The effect of colony size on the response of layers to moderate food energy restriction

1. Light hybrid layers were housed at 1, 3 or 5 birds per cage. From 32 to 60 weeks of age they received a diet containing 11.lb59 kj/kg ad libitum, at 95 or at 92% of ad libitum intake. Birds on these nine treatment combinations were fed from communal troughs. Two further treatments consisted of birds caged and fed individually with food offered either ad libitum or in slightly restricted amounts.

2. Restrictions of about 5% and 8% in food intake resulted in reductions in egg output of about 5% and 9% respectively.

3. As colony size increased the rate of lay decreased but colony size did not affect the response to restriction.

4. Among birds caged singly those fed individually laid more eggs than those fed communally despite the fact that the former consumed less energy. A similar degree of energy restriction resulted in a similar decrease in rate of lay at each colony size.     

Some effects of limited exercise on purpose-bred beagles

Amendments to the Animal Welfare Act (PL 99-198) require that an exercise program for dogs be established by the attending veterinarian. A 6-week study was conducted to determine the effects of a moderate exercise program in purpose-bred Beagles. Sixteen male Beagles (4/group) were maintained as follows: (1) standard cage without exercise; (2) standard cage with individual exercise periods (35 minutes, 3 times/week); (3) large cage without exercise; and (4) standard cage with group-release exercise periods. Blood samples were collected for CBC, serum biochemical analysis including determination of serum cortisol concentration, and immune function (lymphocyte transformation assay). Group-released dogs interacted with each other during most of the exercise time. Fighting in these dogs occurred only during the third week. Dogs had little inclination to exercise when released alone into the exercise area. Regardless of the size of the cage, dogs did not exercise unless human beings were present in the room. There were no significant differences in laboratory findings among dogs in the 4 groups. This moderate exercise program had no demonstrable effects. Similarly, continuous cage housing, without a formal exercise program, could not be determined to be detrimental to the physiologic or health status of dogs.     

圈养川金丝猴冬季昼间活动时间分配及空间利用研究

2012年12月~2013年2月,通过直接拍摄观察,采用瞬时扫描记录方法,对上海动物园内圈养条件下4只川金丝猴(Rhinopithecus roxellana)的活动时间分配和笼舍空间利用率进行了初步研究,结果表明:川金丝猴圈养环境下大部分时间用来休息,占昼间活动时间的46.27%,其次是理毛行为,占22.20%,摄食和玩耍行为分别占9.73%,6.90%,乞食和移动行为分别占5.04%、5.76%,其他行为占4.10%;休息行为有2个高峰,分别为8:00~9:00时和16:00时以后,摄食行为只在8:00~9:00时有一个较为明显的高峰,理毛行为集中在10:00时;通过对空间利用率的比较,A、B、C、D、E各区均有利用,但是A区、C区、D区的占用率明显高于B区、E区,A区主要用来休息,B区、C区、D区主要用来玩耍和移动,E区主要用来取食和休息。     

Effects of single caging and cage size on behavior and stress level of domestic neutered cats housed in an animal shelter

Cats need a minimum amount of space even in animal shelters. In this study the effects of single caging and cage size on the behavior and stress level of domestic cats were investigated. Six neutered cats (2–15 years old) that had been housed in a group for at least 7 months were moved to three kinds of single cages (small, medium and large) by rotation on a Latin square design. They experienced each cage size for 6 days. Cats could use vertical dimensions when housed in a group room and the large cage. Behavioral observation was conducted for 3 h in the evening, and stress levels were assessed by urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios. The amounts (estimated proportions) of time spent in locomotion and social/solitary play were lower even in large cages than in group housing (both P < 0.05). Conversely, the amount of time spent resting tended to increase when housed singly (P = 0.104). The urine cortisol‐to‐creatinine ratios of singly housed cats tended to be higher than that of group‐housed cats (P = 0.086). The results indicate that cats become less active when they are housed singly in cages regardless of the cage size. Cats seem to feel no undue stress even in small cages if the stay is short.     

Effect of body size and cage profile on the shear strength of bones of caged layers

The effects of body size and cage profile on the shear strength of bones from caged layers aged 72 weeks were studied. Bones tested included the radius, ulna, humerus, femur, and tibiotarsus. The ultimate shear force of the femur, tibia, and humerus all increased as body size increased (P less than 0.01). The wing bones of birds housed in high profile cages had higher shear breaking loads than birds housed in low profile cages. The ultimate shear stresses of the bones were not affected by body size or cage profile. The radius had the highest shear stress (29.2 MPa), followed in descending order by the ulna (19.1 MPa), tibiotarsus, humerus (11.4 MPa) and femur (11.3 MPa).     

The effect of shot biopsy on behavior, salivary cortisol, and heart rate in slaughter pigs.

This paper describes behavioral and physiological responses of pigs to shot biopsy, an experimental method used to study muscle tissue processes or to predict meat quality. One biopsy sample from the longissimus muscle was obtained from 23-wk-old gilts (n = 10) using a cannula connected to a captive bolt. Ten other gilts were used as a control and received a sham shot. One week later, a second biopsy was taken from the same gilts. Behavioral and salivary cortisol responses to both biopsies were similar (P > .10). Pigs flinched in response to the biopsies. Salivary cortisol concentrations were increased (P < .05) 15 min after the biopsy as compared with pretreatment levels, but absolute levels were not different (P > .10) from the control group. In both biopsy and control groups, heart rate increased (P < .001) in response to the presence of the technician. In response to the first biopsy, heart rate increased (P < .01) as compared with the rate during the 5-s period before the biopsy, but heart rate did not increase in response to the second biopsy. The biopsy pigs showed a decrease (P < .05) in initiating contact with the technician in the second test. We conclude that shot biopsy had a significant acute effect on behavior and heart rate. Therefore, the usefulness of this technique in studies in which the behavioral and heart rate responses are measured is limited.     

A comparison of the effects of different yeast products and antibiotic on broiler performance

1. The objectives of this experiment were to compare the effects of different yeast products, with different nucleotide contents and inclusion rates, on broiler performance and to compare the effects to those observed with an antibiotic growth promoter. 2. Two experiments were carried out over two time replicates, one in individual wire cages and one in group pens. 3. Birds were given a diet based on a commercial formulation, which was split into 7 batches. One batch (C) contained no growth promoter and acted as a negative control, another (AV) contained the antibiotic growth promoter Avilomycin (5 g/tonne) and acted as the positive control. The other batches contained yeast extract 2012 at 100 g/tonne (Y21), yeast extract 2012 at 500 g/tonne (Y25), standard yeast 18 at 100 g/tonne (Y81), standard yeast 18 enriched in nucleotides at 100 g/tonne (Y8N1) and standard yeast 18 enriched in nucleotides at 500 g/tonne (Y8N5). 4. In the penned experiment, 280 Cobb broiler chicks (40 birds/treatment) were randomised to diet and pen position on day of hatch. Birds were fed ad libitum until slaughter at 28 d. Bird performance was monitored during the experimental period. 5. In the individual cage experiment, 63 Cobb broiler chicks (9 birds/treatment) were taken from the pens at 7 d of age and randomised to diet and cage position. Birds were fed ad libitum from d 7 to d 28. A 7-d excreta collection was carried out to determine apparent metabolisable energy (AME) content and nutrient digestibility between d 14 and d 21. Bird intake and weight were monitored weekly during the experimental period. At 28 d the birds were killed and viscosity of jejunal digesta supernatant was determined. 6. In the penned experiment, diet had no significant effect on dry matter intake (DMI), live weight gain (LWG) or gain:feed values during any individual week of the experiment or for the entire experimental period. In the caged experiment, DMI was numerically highest for birds fed Y25 diet over the entire experimental period, however, this only reached significance in the second week. LWG, gain:feed, viscosity of jejunal contents and gizzard weight were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. 7. Diet AV had a significantly higher AME content than diets Y25, Y81, Y8N1 or Y8N5. Also, oil and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility coefficients were significantly affected by diet treatment.     

Effects of an 'enrichment feeder' on behavior and feather conditions of caged laying hens

The objective of this study was to compare the behaviors and feather conditions of caged laying hens fed by two different types of feeders. Seven tennis balls were placed on the feed trough to hide the feed for each of 6 experimental cages (treatment B). The same feed troughs without balls were used for 6 control cages (treatment NB). Forty-eight commercial white leghorn type hens were housed as 4 birds per cage (474 cm² per bird). The experimental period was from 22 to 32 weeks of age. At 28 weeks of age, the hens spent more time feeding in treatment NB (35%) than in B (27%). On the other hand, prefeeding behavior (extension of the neck over the trough or pecking at the balls) occupied more time in B (14%) than in NB (6%). The birds in B spent more time thrusting (thrusting other birds aside and trying to eat) than did the birds in NB (2 vs 0%). At 32 weeks of age, the mean proportion of hens feeding and prefeeding behavior in both treatments was similar to those at 28 weeks of age; however, differences of the behavior between the B and NB were relatively small. Feather damage on a scale of 0 (no damage) to 15 (denuded) increased with age, and the scores in B were less than those in NB at 27 weeks (0.75 vs 1.37), although not at 32 weeks. Egg production in the two treatments was the same, and the type of feeder used did not affect body weight. This device might provide hens with a more attractive environment than the conventional feeders; however, the enrichment feeder might need more improvement for the welfare of caged laying hens.     

The effects of feeding regime and stocking rate on the performance of medium‐bodied layers in the humid tropics

1. The effects of housing laying hens 1 or 2 per cage (1 452 or 726 cm² /bird), and three feeding regimes (ad libitum, 70% ad libitum and 6 days/ week) were investigated.

2. With 2 birds/cage egg production and food utilisation were adversely affected, but there were no significant effects on egg weight, food consumption, shell thickness, body‐weight change, mortality and abdominal fat.

3. Food restriction significantly increased body‐weight loss and decreased egg production, food consumption, final body weight and abdominal fat, but had no significant effect on egg weight, shell thickness and mortality. The effect on food utilisation was inconsistent.

4. There were significant interactions between feeding regime and stocking rate for egg weight and final body weight.

5. It is suggested that in the humid tropics birds caged singly could be fed at 70% ad libitum while those caged in pairs should be fed ad libitum to avoid multiple stress.     

Behavior, performance and physical condition of laying hens in conventional and small furnished cages

The aim of the present study was to compare the welfare level and performance of laying hens between conventional and small furnished cages. At the age of 54 weeks, 120 White Leghorn layers were divided into four groups: four (C4) or six hens/cage in conventional cages and four or six (F6) hens/cage in furnished cages. Their behavior, number of steps taken, performance and physical condition were measured. Sham dust‐bathing was greater in conventional cages than in furnished cages (P = 0.05) and dust‐bathing, litter scratching and litter pecking were also observed in furnished cages. Other comfort behavior, moving and number of steps taken were more frequent in the four‐hen cages than in the six‐hen cages (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Though egg production and egg mass in C4 and F6 were lower than in the other groups, no significant differences were found in the other production measurements. Bodyweight gain was larger in the four‐hen cages than the six‐hen cages (P < 0.01). In conclusion, behavior was not restricted in the furnished cages, but activity and bodyweight gain were affected by group size (density) rather than cage design. Hereafter, the studies on suitable density in each cage design, using young layers, are required.     

Changes in the heart beat of puppies in the first twelve weeks of life

In 37 healthy pups and seven pups with congenital pulmonic stenosis ECG were recorded and the heart rate determined. Between the first week of life in healthy pups (mean = 230/min) and the twelfth week of life the heart rate in both groups at six weeks was 195/min and 180/min. At the end of the investigation the averaged heart rate was 167/min or 166/min respectively. In single weeks during the investigation a slightly increased heart rate occurred in a few dogs between the fourth and sixth week of life owing to an increased restlessness during this time span. The heart rate of newborn pups at the first day (mean = 215/min) was a little lower than the average in the first week of life.     

Effects of relocation on production in caged layers

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects on laying performance of relocating caged hens at 30, 42 and 54 weeks of age.

2. In experiment 1 with hens caged individually, treatment groups comprised relocated hens given 5 new neighbours and hens not relocated but given 0, 2 or 4 new neighbours.

3. In experiment 2 with hens housed two per cage, treatment groups comprised relocation with or without that hen which shared the cage before the move.

4. In both experiments relocated hens laid fewer eggs in the week following social reorganisation.

5. Relocated hens in experiment 1 ate less food in the week following the shift at 42 weeks of age than did hens not moved. In experiment 2 in which all hens were moved, food consumption was not affected.     

笼养蛋鸭舍环境因子与鸭免疫机能及生产性能的研究

试验检测了春季蛋鸭笼养舍内环境因子分布和蛋鸭生理机能及生产性能变化,为蛋鸭阶梯式笼养模式提出改进建议。结果表明:(1)蛋鸭舍内气载有害菌和粉尘浓度随纵向通风进程持续升高,上层鸭笼大肠杆菌属细菌气溶胶浓度显著低于中层和下层(P<0.05)。平均光照强度自进风口到出风口分布均匀,但上层笼极显著高于下层(P<0.01);(2)上层蛋鸭平均产蛋率(69.37%)显著高于下层蛋鸭(P<0.05);累计死淘率(0.11%)显著低于下层蛋鸭(P<0.05);(3)上层鸭蛋哈氏单位为68.2,极显著高于下层鸭蛋(P<0.01);(4)上层蛋鸭血清过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、下丘脑GnRH基因表达水平均显著高于下层蛋鸭(P<0.05);下丘脑CRH基因表达水平,脾脏IL-1β、IL-10和TNF-α基因表达水平显著低于下层蛋鸭(P<0.05)。以上结果显示,春季笼养蛋鸭舍内,不同空间位置环境因子分布不均匀,下层蛋鸭长期处于恶劣环境,增加了死亡率,降低了产蛋率和蛋品质。     

Effect of lipopolysaccharide on sickness behaviour in hens kept in cage and free range environments

The aim of this study was to assess whether environmental enrichment and environmental conditions can influence the expression of sickness behaviour. The behaviour in response to injection of lipopolysaccharide or saline was examined in a total of 96 62-weeks old hatchmate hens kept in a free range or cage environment. There were eight experimental treatments, each with 12 birds. Half the birds were sourced from a commercial cage layer unit (C/-) and half from a commercial free range unit (FR/-). After intraperitoneal injection with either lipopolysaccharide or saline (as a control), the hens were placed in either a cage (-/C) or free range (-/FR) environment. Lipopolysaccharide caused greater suppression of activity in free range (FR/FR) than in caged hens, including less walking (53% reduction), roosting (−86%) and preening (−60%) (p < 0.05). Those responses were not observed in caged birds released into free range, nor in free range birds introduced to cages, suggesting that both the presence of and the familiarity with an environment affected sickness behaviour patterns. Increased sleeping was the most consistent response (+147%; p < 0.001), and it was least influenced by environment. It was concluded that free range layer hens can express a greater range of sickness behaviours than caged hens, and this may make it more difficult to recognise disease expression in the caged environment.     

Feather pecking and cannibalism in a caged layer flock.

1. The progress of feather pecking and cannibalism was recorded from hatching to end of lay in a flock of caged layers and the influence of group size, floor area allowance and cage tier upon the incidence of these activities during lay assessed. 2. The largest group suffered more cannibalism and feather pecking than smaller groups, floor area allowance and tier being less important factors. 3. A significant trend was found for one death from cannibalism to be followed by more in the same cage.4. It was concluded that feather pecking and cannibalism are separate phenomena, although the same cage conditions increased the incidence of both. 5. Cannibalism may be divided into vent pecking and cannibalism affecting other parts of the body, the former is independent of feather pecking and the latter, though usually preceded by feather pecking, is only indirectly associated with it.     

A pecking device as an environmental enrichment for caged laying hens

To improve the welfare of caged laying hens, a pecking device made of stones was introduced on the cage floor. Twenty‐four White Leghorn hens aged 15 months were divided into four groups: single‐housed hens with device, single‐housed control hens, pair‐housed hens with device and pair‐housed control hens. Hens housed with the device pecked at various pecking objects less often than control hens. Agonistic behavior was also lower in hens with the device than in hens without the device, implied a possibility of improvement in quality of pecking stimuli with the device. Not only time spent pecking, but also quality of pecking might be important to fill their need for stimulation. Both single‐ and pair‐housed hens more often pecked at the device in the evening. Response to various pecking objects also showed that pecking behaviors were most frequently expressed in the evening. Increased foraging at dusk is a well‐known habit; therefore, the increase in pecking behavior in the evening might reflect the hens' general circadian rhythm. These results indicate that the device made of stones could promote some instinctive behavior. Enhancement of behavioral repertories and reduced agonistic behavior with the pecking device might improve the welfare of caged laying hens.     

慢性应激对AA肉鸡生产性能和肉质的影响

 研究三种慢性应激因素包括社会隔离饲养,高密度饲养和频繁干扰饲养对肉鸡生产性能和肉质的影响。分别于饲养期的第6、7、8、9周末早8∶00对所有鸡进行胫长、胫围及体重的测量;于饲养期的第9周末屠宰所有鸡只,测定以下肉质指标：pH值、肉色、滴水损失、剪切力、粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量。试验结果表明：(1)应激因素对肉鸡体重有一定影响。6周龄时各处理组间体重无显著差异,7周龄时频繁干扰组和散放组的肉鸡体重显著高于社会隔离组和高密度组,8周龄时频繁干扰组和散放组的肉鸡体重显著高于高密度组,9周龄时散放组肉鸡体重显著高于其它三组,社会隔离组肉鸡体重显著高于高密度组;应激因素对肉鸡胫围没有影响;应激因素对肉鸡胫长有一定影响。6、7、8周龄时各组间胫长差异不显著,9周龄时散放组胫长显著高于其它三组。(2)应激因素对肉鸡肉质有一定影响。各处理组肉鸡的pH值、剪切力、粗蛋白含量和肉色之间的差异都不显著;社会隔离组的滴水损失显著高于其它三组;散养组肉鸡的粗脂肪含量显著低于其他三组。     

Cage size and enrichment effects on the bone quality and fluctuating asymmetry of fattening rabbits

We studied the effect of increased cage size on different aspects of bone quality (bone strength, diameter, weight, and length) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA). Such characteristics may indicate improved animal welfare, as greater bone quality may decrease fracture incidence during handling, whereas decreased FA has been suggested to signal decreased stress. As stress is likely not only influenced by the quantity of space, but also by its quality, we also studied the effect of environmental enrichment. Groups of 8 rabbits were housed in wire open-top cages of 0.40, 0.46, 0.53, 0.64, 0.80, 1.07, and 1.60 m(2) from weaning until slaughter. All cages of 0.40 and 0.46 m(2) (12 cages/size) were left barren to allow sufficient mobility. One-half of the larger cages were enriched with a wooden-enrichment structure that could be used to gnaw on, hide in, or lie in (6 cages per size × enrichment treatment). Increased cage size led to an increase in tibiofibula diameter (P = 0.008), a tendency for increased tibiofibula weight (P = 0.051), and decreased FA (P = 0.010), suggesting improved welfare. Bone length and strength were not affected by cage size (P > 0.1). Enrichment did not affect FA (P > 0.1), in contrast with our expectations based on previous glucocorticoid analysis. This discrepancy between indicators may be due to sensitivity to other types of stressors or different sensitive periods. In summary, rabbits housed in larger cages had wider, heavier bones, but the absence of changes in bone strength indicate that this is unlikely to result in decreased fracture incidence. In larger cages, FA was lower, suggesting a favorable effect on welfare, whereas no effect of enrichment was shown.     

不同饲养密度对笼养蛋鸡十二指肠肠道菌群的影响

本试验采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)-变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)方法探究不同饲养密度对笼养海兰灰蛋鸡十二指肠肠道菌群的影响。随机选取1 250只11周龄海兰灰蛋鸡,按照不同饲养密度随机分为5个组:A组900 cm2/只、B组675 cm2/只、C组540 cm2/只、D组450 cm2/只、E组380 cm2/只,每个组内50个重复。5个组均在相同的环境和饲养管理模式下进行饲养。分别于16、26、50周龄时,在每个组中随机选取5只鸡,取十二指肠内容物,用PCR-DGGE法进行肠道菌群分析。结果表明,在同一个饲养密度内,随着饲养周龄的增加笼养蛋鸡十二指肠肠道菌群结构相似系数逐渐减小;16周龄时高密度组与低密度组之间十二指肠肠道菌群结构相似性很高,即肠道菌群结构差异较小;26和50周龄时高密度组与低密度组之间十二指肠肠道菌群结构相似性很低,即肠道菌群结构差异很大。由此可见,随着饲养周龄的增加笼养蛋鸡十二指肠肠道菌群结构差异增大;2种有益菌(Lactobacillus gastricus和Lactobacillus alvi)在高饲养密度组(D组和E组)中消失,饲养密度高于450 cm2/只对笼养蛋鸡十二指肠肠道菌群结构具有不利的影响。     

散养对皖南三黄鸡生长性能及肉品质的影响

为探究散养对皖南三黄鸡生长性能和肉品质的影响,试验选择80羽4周龄、体重相近、健康无病的的皖南三黄鸡,随机分为笼养组和散养组,笼养组每只鸡单笼,每组40个重复。试验期9周。结果表明:6周龄时散养组体重高于笼养组(P<0.05),试验期散养组胫围高于笼养组(P<0.05);笼养组的肌肉滴水损失率、蒸煮损失率和失水率以及腿肌水分、粗脂肪含量和pH高于散养组(P<0.05);与散养鸡相比,笼养鸡生长速度较快,但散养鸡肌肉系水力高于笼养鸡(P<0.05),表明散养鸡肉品质优于笼养鸡。综上,生产者应该根据自身情况以及不同市场对鸡肉产品的不同要求选用适宜的饲养方式。