University, Edgmond, United Kingdom
| | - L. M. Cardenas
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, United Kingdom
| | - M. J. Rivero
- Department of Sustainable Agriculture Sciences, Rothamsted Research, North Wyke, Okehampton, United Kingdom
- M. J. Rivero
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Development of a fixed list of terms for qualitative behavioural assessment of brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Sanctuaries. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Collins T, Anthony UMC, Dunston-Clarke EJ, Fleming PA. Feasibility of a Sheep Welfare Assessment Tool in the Pre-export Phase of Australian Live Export Industry. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.687162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sheep are exposed to numerous stressors and environments during the pre-export phase of the live export industry. Establishing how animal behavior, health and demeanor reflect their experiences prior to sea transport is the first step toward testing the suitability and practicality of animal welfare measures. A total of 240 merino wethers originating from four farms were assessed at four locations in the live export chain: on farm, upon arrival to the registered export feedlot (Fe1), prior to departing the feedlot (Fe2) and 30 min post loading onto a live export vessel. Each of these locations and time points represent relevant assessment points as part of the commercial live export process. Pen-side behavioral and health measures were collected. Video footage was collected and edited to provide 48 30–45 s duration clips that were then scored by 12 assessors against 10 demeanor terms using a Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) methodology; data were analyzed using Principal Components (PC) analysis. Repeated Measures ANOVAs tested for variation in each dependent measure across each location and time point. There were low levels of health issues recorded overall; however, seven health and behavior measures significantly varied across the locations and time points. Most vocalizing was recorded on farm; most drinking, eating and resting behaviors were recorded at Fe1 and ruminating at Fe2; while the highest percentage of wethers with ocular discharge and lameness was on the vessel. For QBA, PC1 explained 30.5% of the variability, with agitated and nervous loaded to one end of the axis and calm and relaxed loaded to the opposing end. PC2 explained 24.5% of the variability, with interested, alert and sociable loaded to one end of the axis and lethargic loaded to the opposing end. Spearman's rank correlations between behavior, health and PC scores indicated that wethers eating, ruminating and resting were scored as more calm/relaxed, while those scored as more agitated/nervous or/ lethargic were also likely to vocalize. Determining how wethers respond to the different environments in the immediate pre-export phase of the journey informs on their welfare and the practicality of using a behavior tool to assess animal welfare.
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Challenges and Tendencies of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS): A 20-Years Systematic Review of Literature and Patents. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020356. [PMID: 33572673 PMCID: PMC7912558 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last two decades, the dairy industry has adopted the use of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS). AMS have the potential to increase the effectiveness of the milking process and sustain animal welfare. This study assessed the state of the art of research activities on AMS through a systematic review of scientific and industrial research. The papers and patents of the last 20 years (2000-2019) were analysed to assess the research tendencies. The words appearing in title, abstract and keywords of a total of 802 documents were processed with the text mining tool. Four clusters were identified (Components, Technology, Process and Animal). For each cluster, the words frequency analysis enabled us to identify the research tendencies and gaps. The results showed that focuses of the scientific and industrial research areas complementary, with scientific papers mainly dealing with topics related to animal and process, and patents giving priority to technology and components. Both scientific and industrial research converged on some crucial objectives, such as animal welfare, process sustainability and technological development. Despite the increasing interest in animal welfare, this review highlighted that further progress is needed to meet the consumers' demand. Moreover, milk yield is still regarded as more valuable compared to milk quality. Therefore, additional effort is necessary on the latter. At the process level, some gaps have been found related to cleaning operations, necessary to improve milk quality and animal health. The use of farm data and their incorporation on herd decision support systems (DSS) appeared optimal. The results presented in this review may be used as an overall assessment useful to address future research.
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Dolphin Welfare Assessment under Professional Care: ‘Willingness to Participate’, an Indicator Significantly Associated with Six Potential ‘Alerting Factors’. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg1010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In dolphinaria, dolphins and their trainers build relationships and bonds due to the nature, closeness and repeatability of their interactions, hence training sessions are deemed appropriate to evaluate dolphin welfare. Qualitative Behavioural Assessments (QBAs) have been used to study human–animal relationships and are included in several animal welfare assessments. We introduce here the first QBA aiming to analyse dolphin–trainer interactions during training sessions in terms of dolphin welfare. Our results show that “Willingness to Participate” (WtP) was significantly associated to six other parameters: high-speed approach, high level of excitement, high number of positive responses to trainers’ signals, rare refusal to perform certain behaviours, rare spontaneous departure behaviours and fast approach once the trainer entered into the pool. Therefore, we suggest using WtP and those “alerting factors” when assessing dolphin–trainer interactions under professional care. The evaluation should also consider the time of day, the dolphin’s age, trainer experience level, the nature of the training sessions and to a lesser extent the sex of the dolphins, as contributing and modulating factors. The factor eye contact has been used in various HARs studies and has been proven to be a valid indicator in welfare research works, hence potentially deserving further research. These results demonstrate the pertinence and feasibility of this approach, the ease of use of this methodology by professionals in zoo/aquarium settings and the appropriateness of the obtained results within the holistic frame of animal welfare.
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Fleming PA, Wickham SL, Dunston-Clarke EJ, Willis RS, Barnes AL, Miller DW, Collins T. Review of Livestock Welfare Indicators Relevant for the Australian Live Export Industry. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1236. [PMID: 32708293 PMCID: PMC7401645 DOI: 10.3390/ani10071236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare is an important issue for the live export industry (LEI), in terms of economic returns, community attitudes and international socio-political relations. Mortality has traditionally been the main welfare measure recorded within the LEI; however, high mortality incidents are usually acted upon after adverse events occur, reducing the scope for proactive welfare enhancement. We reviewed 71 potential animal welfare measures, identifying those measures that would be appropriate for use throughout the LEI for feeder and slaughter livestock species, and categorised these as animal-, environment- and resource-based. We divided the live export supply chain into three sectors: (1) Australian facilities, (2) vessel and (3) destination country facilities. After reviewing the relevant regulations for each sector of the industry, we identified 38 (sector 1), 35 (sector 2) and 26 (sector 3) measures already being collected under current practice. These could be used to form a 'welfare information dashboard': a LEI-specific online interface for collecting data that could contribute towards standardised industry reporting. We identified another 20, 25 and 28 measures that are relevant to each LEI sector (sectors 1, 2, 3, respectively), and that could be developed and integrated into a benchmarking system in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Fleming
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Sarah L Wickham
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Emma J Dunston-Clarke
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Renee S Willis
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Anne L Barnes
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - David W Miller
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Teresa Collins
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia
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Exploring the Use of a Qualitative Behavioural Assessment Approach to Assess Emotional State of Calves in Rodeos. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10010113. [PMID: 31936755 PMCID: PMC7022810 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The nature of rodeo events, including calf-roping, bull- and bronco-riding and steer-wrestling, regularly subject animals to rough handling in ways likely to elicit fear. However, there have been only limited attempts to assess the emotional state of animals undergoing these handling techniques. The current project aims to explore the potential of a qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) approach to estimate various emotional states by examining images of calves before and after being roped during a rodeo event. QBA is based on human descriptors that summarise the dynamic, expressive style of an animal’s interaction with its environment; e.g., relieved, calm, contented, or anxious. The study found that calves show very different emotions (what they are experiencing emotionally) and behaviours (what they are doing) during the two phases of calf-roping assessed: the chase and recovery. These results indicate that a QBA approach has potential for assessing animal welfare in the entertainment industry. Abstract There are longstanding disagreements between the rodeo industry stakeholders and animal welfare advocates about the wellbeing of the animals used in events. The current study aims to determine whether qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) is effective in identifying the emotional state of calves in so-called calf-roping events. Still images of calves captured from videos of calf-roping were shown to two groups: practitioners (n = 7) and students (n = 16). For each image, they scored (on a scale of 1–10) 12 descriptive terms—e.g., stressed, energetic, confused, frightened—based on how strongly they thought the animal was experiencing that emotion. Scores were analysed using Factor Analysis and Ordinal Logistic Regression models, while inter-rater reliability was assessed using Intra-Class Correlation Coefficients. The same imagery (video and images) were analysed for behaviours associated with the calves’ ears, neck, legs and tail to develop a behavioural ethogram, which was analysed with Binary Logistic Regression and Anova wrapping. The students were also surveyed to assess their empathy towards animals. The chase phase attracted significantly higher scores for stressed (µ = 5.0, p < 0.001), agitated (µ = 5.1, p < 0.001), anxious (µ = 5.0, p < 0.001) and frightened (µ = 5.0, p < 0.001), and the behavioural ethogram revealed that calves commonly galloped (p < 0.001) and held their tails rigidly during this phase (p = 0.010). In contrast, the recovery phase was characterised by significantly higher scores for calm (µ = 3.0, p < 0.001), contented (µ = 2.7, p < 0.001) and relieved (µ = 1.6, p < 0.001), and calves moved slower (p < 0.001) with more neutral ear positions (ears axial p = 0.008, ears forward p = 0.010). A clear pre- and post-rope effect was evident, showing that QBA indicated that calves were anxious while being chased and were relieved when they had been released. The survey data revealed that students who had more empathy for animals in pain and for those used in experiments were more empathetic towards calves during the chase phase. They felt that calves being chased were agitated, anxious, stressed, frightened and confused. These results confirm that QBA has the potential as a tool for assessing the welfare of animals used in rodeos.
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Brscic M, Dam Otten N, Contiero B, Kirchner MK. Investigation of a Standardized Qualitative Behaviour Assessment and Exploration of Potential Influencing Factors on the Emotional State of Dairy Calves. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E757. [PMID: 31581609 PMCID: PMC6826544 DOI: 10.3390/ani9100757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Assessing emotional states of dairy calves is an essential part of welfare assessment, but standardized protocols are absent. The present study aims at assessing the emotional states of dairy calves and establishing a reliable standard procedure with Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) and 20 defined terms. Video material was used to compare multiple observer results. Further, live observations were performed on 49 dairy herds in Denmark and Italy. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified observer agreement and QBA dimensions (PC). For achieving overall welfare judgment, PC1-scores were turned into the Welfare Quality (WQ) criterion 'Positive Emotional State'. Finally, farm factors' influence on the WQ criterion was evaluated by mixed linear models. PCA summarized QBA descriptors as PC1 'Valence' and PC2 'Arousal' (explained variation 40.3% and 13.3%). The highest positive descriptor loadings on PC1 was Happy (0.92) and Nervous (0.72) on PC2. The WQ-criterion score (WQ-C12) was on average 51.1 ± 9.0 points (0: worst to 100: excellent state) and 'Number of calves', 'Farming style', and 'Breed' explained 18% of the variability of it. We conclude that the 20 terms achieved a high portion of explained variation providing a differentiated view on the emotional state of calves. The defined term list proved to need good training for observer agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Brscic
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Nina Dam Otten
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Dep. Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Barbara Contiero
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Marlene Katharina Kirchner
- Institute of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Dep. Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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Muri K, Stubsjøen SM, Vasdal G, Moe RO, Granquist EG. Associations between qualitative behaviour assessments and measures of leg health, fear and mortality in Norwegian broiler chicken flocks. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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15
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Webb LE, Veenhoven R, Harfeld JL, Jensen MB. What is animal happiness? Ann N Y Acad Sci 2019; 1438:62-76. [PMID: 30345570 PMCID: PMC7379717 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Today, we see a growing concern for the quality of life of nonhuman animals and an accompanying call for viable means of assessing how well animals thrive. Past research focused on minimizing negatives such as stress, while more recent endeavors strive to promote positives such as happiness. But what is animal happiness? Although often mentioned, the term lacks a clear definition. With recent advances in the study of animal emotion, current interest into positive rather than negative experiences, and the call for captive and domesticated animals to have good lives, the time is ripe to examine the concept of animal happiness. We draw from the human and animal literature to delineate a concept of animal happiness and propose how to assess it. We argue that animal happiness depends on how an individual feels generally-that is, a typical level of affect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Webb
- Animal Production Systems Group, Department of Animal ScienceWageningen University & ResearchWageningenthe Netherlands
| | - Ruut Veenhoven
- Erasmus University RotterdamErasmus Happiness Economics Research Organization (EHERO)Rotterdamthe Netherlands
- Optentia Research ProgramNorth‐West UniversityVanderbijlparkSouth Africa
| | - Jes Lynning Harfeld
- Department of Learning and Philosophy, Centre for Applied PhilosophyAalborg UniversityAalborgDenmark
| | - Margit Bak Jensen
- Department of Animal Science – Behaviour and Stress Biology GroupAarhus UniversityTjeleDenmark
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16
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The Use of Qualitative Behaviour Assessment for the On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Dairy Goats. Animals (Basel) 2018; 8:ani8070123. [PMID: 30029507 PMCID: PMC6071242 DOI: 10.3390/ani8070123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The use of feasible indicators to evaluate animals’ emotional states in farm animals is strongly encouraged for welfare assessment. The inclusion of qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) in on-farm protocols has been constantly increasing during the last few years; but its association with other welfare measures has been scarcely investigated so far. In the present study; we investigated whether QBA shows a meaningful coherence with other measures included in the AWIN (Animal Welfare Indicators) welfare assessment protocol for dairy goats. We confirmed that QBA can clearly discern mood (from Agitated/Alert to Content/Relaxed) and the level of activity (from Bored to Lively) in goats. Furthermore; goats with a shiny hair coat seem more relaxed and sociable than goats with a poor hair coat condition. In contrast; farms where the workload for the stockperson is high have goats that were observed as more bored and suffering; probably because farmers do not invest enough time in taking care of their animals. Even though we found only few relations between QBA and the other measures of the AWIN welfare assessment protocol; the holistic approach of QBA can be useful to integrate the assessment and give a different perspective on the complexity of animals’ emotions and overall welfare state. Abstract This research investigated whether using qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) with a fixed list of descriptors may be related to quantitative animal- (ABM) and resource-based (RBM) measures included in the AWIN (Animal Welfare Indicators) welfare assessment prototype protocol for goats, tested in 60 farms. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on QBA descriptors; then PCs were correlated to some ABMs and RBMs. Subsequently, a combined PCA merged QBA scores, ABMs and RBMs. The study confirms that QBA can identify the differences in goats’ emotions, but only few significant correlations were found with ABMs and RBMs. In addition, the combined PCA revealed that goats with a normal hair coat were scored as more relaxed and sociable. A high farm workload was related to bored and suffering goats, probably because farmers that can devote less time to animals may fail to recognise important signals from them. Goats were scored as sociable, but also alert, in response to the presence of an outdoor run, probably because when outdoors they received more stimuli than indoors and were more attentive to the surroundings. Notwithstanding these results, the holistic approach of QBA may allow to register animals’ welfare from a different perspective and be complementary to other measures.
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17
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Using qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) to explore the emotional state of horses and its association with human-animal relationship. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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18
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Meagher RK, Campbell DL, Mason GJ. Boredom-like states in mink and their behavioural correlates: A replicate study. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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19
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Colditz IG, Hine BC. Resilience in farm animals: biology, management, breeding and implications for animal welfare. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/an15297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
A capacity for the animal to recover quickly from the impact of physical and social stressors and disease challenges is likely to improve evolutionary fitness of wild species and welfare and performance of farm animals. Salience and valence of stimuli sensed through neurosensors, chemosensors and immunosensors are perceived and integrated centrally to generate emotions and engage physiological, behavioural, immune, cognitive and morphological responses that defend against noxious challenges. These responses can be refined through experience to provide anticipatory and learned reactions at lower cost than innate less-specific reactions. Influences of behaviour type, coping style, and affective state and the relationships between immune responsiveness, disease resistance and resilience are reviewed. We define resilience as the capacity of animals to cope with short-term perturbations in their environment and return rapidly to their pre-challenge status. It is manifested in response to episodic, sporadic or situation-specific attributes of the environment and can be optimised via facultative learning by the individual. It is a comparative measure of differences between individuals in the outcomes that follow exposure to potentially adverse situations. In contrast, robustness is the capacity to maintain productivity in a wide range of environments without compromising reproduction, health and wellbeing. Robustness is manifested in response to persistent or cyclical attributes of the environment and is effected via activity of innate regulatory pathways. We suggest that for farm animals, husbandry practices that incorporate physical and social stressors and interactions with humans such as weaning, change of housing, and introduction to the milking parlour can be used to characterise resilience phenotypes. In these settings, resilience is likely to be more readily identified through the rate of return of variables to pre-challenge or normal status rather than through measuring the activity of diverse stress response and adaptation mechanisms. Our strategy for phenotyping resilience of sheep and cattle during weaning is described. Opportunities are examined to increase resilience through genetic selection and through improved management practices that provide emotional and cognitive enrichment and stress inoculation.
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Navigating the iceberg: reducing the number of parameters within the Welfare Quality(®) assessment protocol for dairy cows. Animal 2014; 8:1978-86. [PMID: 25159607 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731114002018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Welfare Quality(®) protocols provide a multidimensional assessment of welfare, which is lengthy, and hence limited in terms of practicality. The aim of this study was to investigate potential 'iceberg indicators' which could reliably predict the overall classification as a means of reducing the length of time for an assessment and so increase the feasibility of the Welfare Quality(®) protocol as a multidimensional assessment of welfare. Full Welfare Quality(®) assessments were carried out on 92 dairy farms in England and Wales. The farms were all classified as Acceptable or Enhanced. Logistic regression models with cross validation were used to compare model fit for the overall classification on farms. 'Absence of prolonged thirst', on its own, was found to correctly classify farms 88% of the time. More generally, the inclusion of more measures in the models was not associated with greater predictive ability for the overall classification. Absence of prolonged thirst could thus, in theory, be considered to be an iceberg indicator for the Welfare Quality(®) protocol, and could reduce the length of time for a farm assessment to 15 min. Previous work has shown that the parameters within the Welfare Quality(®) protocol are important and relevant for welfare assessment. However, it is argued that the credibility of the published aggregation system is compromised by the finding that one resource measure (Absence of prolonged thirst) is a major driver for the overall classification. It is therefore suggested that the prominence of Absence of prolonged thirst in this role may be better understood as an unintended consequence of the published measure aggregation system rather than as reflecting a realistic iceberg indicator.
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Colditz IG, Ferguson DM, Collins T, Matthews L, Hemsworth PH. A Prototype Tool to Enable Farmers to Measure and Improve the Welfare Performance of the Farm Animal Enterprise: The Unified Field Index. Animals (Basel) 2014; 4:446-62. [PMID: 26480317 PMCID: PMC4494315 DOI: 10.3390/ani4030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schemes for the assessment of farm animal welfare and assurance of welfare standards have proliferated in recent years. An acknowledged short-coming has been the lack of impact of these schemes on the welfare standards achieved on farm due in part to sociological factors concerning their implementation. Here we propose the concept of welfare performance based on a broad set of performance attributes of an enterprise and describe a tool based on risk assessment and benchmarking methods for measuring and managing welfare performance. The tool termed the Unified Field Index is presented in a general form comprising three modules addressing animal, resource, and management factors. Domains within these modules accommodate the principle conceptual perspectives for welfare assessment: biological functioning; emotional states; and naturalness. Pan-enterprise analysis in any livestock sector could be used to benchmark welfare performance of individual enterprises and also provide statistics of welfare performance for the livestock sector. An advantage of this concept of welfare performance is its use of continuous scales of measurement rather than traditional pass/fail measures. Through the feedback provided via benchmarking, the tool should help farmers better engage in on-going improvement of farm practices that affect animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Colditz
- CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, FD McMaster Laboratory, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
| | - Drewe M Ferguson
- CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, FD McMaster Laboratory, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
| | - Teresa Collins
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.
| | - Lindsay Matthews
- Lindsay Matthews & Associates Research International, Scerne Di Pineto, Teramo 64025, Italy.
- Psychology Department, University of Auckland, Auckland 1020, New Zealand.
| | - Paul H Hemsworth
- Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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Using qualitative behaviour assessment to explore the link between stockperson behaviour and dairy calf behaviour. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Fleming PA, Paisley CL, Barnes AL, Wemelsfelder F. Application of Qualitative Behavioural Assessment to horses during an endurance ride. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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25
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Phythian C, Michalopoulou E, Duncan J, Wemelsfelder F. Inter-observer reliability of Qualitative Behavioural Assessments of sheep. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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26
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Stockman CA, Collins T, Barnes AL, Miller D, Wickham SL, Beatty DT, Blache D, Wemelsfelder F, Fleming PA. Flooring and driving conditions during road transport influence the behavioural expression of cattle. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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27
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The correlation of Qualitative Behavior Assessments with Welfare Quality® protocol outcomes in on-farm welfare assessment of dairy cattle. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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28
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Stockman CA, McGilchrist P, Collins T, Barnes AL, Miller D, Wickham SL, Greenwood PL, Cafe LM, Blache D, Wemelsfelder F, Fleming PA. Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of Angus steers during pre-slaughter handling and relationship with temperament and physiological responses. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Rutherford KM, Donald RD, Lawrence AB, Wemelsfelder F. Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of emotionality in pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2012; 139:218-224. [PMID: 22915833 PMCID: PMC3417235 DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Scientific assessment of affective states in animals is challenging but vital for animal welfare studies. One possible approach is Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA), a ‘whole animal’ methodology which integrates information from multiple behavioural signals and styles of behavioural expression (body language) directly in terms of an animal's emotional expression. If QBA provides a valid measure of animals’ emotional state it should distinguish between groups where emotional states have been manipulated. To test this hypothesis, QBA was applied to video-recordings of pigs, following treatment with either saline or the neuroleptic drug Azaperone, in either an open field or elevated plus-maze test. QBA analysis of these recordings was provided by 12 observers, blind to treatment, using a Free Choice Profiling (FCP) methodology. Generalised Procrustes Analysis was used to calculate a consensus profile, consisting of the main dimensions of expression. Dimension one was positively associated with terms such as ‘Confident’ and ‘Curious’ and negatively with ‘Unsure’ and ‘Nervous’. Dimension two ranged from ‘Agitated’/‘Angry’ to ‘Calm’/‘Relaxed’. In both tests, Azaperone pre-treatment was associated with a more positive emotionality (higher scores on dimension one reflecting a more confident/curious behavioural demeanour) than control pigs. No effect of drug treatment on dimension two was found. Relationships between qualitative descriptions of behaviour and quantitative behavioural measures, taken from the same recordings, were found. Overall, this work supports the use of QBA for the assessment of emotionality in animals.
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