Animal Welfare Student Scholarships Recent Projects

2026

Coming soon.

2025

Determination of the welfare status of donkeys in Urban and Rural settings of Njoro

Dennis Kipkorir
Egerton University, Kenya
Supervisor: Dr Wyckliff Ngetich, Egerton University, Kenya

This study seeks to assess the welfare status of working donkeys and compare it between the rural and urban setting of Njoro Sub-County, Kenya. It shall also assess knowledge and practices of owners and users on donkey welfare. The findings of this study will support the measures to improve welfare of working donkeys and help profile the importance of donkeys so as to be included in national and county government extension plans in Kenya.

Development and first application of a protocol to assess the welfare of pasture-kept horses

Eleonara Ventura
University of Bologna, Italy

Horses are mainly kept in individual loose boxes but in the last decades, other types of husbandry systems have been increasingly used, including pasture-based systems. Welfare protocols have been developed for box-stabled horses while are lacking for pasture-kept horses. Even if pasture is considered to better meet the horses’ ethological requirements, it is not free from welfare risks.

With these premises, the aims of this project are: 1) to develop an objective and feasible protocol to assess the welfare of pasture-kept horses; 2) to perform a first application of the developed protocol on Italian Heavy Draft Horses (IHDHs) kept at pasture in Italy. To develop the protocol the most indicative animal-based measures and resource-based measures will be selected analysing the literature. The protocol will be developed taking into account the five Domain approach. Once the protocol is developed, the first application will be done to test it in the field and to assess a significant number of herds (n=86 farms) of IHDHs kept at pasture in Italy. The project will last six months. During the first month, the protocol will be developed, then the following three months will be used for data collection (application of the protocol). Finally, the last two months will be spent analysing the data and writing the thesis. This project will contribute to enhancing the welfare of horses by proposing and applying an ad hoc welfare protocol. The main welfare issues and benefits of this type of husbandry will be identified and recommendations on how to better manage those horses will be provided. The breeders will be further educated on those recommendations and on how to use the protocol to self-evaluate the welfare of their animals.

Does personality matter? Determining the personality of teaching horses and its relationship with handling tolerance and animal welfare

Ellie Cox
Harper Adams University, UK
Supervisor: Dr Holly Vickery, Harper Adams University, UK

Teaching horses at Harper Adams University (and across the educational sector) are used to teach students routine tasks and husbandry, such as putting on a head collar. Horses are expected to allow students, even those unfamiliar to themselves and equines in general, to practice placing a head collar on them. This is often repetitive with numerous students in a session and may be a welfare risk.

Research has hypothesized that greater understanding of animal personality can be used to improve animal welfare. Welfare is often categorised on a species or group level however, understanding individuals allows us to adapt welfare to specific preferences and needs. An individual’s coping mechanisms may be important for its welfare as what one animals’ cope with another will find detrimental. It has been found in humans that coping styles can be linked to stress related diseases.

Personality testing allows for a deeper understanding of an animal’s coping mechanisms and could result in improved welfare if management can be altered. When considering this in relation to teaching horses understanding equine personality could help to identify strengths, weakness and potential stressors, therefore improving their welfare overall if activity can be tailored to account for this. Personality is an important consideration in teaching horses’ welfare due to its large impact on a horse’s performance. For example, “fearfulness” would be undesirable as horses are expected to be handled by unfamiliar students who vary in experience. This study will determine behavioural profiles of teaching horses and how this impacts their response to a routine teaching task involving handling by unfamiliar vs familiar people. Horses are widely used for teaching tasks and this study’s findings could be utilised when considering protocols to identify horses most appropriate for teaching activities and therefore improve overall teaching horse welfare

You can read Ellie’s blogpost about the experience as a UFAW Scholar.

Assessing welfare challenges in UK free-range laying hens: a pilot study examining the links between intestinal parasites, immune stress and bird behaviour

Finley Melnikoff
University of Bristol, UK
Supervisor: Dr Sarah Lambton, University of Bristol, UK

The transition of the UK laying hen industry from cage-based to free-range systems has been largely motivated by consumer demand for higher welfare standards. These systems allow hens to engage in natural behaviours like dustbathing and foraging, yet they also present new welfare challenges including an increased exposure to parasites in faeces and soil and a higher risk of mortality from cannibalistic feather pecking. Despite widespread recognition of both issues, there remains little research examining a relationship between parasitism and injurious pecking.

The aim of this pilot project is to explore potential associations between parasite burdens, indicators of immune and metabolic stress, and the prevalence of injurious pecking in free-range laying hens. The study will involve collecting hens that have died naturally or been culled for welfare reasons on commercial free-range farms, then conducting postmortem exams examining spleen and liver weight, body condition, and burdens of the intestinal nematodes Ascardia galli and Heterakis gallinarum. In parallel, behavioural observations will be conducted on-farm and soil and litter samples will be collected to test for contamination with A. galli and H. gallinarum eggs.

This research aims to determine if there is a relationship between parasitism, immunological and metabolic stress, and injurious pecking. If an association is found, it may lead to targeted interventions for hens with heightened susceptibility – including better parasite management protocols with outdoor ranges in mind, dietary modifications to increase immune function, or improved environmental enrichment to reduce injurious pecking. As a pilot study, finding these associations will serve as a foundation for larger-scale research which could identify precise causal pathways between these variables. Ultimately, this project aims to advance the understanding of the health and welfare of free-range laying hens and the risk factors for poor welfare in these systems.

Kampala metropolitan area and the associated welfare challenges

Henry Mutumba
Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor: Dr Dickson Tayebwa, Makerere University, Uganda

Dogs are among the most common companion animals in urban settings, yet their welfare is often compromised due to inadequate housing conditions. In the Kampala Metropolitan Area, the increasing human population and rapid urbanization have led to a rise in pet ownership, particularly of dogs, but with limited attention to proper sheltering and welfare standards. Studies indicate that over 60% of urban dog owners in Uganda provide substandard housing, exposing the animals to extreme weather conditions, disease risks, and increased vulnerability to abuse or neglect. One of the critical challenges in dog welfare is the lack of proper shelter, which affects both the animals and public health. Poorly housed dogs are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, parasitic infestations, and infectious diseases, some of which pose zoonotic threats to the surrounding human population. Reports suggest that over 40% of canine diseases in Uganda are linked to unhygienic and overcrowded living conditions. Additionally, stray and poorly sheltered dogs contribute to the rising cases of dog bites and rabies transmission, with Uganda ranking among the high-burden rabies-endemic countries in Africa.

Despite the existence of animal welfare regulations, compliance and enforcement remain weak due to inadequate awareness among dog owners and limited implementation by authorities. Many pet owners lack knowledge of proper housing structures and the associated legal requirements. This knowledge gap, coupled with socio-economic challenges, has hindered the adoption of humane dog sheltering practices. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including education, policy reinforcement, and community engagement

This project aims to evaluate the different housing conditions of dogs in the Kampala Metropolitan Area and assess the level of awareness and adherence to existing animal welfare and sheltering guidelines among dog owners. This will help us identify welfare challenges associated with inadequate dog sheltering. The study will employ a cross-sectional descriptive research design to evaluate dog housing conditions in the Kampala Metropolitan Area. The design is appropriate for assessing the current state of dog sheltering, identifying associated challenges, and examining levels of awareness and adherence to animal welfare guidelines among dog owners. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches will be integrated to provide a comprehensive analysis of the issue.

Assessing domestic dog welfare problems in communities bordering wildlife conservation areas in Monduli District, Tanzania

Leah Mwanisawa
Sokoine University, Tanzania
Supervisor: Dr Richard Samson, Sokoine University, Tanzania

Domestic dogs in the pastoralist communities of Monduli District encounter numerous welfare challenges, exacerbated by uncontrolled interactions between domestic dogs and wildlife in areas bordering Tarangire National Park, increasing the risk of disease transmission. Additionally, limited access to veterinary services and misconceptions about proper dog care contribute to a reliance on traditional remedies rather than professional veterinary treatment. While most dog welfare research in Tanzania focuses on urban areas, there is little exploration of rural, agro-pastoral contexts such as Monduli District, where animal welfare remains a significant concern.

This study seeks to evaluate the welfare challenges faced by dogs in communities adjacent to wildlife conservation areas in Monduli District, Tanzania. Specifically, it aims to determine the prevalence of welfare issues among domestic dogs in these communities, identify the primary challenges affecting their well-being, and examine the socioeconomic and cultural factors contributing to poor dog welfare in the region. The findings will help bridge this knowledge gap by providing localized data on the specific welfare issues affecting dogs in Monduli.

By gaining a deeper understanding of the unique needs and challenges in these communities, this research will support the development of targeted interventions to enhance dog welfare and promote healthier human-animal relationships. The study is essential as it aligns with broader animal welfare improvement efforts, focusing on the well-being of domestic dogs in Monduli District. Additionally, it will identify and document key welfare challenges, highlight associated risk factors, and offer practical recommendations to improve the health and quality of life of domestic dogs in the region.

Assessment of management practices and their influence on the productivity and welfare of indigenous chickens in smallholder farms in northern Namibia

Marilyn Bauleth
University of Namibia, Namibia
Supervisor: Dr Baby Kaurivi, University of Namibia, Namibia

Smallholder farming plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods in Northern Namibia, with indigenous chickens being a vital source of food security and income. However, productivity in these systems is often constrained by suboptimal management practices, which can negatively impact both animal welfare and economic returns. This study aims to evaluate the management practices used in smallholder farms and assess their influence on the productivity and welfare of indigenous chickens.

A key animal welfare concern in these systems is the lack of standardized husbandry practices, including inadequate housing, improper nutrition, disease management challenges, and limited access to veterinary care. Poor housing conditions, such as overcrowding and lack of protection from extreme weather, can lead to increased stress, disease susceptibility, and mortality. Additionally, nutritional deficiencies due to inconsistent feeding practices may result in poor growth rates, reduced egg production, and weakened immune function. Furthermore, the absence of proper disease prevention and control measures contributes to high morbidity and mortality, leading to significant losses for farmers. By conducting on-farm observations and engaging with farmers through structured questionnaires, this study will identify the key management factors affecting the welfare and productivity of indigenous chickens. Data collection will focus on housing conditions, feeding practices, disease prevalence, and farmers’ knowledge of animal welfare standards. The findings will provide insight into the most critical challenges faced by smallholder farmers and highlight areas where targeted interventions can improve both productivity and animal welfare.

The expected outcomes of this study include recommendations for cost-effective and practical management improvements tailored to resource-limited settings. By promoting better housing designs, improved feeding strategies, and basic disease prevention measures, this research aims to enhance the well-being of indigenous chickens while simultaneously improving farm productivity. Additionally, the study’s findings can serve as a foundation for awareness campaigns and training programs, equipping smallholder farmers with the knowledge needed to implement sustainable, welfare-friendly practices.

Perching requirements of laying hens: preferences for grasping and elevation

Olaseke Johnson
University of Guelph, Canada
Supervisor: Professor Tina Widowski, University of Guelph, Canada

Perching is considered to be a behavioural need for laying hens, with the provision of perches required in all alternative housing systems. This project would be focused on knowing the perching requirements of laying hens, their preferences for grasping and elevation. There have been numerous studies on the preferences of hens for different shapes, sizes, heights and perch materials, While the preferred perch characteristics have been discussed in literatures, several inconsistent findings and gaps in knowledge still exist.

This project would address the gaps in knowledge by determining the preferences of hens for perching structures that allow elevation and grasping (round perches) versus those that do not(platforms) and to determine how hens prioritize seeking elevation versus their ability to grasp a structure and to compare differences between white-and brown-feathered strain. The results from this project would inform updates and revision to the Code of Practice which will enhance the welfare of laying hens by developing best practices for housing based on laying hens’ preferences and motivation.

Evaluation of the social and handling stress response in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) through the measurement of heart rate variability and behavioural changes

Valentina Quiroz
Universidad Santo Tomas, Chile
Supervisor: Professor Beatriz Zapata Salfate

Measurement of heart rate (HR) has been used to determine the stress response and evaluate well-being in livestock species since the early 1970s. However, according to the latest physiological and behavioural studies, heart rate variability (HRV) has been shown to be more accurate for studying the activity of the autonomic nervous system. Alpacas are domestic camelids that are used to obtain fibre, in animal therapies and as a companion animal. Numerous herds are found in the central area of Chile and many specimens have been exported to Europe, North America, Australia and China, illustrating the global interest in this type of animal native to the southern cone of America. Although studies have been carried out that describe the stress response and its severity in domestic camelids to handling, studies in these species are scarcer than in other species. Indeed, heart rate variability (HRV) has been barely evaluated, which according to current knowledge is the best way to evaluate the activity of the autonomic nervous system, in addition to being a non-invasive measurement. In this study, the physiological and behavioural response of alpacas to routine handling will be described and we hypothesized that stronger handling produces a greater stress response, evidenced by an increase in heart rate, lower HRV and an increase in behavioural stress responses. The response of a group of alpacas will be evaluated to social stressors such as interaction with humans and social isolation, and to handling such as physical restraint for routine handling (e.g. claw trimming). The measurement will be performed with a Polar Vantage V® cardiac monitor. With this evaluation and better understanding the stress response to handling, practical recommendations can be made to reduce stress and promote better welfare for alpacas.

2024

A report on the prevalence of keel bone damages in layer chicken under different production systems in Njoro Sub-County, Kenya

Collins Kipkoech Kirui
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Egerton University, Kenya
Supervisor: Dr Samuel Nyaga

Keel bone damage (KBD) in laying hens is a major welfare concern in poultry production. Damage to the keel bone generally affects productivity and health of the chicken. Despite the growing concern about KBD, there has not been any research focusing on KBD in Kenya. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of keel bone damages in layers raised in different production systems within Njoro Sub-County. The second aim of the project was to assess the knowledge of chicken farmers on KBD. Samples were collected from chicken abattoirs. The keel bones were examined for deviations, fractures and general configuration. A total of 150 keel bones were examined. Findings revealed KBD is common with a prevalence of 65%, of which keel bone fractures account for 14% and deviations 51%. The results also suggested that production system had an influence on the occurrence of KBD. High incidences of deviations and fractures were observed in bones from birds reared in battery cages. A total number of 80 farmers answered a questionnaire and 77 of these (96%) were not aware of the existence of KBD.

Effect of environmental enrichment during pregnancy on the welfare and performance of pre-weaning rabbits

Daniele Alencar
Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil
Supervisor: Dr Ruan Daros

Rabbits under conventional production systems are often housed in cages. This compromises their well-being by restricting their behaviour. The adoption of outdoor breeding systems as a form of environmental enrichment is a promising alternative. However, few studies have been conducted in this specific context. It is known that environmental enrichment during gestation can influence offspring through epigenetic inheritance, but its repercussion on foetal programming and future generations has not yet been fully understood. Thus, this study aims to analyse the effect of raising rabbits in outdoor pens during gestation on the behaviour of pre-weaning rabbits, using behavioural tests and biochemical exams to assess stress and activity. The experiment was conducted with 14 breeding does divided into two treatments: 1) does housed in conventional cages, and 2) does housed in an outdoor environment. Reproductive behaviour of does was assessed by observation of male acceptance and nest building. After birth, two random pups from each litter were selected. For the pups, behavioural tests included an open field test, a novel object test, and a dam-pup reunion test, while biochemical exams quantified salivary cortisol and blood creatine kinase. Data were statistically analysed using mixed-effects generalized linear regression models to identify behavioural and physiological differences between treatments. Results are pending, but we expect to provide important insights into the effects of environmental enrichment during gestation on the behaviour and health of pre-weaning rabbits and reproductive behaviour of does, contributing to the development of more appropriate management practices in rabbit production.

Welfare assessment of slaughter livestock (cattle and pigs) during transport in North Macedonia, with an emphasis on thermal stress

Jana Kjortoshev
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Ss. Cyril and Methodius, North Macedonia
Supervisor: Professor Miroslav Kjosevski

Livestock transport as a common management practice presents a challenging experience for animals, especially in terms of animal welfare. Up to date legislation has not yet included proper welfare assessment protocols during transport, especially in the event of thermal stress. Therefore, the aim of this project was to identify potential indicators for welfare assessment during transport of pigs and cattle, with an emphasis on thermal stress indicators. Through literature research we identified potential indicators for the welfare assessment during transport. All of the data from the assessment were collected using custom made record sheets and work protocols. A total of 6 transports were assessed (5 pig transports and 1 cattle transport). Based on the results, the transports were of poor quality. The average time that the animals were in heat stress was 77 minutes for pigs and 113 minutes for heifers. All of the pig transports led to increases in hygiene score (higher means poorer hygiene), integument alterations, abdominal breathing (38% ± 26.96), panting (33.5% ± 29.74) and foaming around the mouth (37.83% ± 36.43). Regarding qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA), the frequency of positive behavioural descriptors was decreased after the transport. These potential indicators contribute to the welfare assessments during transport, however further research is needed.

Exploring variations in hair cortisol concentrations among different hair colours in cats

Kirsten Nutter
University of Lincoln, UK
Supervisor: Andrew Cooke

Hair cortisol is increasingly being used in animal welfare science as an indicator of negative/long-term stress in animals, assessed by concentration. Various studies have indicated that hair colour may affect the cortisol concentration, however, the evidence for this is mixed; whilst some studies do observe a difference in hair cortisol concentrations by hair colour (Bennett and Hayssen, 2010; Bowland et al., 2020; Moody et al., 2022), others do not (Rosen et al., 2016). This poses a clear issue and risks undermining the validity of studies using hair cortisol. As a result, it is essential that we understand factors that could influence hair cortisol levels that should be controlled or accounted for during future (and past) research. Furthermore, this phenomenon has not been thoroughly assessed in cats, with evidence to date predominantly being from cattle and dogs.

This project aims to assess variations in cortisol concentrations in cat hair based on the colour of the hair; the null hypothesis states that there is no significant difference in hair cortisol concentration between different colour hair. Hair from bi-colour cats was collected (black and white OR ginger and white), which provided paired samples for direct comparison. Primary information about each cat was also collected, such as age, sex, breed, neutering status etc. Once collected, hair samples were cleaned and ground, and the cortisol was extracted and quantified via ELISA. Cortisol concentrations were then directly compared across hair colours using a paired T-test. A significant difference was determined between cortisol concentrations in black/ginger hair compared to white hair throughout (p<0.001). To date, evidence is mixed as to whether hair colour does affect the accumulation of cortisol, and whether the colour has the same effect in every animal. Ultimately, it is essential that we understand factors that could influence differences in cortisol accumulation in animals. Testing this in cats will aid future research to improve methods of measuring stress and the relative welfare of cats.

Comparative analysis of animal welfare environment, legislation and best practices – North Macedonian vs European perspectives

Kristijan Salamovski
University of St Kliment Ohridski, Bitola, North Macedonia
Supervisors: Paulin Jirkof, University of Zurich, Switzerland and Andrew Janczak, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Oslo, Norway

The aim of the project was to provide specific recommendations for the improvement of animal welfare in different types of animals, based on a comparative analysis between North Macedonia, Norway, and Switzerland. The objectives were to analyse and compare the current best practices, institutional frameworks, and legal environment, related to animal welfare in Norway, Switzerland, and North Macedonia by examining different types of animals (farm animals, domestic animals, animals in captivity, and wild animals). Through the benchmarking of the best practices, standards, and legislation, the goal was to identify opportunities for transfer of experience that could improve animal welfare standards in North Macedonia, based on proven practices from Norway and Switzerland. The research was implemented with a documentary analysis, interviews, and surveys with a group of key stakeholders from various types of institutions, to capture both formal regulations and practical implementation challenges. Mentored by experts from the University of Zürich, Switzerland Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway and University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, the project benefitted from international expertise across European animal welfare systems. The analysis reveals sophisticated welfare infrastructures in Norway and Switzerland, characterised by comprehensive legal frameworks, advanced monitoring systems, and effective implementation mechanisms, that could serve as models for North Macedonia, which currently operates under a more basic framework through its Law on Animal Protection and Welfare. The findings underscore the importance of constitutional protection for animal welfare, detailed species-specific regulations, automated monitoring systems and clear enforcement mechanisms as key components of effective animal welfare governance.

Animal welfare assessment using the Shelter Quality Protocol (SQP) in selected dog shelters in Central Uganda

Lewis Ashabahebwa
College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor: Dr Dickson Tayebwa and Dr Paul Ssuna

Central Uganda has a growing number of animal shelters, particularly in urban areas, where demand for shelter services has increased due to rising numbers of stray and abandoned dogs. However, resource scarcity and overpopulation at the facilities precipitate poor physical, health and behavioural states in the dogs, lowering their adoptability. We conducted a cross-sectional animal welfare assessment study in four selected animal shelters from Central Uganda between June and August 2024 using the Shelter Quality Protocol (SQP). Key animal-based welfare issues observed were underweight body condition, diarrhoea, skin lesions, pain, fear and aggression, and stereotypic behaviours. Key shelter input factors that compromised welfare were exercise restriction, lack of pain control measures, limited veterinary care, irregular disease prevention procedures, poor feeding practices, inadequate bedding, overcrowding, and structural deficits in housing facilities. Our findings indicated that the welfare of a majority of the shelter dogs was suboptimal, limiting their chances of adoption. Addressing these concerns requires collaborating with local veterinarians, mandating strict disease prevention protocols, implementing daily dog socialization and exercise routines, and enhancing living spaces and feeding practices. Support and oversight from the government would promote improved and sustainable welfare standards in shelters.

Public-friendly account: assessing animal welfare standards of selected local beef abattoirs and informal slaughterhouses in Namibia

Mauricio Adelino
University of Namibia, Namibia
Supervisor: Dr Yolande Baby Kaurivi

Local abattoirs are vital for communities, providing safe and good quality meat while supporting livelihoods. However, challenges remain in meeting animal welfare and safety standards, particularly in informal, small-holder facilities. This project evaluated compliance with animal welfare standards in local abattoirs and informal slaughterhouses in Namibia, using export abattoirs standards, focusing on key practices such as animal handling, housing, and slaughter techniques. The study revealed significant differences in compliance levels. Smaller slaughterhouses often struggled due to inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and insufficient staff training. These challenges contributed to increased animal stress, poor sanitation, and compromised meat quality, raising public health concerns. Larger facilities demonstrated better compliance, benefiting from superior infrastructure and trained personnel. Importantly, the research identified low-cost, practical solutions to address these gaps. Recommendations include routine staff training in humane handling techniques, better maintenance of animal holding areas, and regular inspections to ensure adherence to welfare protocols. Many of these measures are affordable and feasible, even for resource-constrained facilities. This research underscores the importance of investing in the maintenance of good animal welfare standards, not only as an ethical imperative for the sake of the animals but also to safeguard public health and enhance the meat industry’s reputation. By implementing these improvements, Namibia’s abattoirs can provide humane treatment for animals, safer meat for consumers, and align with both local and international standards.

Enhancing donkey welfare in Endulen ward, Ngorongoro district: a comprehensive assessment

Megoliki Meng’oru Lengolong
Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Supervisor: Dr Isaac P. Kashoma

This study assessed the welfare of working donkeys in Endulen Ward, Ngorongoro District, based on responses from 62 female participants (17 to 35 years of age), as women are the primary donkey caregivers in the community.

All donkeys were mainly used for packing, especially (76%) for fetching water and carrying firewood. Donkey usage ranged from 1–8 hours per day, with 55% starting work at 08:00 and 64% ending by 14:00 hrs. Only 5% used their donkeys daily, and the majority (58%) used them occasionally when needed.

All donkeys were ranging free to feed, and health issues were largely managed by allowing self-healing (97%), with minimal use of traditional medicine (3%). Lameness was observed by 73% of respondents and linked mainly to injuries. No abnormalities aside from lameness or lesions were reported. All lameness cases were managed by resting the donkey. Lesions inflicted by rope friction (40%) and harness issues were reported by all respondents. This was despite the use of cushioning materials during work, suggesting inadequacies in harnessing or overloading. All female donkeys bred naturally without owner intervention, and all respondents lacked knowledge on breeding signs and reproductive intervals, indicating a knowledge gap in reproductive management.

This study provides an understanding of the usage patterns, health status, and general welfare conditions of working donkeys in Endulen Ward, Ngorongoro District. The findings reveal a strong reliance on donkeys for essential domestic chores. These tasks are especially critical in remote areas where access to infrastructure and transportation is limited. The findings highlighted an urgent need to improve harness quality and fit as well as to provide training on safe loading and working practices.

Overall, the study underscores that despite donkeys’ crucial role in rural livelihoods, their welfare is frequently compromised due to poor husbandry practices, lack of education of caregivers, and inadequate support systems. There is an urgent need for targeted interventions that promote humane handling, strengthen veterinary outreach, and build local capacity in animal welfare. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic, community-based approach that integrates animal health services, capacity building, and culturally appropriate welfare education. By tackling these issues through community engagement, improved equipment, and health education, the quality of life for donkeys can be substantially enhanced—ultimately benefiting the people who depend on them.

2023

Use of pecking blocks as foraging enrichment for improvement of feather condition in enriched cages

Alvaro Arroyave
University of Guelph, Canada
Supervisor: Dr Alexandra Harlander

The majority of laying hen operations worldwide continue to use cage-based housing systems, where hen welfare, particularly relating to feather pecking and the ensuing feather damage, has significant health and financial impacts on the birds and farmers. Pecking blocks (PBs) are increasingly used as enrichment in poultry production systems to improve natural foraging behaviour. To address the knowledge gap related to the use of PBs in cage-based housing, this study aimed to evaluate the preference and benefits of three (A, B, C) commercially available PBs in two strains of laying hens (Bovans Brown and Dekalb White). While the data show that hens interacted well with all three PBs, overall, hens preferred interacting with PB B. Notably, PB B had the loosest texture and highest moisture content, suggesting that textural consideration may be critical for PB choice. At a strain level, white-feathered Dekalb White hens showed no preference for a single PB, while brown-feathered Bovans Brown birds showed a significant preference for PB B. In addition, the findings suggest that placing PBs above the scratch mat elicited a significantly higher level of interaction compared to placing PBs on the scratch mat or above the feed trough. This data indicates that the presence of scratch mats can enhance PB usage. No differences in feather cover were observed among the three PBs tested throughout the course of the experiment, suggesting that the presence of PBs, regardless of the type, may have curtailed feather pecking behaviour and feather damage. The findings from this study provide tangible enrichment strategies to farmers when using PBs with the ultimate goal of improving the welfare of the millions of cage-housed hens.

Contactless measurement of body temperature in rescued wild hedgehogs for health and welfare monitoring

Colette Chien
University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Supervisor(s): Dr Nuno H. Franco,University of Porto, Portugal & Professor Rick D’eath, SRUC, United Kingdom

Stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) is a physiological reaction to an acute stressor that results in the elevation of core body temperature. In this pilot study, we recorded body temperature in response to three mild acute stressors in the Western European hedgehog for the detection of SIH. Passive integrated transponders (PIT) tags are subcutaneously implanted microchips that are often utilised for identification purposes. We implanted thermosensitive PIT-tags for contactless body temperature assessment of hedgehogs as an alternative to traditional rectal thermometers. To determine whether European hedgehogs manifest stress-induced hyperthermia, we recorded body temperature in ten animals before (T0) and five minutes (T5) after handling, open field, new cage, and control treatments.

We found that mean body temperature was significantly higher at T5 than T0 across subjects and treatments, suggesting the presence of SIH in European hedgehogs. We further discovered a significant temperature difference between sexes, with female body temperature observed to be higher in all treatments and timepoints. The present data reveals PIT-tags as a beneficial method for assessment of body temperature in hedgehogs, appropriate for both clinical and scientific applications. Furthermore, we found evidence that European hedgehogs display hyperthermia in response to acute stressors.

Stress in domestic cats: a multidisciplinary approach evaluating hair cortisol associated with coat color, body temperature, temperament, and cat-guardian bond

Florencia Barrios
University of the Republic, Uraguay
Supervisor(s): Professor Juan Pablo Damián, University of the Republic, Uraguay & Professor Monique Udell, Oregon State University, USA

The response to stress is of great importance to evaluate the well-being and health of animals, with chronic stress being the one that has the greatest impact and negative repercussions. The measurement of cortisol in hair is one of the most used indicators of chronic stress in various species, highlighting that it is a non-invasive and easy-to-perform technique. Despite its advantages, to date the basic aspects of cortisol in cat hair linked to aspects such as coat colour, season of the year and individual characteristics such as personality and behaviour have not been studied.

The present work aims to determine if the levels of cortisol in the hair of this species vary with demographic, behavioural and psychosocial characteristics. For this, 40 crossbred cats was used, 20 black cats and 20 white cats in groups of equal numbers of neutered and unneutered cats, and whether or not they lived with other cats. Hair samples were collected in each annual season and the tests Feline Behavioural Assessment & Research Questionnaire (Fe-BARQ) (Behaviour and temperament), Felineality (Personality, but in cats) Assessment, Attachment style (Cat-guardian attachment), Lexington test (Guardian-cat attachment) and the Sociability Test (Sociability) carried out.

By generating a behavioural, demographic and psychosocial profile of the cat, we will seek to compare the results of these with the levels of cortisol found in the hair samples to learn more about the stress response in this species and how to work on tools that Promote your well-being based on this.

Impact of current breeding practices on the health and wellbeing of breeding mouse dam

Gaia Serra
University of Padua, Italy
Supervisor Dr Christina Boyle-Neuner, University of Zurich, Switzerland

In Switzerland, 64% of experimental animals are mice, amounting to more than 369 436 mice used for experimental purposed in 2021 (Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen BLV, 2021). We assume that these mice are born from healthy breeders, but we do not have solid evidence to support this notion. The current breeding methods are structured to maximise the reproductive success and can thus result in the breeding dam experiencing multiple cycles of concurrent pregnancy and lactation. We presume that concurrent pregnancy and lactation leads to some metabolic and physical strain on the dam, yet whether it affects the wellbeing of the dam is poorly understood.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the current breeding methods reduce the welfare of the mouse dams. The physiological health and behaviour of the dams were analysed after 1, 2, or 4 pregnancy cycles. Dam body weight and food intake were monitored during the entire experiment. Pup retrieval tests were conducted on postpartum day three, six, and nine. Finally, immunohistochemistry of dam brains was performed to analyse leptin sensitivity and quantify oxytocin expression in the hypothalamus.

An effect of number of pregnancy cycles was observed in the body weight and food intake parameters. Multiparous dams were significantly heavier than primiparous dams and female virgins and had a lower food intake than primiparous dams. We found that maternal behaviour during pup retrieval test is more influenced by strain than by reproductive experience.

Immunostaining of mouse dam hypothalamus demonstrated the presence of neurons expressing oxytocin and leptin-responsiveness, yet further analysis is required to draw conclusions about the impact of concurrent pregnancy and lactation on these measures.

By your side – How social support affects habituation, training and test results of piglets in a Judgement Bias Task

Martina Kröll
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna
Supervisor(s): Dr Sara Hintze & Professor Christoph Winckler

As humans we know that that it can be reassuring to have someone by our side in challenging situations. We assume that other social species benefit from this effect, known as social support, too. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of social support on pigs trained and tested on a Judgement Bias Task (JBT), a task designed to determine if an animal is rather optimistically or pessimistically minded. Studying animals’ responses in such a task helps us to understand how they perceive their environment and what they feel in different situations. In a JBT, animals are usually trained and tested in social isolation to make data collection more convenient and to avoid distraction potentially caused by other individuals. However, science suggests that social isolation can be a stressor itself, which seems quite counterintuitive when we want to assess animals’ emotions.

This is why we compared piglets trained and tested in social isolation with piglets going through the same procedure, but with social support, i.e. companion animals on their side, with whom they could have visual and physical contact during training and testing. Piglets did not differ regarding learning speed or the test results as both groups responded similarly optimistic/pessimistic in the task. However, isolated pigs showed more fear-related behaviour, e.g. squealing and escape attempts. Our findings suggest to consider using companion animals in behavioural tests to enhance pig welfare in research, but further research is required gain a deeper understanding of the advantages of social support and how to best use social companion animals in research with pigs and potentially other social species.

Is netting a zebrafish a ‘welfare no-no’? Refinement of handling methods for laboratory zebrafish

Sammy Roihu Berninger
University of Stirling, United Kingdom
Supervisor: Dr Clare Andrews, University of Stirling, UK

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used in laboratories around the world. Despite this, their welfare in laboratory conditions has not been widely studied. Net-handling of zebrafish has been found to cause physiological stress and anxiety-like behaviour, yet there are limited studies exploring other handling methods. The aim of this project was to compare anxiety-like responses in zebrafish handled by net versus scoop, where fish are not exposed to air. Anxiety was measured through preferences to black versus white sides of a tank as well as preferences to the lower versus upper half of the tank. These are established measures used in pharmacological research. Anxious zebrafish tend to prefer the bottom and the dark side of the tank. Additionally, measures of velocity (movement in centimetres per second) were included as high velocity has been found to indicate anxiety.

Net-handled zebrafish visited the two bottom compartments at a higher frequency than scoop-handled fish during most of the observation (between 5-20 minutes). Additionally, net-handled zebrafish had higher velocity between 10-15 minutes. Scoop-handled zebrafish spent more time during each visit to the upper black side of the tank in the beginning and middle of the observation compared to net-handled zebrafish. These results suggest that net-handling causes more anxiety to zebrafish than scoop-handling, though further research is needed. Less anxiety caused by external factors is particularly important when using zebrafish in research related to anxiety or anxiolytic/anxiogenic medication, where anxiety responses could affect data quality. Therefore, a less anxiety-inducing handling method can not only improve the welfare of the millions of laboratory zebrafish around the world, but also improve the quality of research conducted on zebrafish. Because scoop-handling zebrafish caused less anxiety-like behaviour, this method should be considered in laboratories.

Behavioural individuality and its implication for the social life of domestic pigs

Sarah Ambruosi
AgroParisTech, France
Supervisor(s): Dr Charlotte Goursot & Dr Jen-Yun Chou, University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria

Sociability is defined as the reaction to the presence or absence of conspecifics and the motivation to associate with them. Research on sociability has long been overlooked compared to other personality traits, thus limiting our understanding of behaviours and dimensions which could potentially represent it. We aimed to investigate sociability in real vs. artificial testing conditions.

We developed a Novel Peer Test (NPT) on 80 domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) to investigate sociability. Each pig was confronted with an unfamiliar conspecific, separated by a fence in a familiar environment. To validate the NPT, we performed classic personality tests, including an Open Field Test, Novel Object Test, Human Approach Test, all repeated after two weeks. Through Principal Component Analysis, we found that the NPT may distinguish pigs’ motivation to interact with a novel conspecific that is independent from novelty seeking, thus it is a promising test for the study of sociability. We also used Social Network Analysis on the social behaviours between pen-mates and showed that the personality tests did not reflect pigs’ social positions in their group.

Thus, sociability may be multidimensional as individuals behave differently when interacting with a novel individual compared to a familiar one. This could have potential implications for the welfare of animals under human care, as their social interactions are often neglected during management practices.

Evaluation of the impact of age and experience on chick’s emotional response using computer vision algorithms

Sarah Paola Juárez Jerez
University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
Supervisor(s): Dr Sara Hintze, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) & Dr Maciej Oczak, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria

Behavioural indicators of emotion are extremely useful for animals’ emotions’ assessment as animals under minimal or no stress should be able to display their natural behaviour patterns. Considering the challenges of behavioural observation, this study aimed to implement a skeleton-based Action Recognition model to detect and classify five behaviours in a group of 24 broiler chicks: Sitting Alert, Standing Alert, Preening, Exploration Pecks, and Feeding Pecks, which added up to 2687 total instances labelled across 144 videos.

A three-stage approach was used for action detection and classification, where object detection (1) and pose estimation (2) models were trained to identify individual chicks and their key body points and subsequently detect and classify the chick’s behaviours (3). A significant aspect of the study was evaluating how various approaches to data pre-processing affected the model’s performance.

Probiotic potential of Bacillus spp. and Actinomyces isolated from soil in the poultry industry

Sofija Kostandinovska
Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
Supervisor(s): Professor Natalija Atanasova-Pancevska

Animal welfare concerns remain a critical element of legislation and policy related to commercial livestock production. Pasteurized and free-range systems are increasingly becoming popular in broiler production. However, exposure to disease-causing organisms and foodborne pathogens in these environments remains a challenge. Therefore, probiotics can be used as commercial animal feed supplements in poultry diets.

In order to assess the effects of the probiotic additions on growth performance, intestinal microbiome, and caecal colonization of Salmonella in the poultry industry challenged with Salmonella enteritidis, a total of 9 commercial chicks were subjectively divided into three groups in the current study. The groups included C01: basal diet (negative control), C02: basal diet and challenged with Salmonella on 3rd day (positive control) and C03: received probiotic mix and then challenged with Salmonella. The gathered information demonstrated that the probiotics improved growth outcomes and decreased total Salmonella counts.

Assessing the welfare concerns of dogs sterilized at a free community clinic held in Kampala metropolitan area

Zozianne Hoareau
Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor(s): Dr Dickson Tayebwa, Makerere University, Uganda & Prof. Suzanne Millman, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, USA

The present study focused on identifying the welfare and ethical challenges for dogs’ sterilization during the free-community animal clinics conducted in Kampala Metropolitan Area, Uganda, from May-October 2023. Questionnaires were utilized to assess the owners’ knowledge and attitudes on the welfare of their animals, and transportation details. During the waiting period prior to surgery and in the recovery period after surgery, 91.30% and 63% of dogs did not receive any form of enrichment respectively. From the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG), procedural events had the most negative impact on welfare averaging a score of 3.52.

In the follow-up, a week post-surgery, a significant percentage of dogs were healing normally (28.3 % of females, 30.4% of males) while infection at the surgical site was reported in 11.0% of females, 2.2% in males. Assessing behavioural change of dogs, 30 days post-operative, 42.9% (females) and 50.0% (males) reportedly had increased aggression levels. The knowledge and attitudes assessment of owners towards welfare revealed that generally, dog owners had a moderate level of knowledge but held negative attitudes towards it. These findings highlight crucial welfare and stress control points for dogs sterilized at free community clinics, which may influence the outcome of the surgery and later interactions with health-care professionals respectively.

The different approaches to data cleaning showed varied impacts in performance, with the comprehensive cleaning approach, which combined all modifications, showing the highest accuracy and F1 scores across most behaviours. The findings provided insights into the importance of data quality and context-specific modifications in optimising model performance in behaviour classification, which is a valuable tool in the welfare assessment of chicks in research environments.

Assessing the welfare of dogs surgically sterilized during single day free community pet clinics in Kampala Metropolitan area, Central Uganda | Animal Welfare | Cambridge Core

2022

Development of a welfare assessment tool for pigs in extensive system of Butemba Town Council, Kyankwanzi

Nelson Achong
Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor(s): Dr Dickson Tayebwa and Dr Samuel George Okech

The number of Ugandan farmers involved in pig production has been increasing rapidly in recent years, and the majority of them are smallholders. The per capita consumption of pork in Uganda is at 3.5kg/per person/year is the highest in Africa.

Pig production in Uganda falls into three categories:

Small scale extensive. This system is the simplest, with minimal investment in housing and inputs and with an almost complete absence of supervision. Pigs are left free to roam and to forage for food, from streets, garbage dumps and land surrounding villages. Most pork produced emanates from this system.

Small scale confined. Pigs are kept in shelters ranging from simple pens made of local materials to more modern housing. Food is provided, mainly swill from restaurant leftovers and other food including e.g. potato leaves and banana peelings. Farming is mostly for subsistence purposes.

Intensive systems. Mainly based in urban areas with total confinement. Few farmers are involved in this kind of system.

Whilst a lot of research has been done on pigs produced in intensive systems, little attention has been given to the extensive system. This project aims to develop an assessment tool to measure the welfare of pigs in extensively managed systems. It will use both input/resource-based measures and output/animal based measures to assess welfare. This will then be piloted and refined during visits to selected extensive small holder farms in the Kyankwanzi district of Uganda.

Building on “Conventional laboratory housing increases morbidity and mortality in research rodents: results of a meta-analysis”

Alexandra Bis
University of Guelph, Canada
Supervisor(s): Dr Georgia Mason and Jessica Cait

Globally, laboratory mice and rats are the most widely used research vertebrates. But for the >100 million rodents used in experiments each year, how their housing affects their welfare is often little considered. Conventional laboratory rodent housing in much of the world comprises small, barren cages containing nothing more than contact bedding, and even for the 10% or so kept under the higher standards of Canada and Europe, the only addition may be nesting materials. Such cages thus restrict exploration, exercise, hiding and burrowing (plus other natural activities) and effective thermoregulation.

This project will build on a previous systematic review by Cait and Mason that showed that mice and rats in conventional cages have increased all-cause mortality rates, shortened lives, and more severe morbidity in studies modelling five stress-sensitive diseases (anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression and stroke). It aims to answer three further questions.

Which resources do rats and mice need to be protected from chronic stress?
Using body weight as a proxy, can abnormal behaviours flag the health impacts of conventional cages?
Do research results differ in conventional versus well-resourced cages?

The findings of this study will be used to make recommendations on how best to refine rodent housing systems in ways that have the greatest impact on laboratory rodent welfare and may show that rodents housed in well-resourced environments increases the validity and applicability of their results to a greater portion of the human population.

Towards a training protocol for complex operant tasks for use in rodent welfare research

Aimee Meikle
University of Glasgow, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Jasmine Clarkson

Mice are the most commonly and widely used species for scientific research, with many millions used globally each year. An important pre-requisite for their use requires adherence to the prinicple of the 3Rs, including refinement to existing procedures and protocols to make evidence based improvements to animal welfare. Taking meaninful steps to improve mouse welfare relies on our ability to understand their wants and needs and allowing for the expression of a normal behavioural repertoire despite being kept under laboratory conditions. Traditionally, preference testing has been utilised to determine the value of a specific resource and/or condition to the animal. This often involves, for example, manipulating one aspect of the animals environment, providing a choice, and determining the amount of time spent in one environment over another. However, preference testing has significant limitations including the requirement for locomotion, which can be affected by a number of different factors such as the effects of scientific procedures or induced disease status. Therefore, alternative methods that are less reliant on locomotion are needed. One paradigm that has been highlighted in recent years is the use of complex operant tasks with the field of study termed ‘operant animal welfare science’. However, despite being considered potentially powerful, operant approaches have remained under-utilised in welfare contexts.

Therefore, the aim of this project is to make progress towards a validated training protocol for laboratory mice to learn to criterion in a complex operant task that can be used in a welfare context. This will include understanding more about the factors that positively and negatively effect the learning during training.

Mice will be taught the components of the task in a step-wise fashion of increasing complexity, culminating in the final operant task. Individual steps will aim to associate an action with an outcome.

The focus of this project will be on working towards a suitable criterion for each phase of training as well as identifying which will signal progression to the next phase of training. Our findings will inform underpinning guidance for the development of training protocols including refinements and aids to sample size determination specific to laboratory mice and as such has widespread potential to increase uptake of operant paradigms in rodent welfare research.

Pathing individual performance, welfare indicators and behavior to keel bone alterations in chickens

Kristina Mertens
University of Bonn, Germany
Supervisor(s): Dr Inga Tiemann

Keel bone fracture in laying hens is currently a very important issue in terms of animal health. Studies have shown that this problem is present in up to 80% of all laying hens in a flock. The bones of hens are very susceptible to fractures probably due to high calcium expenditure during egg laying and thus reduced calcium availability for bone development

It is thought that fractures can be caused by stress in the group, by collision with equipment or furniture in the hen house, eg when landing on a perch, or even pressure on the bones due to the weight of the eggs produced (especially in young and smaller hens).

Breastbone fractures are difficult to detect in hens whilst alive – as although in chronic pain, hens may still show no change in egg laying performance.

This study seeks to identify behavioural traits and other welfare indicators that may help to better identify keel bone fractures.

The behaviour of 10 laying hens from each of 8 different breeds of the domestic chicken and other welfare indicators will be recorded over their lifetime. Hens will be tested on their response to novel objects and reaction to an unfamiliar person; it is hypothesised that hens with fractures may show reduced mobility and reluctance to move. After slaughter (standard farming practice post lay) their carcasses will be examined for fractures and healed fractures and location of these recorded fracture. This information, along with the behavioural data, will then analyzed using GLM models to identify risk factors and correlated indicators for the whole life span of an individual.

Assessment of animal welfare knowledge, attitude and practices of animal keepers and wildlife veterinarians in captive animal facilities in Uganda

Robinah Sarah Nakabuye
Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor(s): Dr Celsus Sente

The aim of the study is to understand the existing gaps in wild animal welfare in Ugandan wildlife captive centres. This gap will be investigated in terms of knowledge, attitude, practices towards the zoo animals’ needs and identifying indicators of animal welfare.

The study will: (1) determine wild animal handlers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices around animal welfare, and (2) identify the areas of greatest need for captive animal facilities to institute good animal welfare practice through a survey of those working with wild animals in the main captive facilities in Uganda.

Data will be collected using a mix of both structured and unstructured questions using Kobo collect, a mobile data collection application. The questionnaire will be administered via face-to-face interviews. The survey will focus on knowledge of animal welfare humane and sustainable conservation, impact of COVID-19 on personnel performance and zoo animals’ welfare condition, gender and conservation, prioritising resources for critical contemporary issues, and areas of unmet needs for captive facilities. Descriptive statistics will be used to give a clear picture of main variables.

The project output will include:

A report on animal handlers’ knowledge, practices and attitudes around animal welfare and areas of unmet needs.
Providing information on Current status of animal welfare among professional animal handlers
Policy brief/recommendations on best animal welfare practices.

Does increased space and environmental complexity change the flight behaviour of zoo housed fruit bats?

Year: 2022

Minette Payne
University of Reading, UK

Supervisor(s): Dr Kate Johnson, University of Reading, UK and Eluned Price, Jersey Zoo, UK

It is important for captive animals to have an enclosure that replicates their natural environment so that they perform natural behaviours. For bats, flight is an important natural behaviour for fitness (as they are prone to obesity) and reproductive success. In the wild, fruit bats fly miles to get to their food source for which they normally have to avoid obstacles to get to but this is hard to replicate in a captive environment.

This study looks to build on a previous study by Minette Payne, undertaken as part of her final year BSc dissertation at Jersey Zoo, which showed that increasing space and environmental complexity increased flight complexity and flight frequency.

Using the ZIMS (Zoological Information Management Software) database, which holds records on more than 22,000 species and ten million individual captive wild animals, this study will extend this work through two extension activities:

International survey of fruit bat housing. All establishments that keep fruit bats will be identified and invited to participate in a short survey of bat housing. There has been no survey of bat housing in zoos and this is an under-researched area of zoo animal welfare. Using the information from the paired studies at Jersey zoo there is evidence that space, stocking density and environmental complexity influence flight behaviour.
UK national observational study of captive fruit bats. Ten UK establishments, in addition to Jersey Zoo, keep fruit bats. These will be visited and using he validated, published ethogram developed at Jersey zoo data will be collected on bat behaviour.

The behaviour of bats at each zoo will be compared against that from the previous study, along with relevant information on each enclosure to determine if these enclosures provide enough space and environmental complexity for flight and a high standard of welfare. It is hypothesised that this study will find that bats in smaller enclosures will fly less, with less complex flight patterns and potentially have more mid-air collisions depending on the population density.

Validity of activity meters for use as welfare assessment tool in horses

Valle Sanchez-Izquierdo Lozano
University of Edinburgh, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Tamsin Coombs

Typical management of domesticated equids results in limited turnout and exercise, social isolation and restricted forage which in turn can lead to significant physical and psychological welfare issues. It has been proposed that time budgets(with specific focus on time spent resting, foraging and moving) may be an indicator of welfare status.

GPS tracking systems, pedometers or accelerometers offer a means of collecting large amounts of data on physical activity, without the need to for continuous behavioural observation of the animal directly which is very time consuming. However these devices need to be validated to ensure the are measuring activity accurately.

The aim of this study is to validate tri-axial accelerometer based activity loggers as a tool to measure activity and movement in horses, and to identify the best location to attach the meters to ensure accuracy and horse comfort. If successfully validated, it is planned that the activity meters will then be used in two wider projects aimed at assessing housing systems that aim to increase movement and exploration in horses.

Ten horses will be fitted with 3 tri-axial accelerometer based activity loggers; to their head, to their foreleg and to their neck or body. Horses will be turned out into their normal social group and data collected for 24 hours. Data on number of bouts of activity, duration of bouts and total activity will be obtained. Alongside these data, behavioural observations of the horses will also be made. Each horse will be observed for 2 hours ( 4 x 30 minutes sampling) over the 24 hours. Time-stamps on the activity meter will be matched with the same time period during direct observation and used to validate the accuracy of the automated data collection. It is hoped that signatures with the activity meter will be identified that indicate particular behaviours allowing calculation of time budgets (eg proportion of time spent grazing, moving and resting) for hoses as well as total activity levels. Data collected from activity meters placed at different locations on individual hoses will also be compared in order to determine the best place to fix these in future studies.

Measuring Captive Otariid (Eared Seal) Welfare Through Judgment Bias Testing

Elizabeth Wilcox
University of Edinburgh, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Dixon

Through research in human psychology, it has been determined that emotional experiences influence how individuals perceive and process new information. An individual with a negatively-valanced ‘emotional’ or ‘affective’ state is likely to respond more negatively to ambiguous stimuli compared with an individual whose affective state is more positively-valanced. Cognitive Bias testing stems from this research and includes Judgment Bias testing (assessing responses to ambiguous stimuli), Attention Bias testing (assessing awareness toward negative stimuli), and Memory Bias testing (assessing ability to recall negative memories) (Clegg, 2018). Of these Cognitive Bias tests, the Judgment Bias paradigm has been applied most to animal welfare science and validated as a reliable indicator for the valence of an animal’s affective state (Mendl et al., 2010).

Otariids (Eared Seals) are popular in zoos due to their trainability, gregariousness, and ability to relate to humans (Schakner and Blumstein, 2021). For any captive animal, it is necessary that their welfare in captivity be thoroughly considered. The objective of this project was to develop and implement a Judgment Bias paradigm for captive Otariids that could be validated as a behavioural welfare assessment tool.

Animals underwent an initial training phase involving an auditory test in which the animal learned to approach a bucket upon hearing a tone. If the tone was the assigned ‘positive’ frequency, the animal found fish in the bucket. If the tone was the assigned ‘negative’ frequency, the animal found no fish in the bucket. The methodology was later changed so the animal approached a target (instead of a bucket) and touched it upon hearing a tone, then returned to the starting point for a positive or negative reward associated with that tone. In both auditory versions of the methodology, the objective was to reach a test phase where the animal’s latency to respond to intermediate tones would be measured, however criteria to reach the test phase was not met.

A visual Judgment Bias paradigm was later developed. The training phase was attempted, and a small sample size of Otariids from various zoos around Europe were tested after meeting test phase criteria. This Judgment Bias paradigm required an animal to approach a single target from a starting point, touch his/her nose to the target, and then return fully to the starting point. During a training phase, the animal learned that one size of target was always positive due to an associated fish reward, and another size was always negative due to no associated fish reward. During the test phase, three intermediate sizes of targets were presented three separate times and latency was measured to approach the intermediate targets. While some results were obtained, further refinement of the Judgment Bias model for use with captive Otariids is needed in future research.

References

Clegg, Isabella L K. “Cognitive Bias in Zoo Animals: An Optimistic Outlook for Welfare Assessment.” Animals (Basel) 8.7 (2018): 104–. Web.

Mendl, Michael et al. “Dogs Showing Separation-Related Behaviour Exhibit a ‘pessimistic’ Cognitive Bias.” Current biology 20.19 (2010): R839–R840. Web

Schakner, Zachary A, and Daniel T Blumstein. “The California Sea Lion: Thriving in a Human-Dominated World.” Ethology and Behavioral Ecology of Otariids and the Odobenid. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021. 347–365. Web.

What does boredom mean for farmed pigs? The effects of environment and personality on negative valence as a symptom of boredom-like states

Helen Zobrist
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
Supervisor(s): Dr Sara Hintze and Professor Christoph Winckler

In humans, the state of boredom is increasingly identified as being associated with psychological, social and physical health problems. Boredom is presumed to be caused by both a boredom-eliciting situation, characterised by barrenness and monotony, and each individuals’ vulnerability to feel bored. But what about non-human animals, eg farmed animals that are often housed under barren and monotonous conditions? Do such housing conditions also cause boredom-like states in non-human animals and, if so, does personality play a role in the development of boredom-like states? The simple answer is: We do not (yet) know. Even though boredom is a highly aversive experience (at least in humans) and barren as well as monotonous housing conditions are highly prevalent in farmed animals, boredom-like states and their possible consequences on animal welfare have hardly been studied.

My MSc project forms part of a bigger project in which symptoms and welfare consequences of pig boredom are studied. The project will look into the effect of both housing conditions and pig personality on boredom-like states in pigs. We will focus on investigating potential symptoms and welfare consequences of animal. We aim to distinguish boredom from other negative psychological states such as depression and apathy by investigating pigs’ reactions to stimuli of different valence as done in studies on mink. Moreover, we will investigate the effect of boredom on affective valence (i.e. mood), hypothesising that bored pigs are more pessimistic (as assessed in a Judgement Bias Task) as well as on time perception, hypothesising that time drags when pigs are bored (as assessed in a Time Perception Task).

In my project, I will focus on the effect of housing conditions (and a switch of housing conditions, see below) as well as pig personality (and their interaction) on affective valence. The overall output of my project is to get a deeper understanding of the effects of housing conditions and personality on boredom-like states in pigs.

2021

More than just a ‘Hayday’

Alice Armstrong
University of Leeds, UK
Supervisor(s): Professor Lisa Collins

Supplementary environmental enrichment (EE) has been linked to limiting aggression and depressive sow behaviors. This four-week study explored changing behaviors and lesion scores in two separated groups of sows at the University of Leeds National Pig Centre. The control was provided with standard enrichment. The treatment was exposed to straw and the additional EE ‘EasyFixAstro 200’ toys. Ethograms were used when recording behavioral data sourced from video recordings. Lesion scores were collected for pigs from each section. Firstly, a Poisson regression analysis was conducted within SPSS. Response variables were the ethogram behavioral markers, the predictors were sow group, and day. Motion and environmental nosing were both significantly lower in the control group (p=0.00, p<0.01). Lying was significantly higher in the control group (p=0.00, p<0.01). Hence, sows exposed to additional enrichment were more active than the sows exposed to the standard enrichment. An ordinal probit generalized linear model was applied in SPSS for the lesion score data. The response variable was lesion score, and the predictors were the day, sow ID and sow group. The lesion scores were significantly higher in the control group (p=0.02, p<0.05). Therefore, sows exposed to the additional enrichment had significantly lower physical markers of aggression. Thus, additional enrichment is an invaluable instrument in lessening negative byproducts of housing sows.

Do sheep tail docking decrease myiasis occurrence on sheep? A retrospective study

Giuliano de Barros
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil
Supervisor(s): Dr Patrizia Ana Bricarello

Tail docking is a husbandry practice widely incorporated in sheep farms around the world. It is an irreversible mutilation that causes severe damage to animal welfare, both immediately and subsequently. Tail docking supposedly contributes to the promotion of local hygiene, which would allow the use of the wool, facilitate reproductive management and reduce the chances of myiasis. However, current understanding of farm animal welfare questions the need to maintain practices such as tail docking. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the incidence of myiasis in sheep from an experimental herd in Brazil in a six-year retrospective cohort. Relative risk, odds ratio and incidence ratio were the association measures adopted. A total of 4,318 occurrences supplied the analytical model. Tail docking did not decrease the risk and, on the contrary, increased the chances of sheep being affected by myiasis. The results show that the argument that justifies the maintenance of tail docking based on supposed health benefits against myiasis is mistaken.

Characterising the acquisition of designer crossbreed puppies in the UK

Erin Burnett
Nottingham University, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Rowena Packer, Royal Veterinary College, UK

Demand for intentional crosses of purebred dog breeds (eg Labrador Retriever X Poodle, the ‘Labradoodle’) have recently increased in the UK, often labelled ‘designer crossbreeds’. This study aimed to explore this phenomenon by comparing pre-purchase motivations, pre-purchase and purchase behaviours of UK owners of designer crossbred puppies purchased during 2019-2020 with owners of purebred puppies purchased during the same period. Data from UK-based respondents were collected in an online cross-sectional survey between November-December 2020. Responses from n=6293 puppies (designer crossbred puppies: n=1575; purebred puppies: n=4718) were analysed. Perceived hypoallergenicity was cited as a motivator for breed/crossbreed choice by almost half of designer crossbreed owners (47.1%), almost six times more than purebred dog owners (7.86%) Designer crossbred puppies were more likely to have been acquired via a general selling website (e.g., Gumtree; 13.8%) compared to purebred puppies (7.67%), or an animal-specific selling websites (eg Pets4Homes; 55.7%) compared to purebred puppies (37.4%). Designer crossbreed owners were less likely to see their puppy in person prior to purchase than purebred owners (60.4% vs 67.0%, respectively), and at purchase, designer crossbred puppies were less likely to be seen with their mother (dam 73.1% vs 79.8%, respectively), littermates (67.7% vs 78.1%, respectively). Designer crossbreeds were significantly more expensive, with over a quarter (25.7%) of designer crossbred puppies costing between £2,000-£2,999 compared to 15.1% of purebred puppies. Differences in puppy purchasing have the potential for both immediate and long-term welfare issues in the designer crossbreed population.

Does plastic entanglement pose a welfare risk to UK terrestrial mammals?

Emily Dempster
University of Sussex, UK
Supervisor(s): Professor Fiona Matthews

The hazards posed to terrestrial wild mammals by plastics are poorly documented. A questionnaire designed to gather evidence on entanglement was therefore sent to wildlife rehabilitation centres identified from an internet search. It was also publicised on social media. Responses were received from 44 organisations, and related to 156 individual admissions owing to plastic entanglement. Most of these cases were the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) 89% (n = 139 (95% CI, 83%, 93%), with a smaller proportion involving red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) 5% (n = 8 (95% CI, 2%,9%); badgers (Meles meles) 2% (n = 3 (95% CI, 0.3%, 4%); and deer (unknown species) 4% (n = 6 (95% CI 1.7%, 8%). Death, or euthanasia because of the severity of the injuries, was the outcome for 41% (n = 68 (95% CI 36%, 51%) of the reported cases. Although some reporting bias is possible, with centres with positive cases being more likely to respond, the results indicate that substantial numbers of wild terrestrial mammals in Britain are affected by plastic entanglement, with fatal outcomes for many.

Welfare implications and preference of manipulable environmental enrichments provided to farmed American mink (Neovison vison) kits

Meridyth Hardy
Dalhousie University, Canada
Supervisor(s): Dr Rebecca Meagher

The aim of this study was to determine whether providing environmental enrichments to American Mink kits (Neovison vison) can improve welfare on fur farms. The study also aimed to identify which enrichments are most desirable to mink kits. This on-farm study involved an initial total of 222 adult mink females from three major colour types: demi, mahogany and dark. A total of 505 mink kits from 104 different litters were then followed from the age of 0-15 weeks. The study had two different treatments in the addition to the control. The first treatment was enriched during whelping (EW) and was provided three different nesting material enrichments: aspen shavings, paper pet bedding and a hanging sisal rope. The second treatment was enriched as kits (EK) and was provided a mix of two different hanging objects (sisal rope or a plastic chain), in addition to four different manipulable enrichments (a pig’s ear, field hockey ball, whiffle ball or golf ball). The provided environmental enrichments were not found to improve kit welfare when housed in groups. However, temperament test results indicate that kit welfare decreased when placed in single housing. Both the EK and EW treatments were shown to improve the welfare of single housed mink as fearful temperaments decreased while curious temperaments increased compared to the control. Enrichments which were more readily manipulable by the kits were shown to be highly desirable. The most desirable provided enrichments were the sisal rope and pig’s ear.

The status of animal welfare practice among poultry farmers in Uganda

Lutebemberwa Isa
Makerere University, Uganda
Supervisor(s): Dr Tayebwa Dickson and Dr Sylvia Nalubwama

Uganda’s population has increased drastically over the last 10 years, from 17.9 to 41.6 million people increasing the demand for animal products. Consequently, farmers intensified production changing from free range, to cages and deep litter management systems which is likely to compromise the welfare of poultry. This study aimed to assesses the status of animal welfare among layer poultry farms in Kampala and Wakiso districts. Data from 32 deep litter poultry farms, with birds above 3 months of age was collected using a questionnaire to assess farmers attitudes and practices, and a checklist to score the infrastructure and behavior of the flocks in reference to the five freedoms of animal welfare. Preliminary results indicated that 65.4% of farmers provide perches, designed from locally available material whereas 31.2% of the farms reported vices such as cannibalism, vent pecking and egg eating. Assessment of the litter quality showed that 46.9% of the farms had solid and caked litter. Biosecurity was a major concern because 46.9% had no functional house unit footbaths while 78.1% prepared no protective attire including overall and gumboots for farm workers. For disease control, only 6.3% had a veterinarian at the farm while the rest of the farmers preferred to just call when there was need or after treatment failure. Remarkably, all farms had flocks which were vaccinated. Water and feed were provided although the source of the feeds and water was variable according to the farms. 62.5% of the farms had no feed formula and those that had, relied on the expertise of the managers (50%), veterinarians (28.1) and feed ingredient suppliers (15.6%) to formulate. In 75% of the farms, nest boxes were provided although no provision was made to block direct light from the environment. Practices such as debeaking were performed by a veterinarian on 66.7% of the farms while the rest of the farms had their own staff to do it. In summary, the farms visited so far attempted to provide feed, care, disease control and access of poultry to exercise which are good indicators of proper animal welfare. Nevertheless, glaring loop holes were identified in biosecurity underscoring the need for sensitization training on the importance of animal welfare in optimizing production.

Development of mare-foal attachment index and its predictive value for subsequent mare response to artificial weaning

Ambre Jacquart
Royal Veterinary College, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Maria Diez-León

Development of a mare-foal attachment index and its predictive value for subsequent mare response to artificial weaning Abstract Artificial weaning – before and more abruptly than under natural conditions – is common in the equine industry yet research on factors influencing mare welfare at weaning is limited. Mare-foal attachment is key for foal development, but its importance for mare welfare has been overlooked. Therefore, we investigated whether post-natal and pre-weaning mare-foal attachment influenced mares’ welfare at weaning. We recorded foal-directed behaviours (e.g. licking, sniffing, distance to foal) of 11 mares post-partum (video) and pre-weaning (live); then mare behavioural responses (eg locomotion) at weaning (live). We also recorded mare age and foal sex to assess their impact on mare behaviour. Principal Component (PC) Analysis of post-foaling and pre-weaning observations identified three attachment indices explaining 73% of the variation: mare-foal proximity/protection (PC1), post-foaling nursing/olfacto-tactile behaviour (PC2), and pre-weaning nursing/agonistic interactions (PC3). None were influenced by mare age or foal sex, and only PC3 was negatively correlated with mare locomotion at weaning. Our preliminary study shows mare-foal attachment affects mare responses at weaning, however further investigation with a greater study population is needed to replicate these results, which may allow to develop weaning methods mitigating the welfare impact of abrupt and early separation of foals on their mares.

Could training affect testing? Investigating the impact of training for the judgment bias test on chicken welfare

Johanna Neuhauser
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
Supervisor(s): Dr Sara Hintze, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna and Dr Jean-Loup Rault, and Janja Sirovnik University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria

Assessment of animals’ emotional states is commonly done using tests which involve extensive training (e.g., cognitive judgement bias tests; JBT). This training, however, may itself affect the animal’s welfare. For example, potentially rewarding training elements (e.g., food rewards) may improve welfare, and conversely, potentially challenging, or stressful elements (e.g., social isolation) may reduce welfare. Furthermore, an effect on welfare could in turn interact with the effect of a studied treatment, influencing the study’s outcome. The aim of the study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of training for a JBT on chicken welfare. Two groups of laying hens were used across two batches: 1) treatment (JBT training and testing; n=16), and 2) control (n=16), with both groups housed together under identical conditions. Treatment hens were trained and tested in a spatial Go/No-go JBT using a four-stage training protocol. Before training began, welfare was assessed for all hens across three behavioural tests: open field, human approach, and tonic immobility tests. After each treatment hen finished JBT testing, welfare of that hen as well as one control hen was assessed again using the same behavioural tests. The study is currently ongoing, with results pending batch-two hens’ completion of the JBT protocol.

Download Training for a cognitive judgement bias task does not affect fear or telomere shortening in laying hens

Identification of potential welfare indicators for commercially farmed King salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawyscha) in New Zealand: A scoping review to inform the development of a National Code of Welfare

Izabella Norris
Massey University, New Zealand
Supervisor(s): Dr Nikki Kells

The production of King salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) is a major contributor to New Zealand’s primary industry and has the potential to impact the welfare of a large number of individual fish. To understand the impacts of farming practices on the welfare of farmed salmon there is a need to understand how to assess their welfare. The objective of this study was to identify measurements and observations that could be used as potential welfare indicators to evaluate the welfare of farmed King salmon in New Zealand. A scoping review was conducted to examine the current body of scientific literature related to the welfare of farmed salmon. An initial database search returned 5944 potentially relevant articles. Using specific inclusion criteria, returned articles were screened twice for relevance to the review’s objective. Welfare indicators were extracted from 60 relevant articles and categorised according to the Five Domains Model as well as their temporal character. The identified welfare indicators provide the tools required for the assessment of King salmon welfare. This work also provides the foundation for the development of a Code of Welfare for farmed fish in New Zealand. Future work needs to be done to determine indicator validity and on-farm feasibility.

Maternal behavior of Yoruba ecotype Nigeria indigenous chickens

Victor Oyeniran
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Supervisor(s): Dr Iyasere Oluwaseun, Dr Samuel O Durosaro and Dr JO Daramola

In domestic chickens, the provision of maternal care strongly influences the behavioural development of chicks. The function of maternal care is to promote improved survival, thermoregulation, protection and comfort to the chicks. In this study, we reported baseline information on the maternal behaviour of the Yoruba ecotype chickens. Broody hens were separated to a brooding pen and provided with eggs. The behaviour of the brooding hens (frequency of sitting on egg, turning of eggs, feeding, drinking) were recorded three times/week for the first two weeks of brooding and then daily at the 3rd week of brooding for a total of 6 h/day (07:00-09:00h, 11:00-13:00h and 15:00-17:00h). The surface body temperatures, of the eye, wing and brood patch were measured with the use of infra red thermometer during the three weeks of brooding (3 times/week). Behaviour of the chicks and hens were studied four weeks post hatch. Hen warming of chicks (providing warmth to chicks underneath her feathers, the number of chicks warmed under the mother), hen warming posture (total, partial or not covering the chicks), play behaviour (mother-chick, chick-chick interaction) and aggressive behaviour (mother pecking and trampling on chicks) were recorded. Five chicks from each mother were subjected to tonic immobility (TI) on the 7th, 14th and 21st day post hatch and the number of attempts to induce TI and duration of TI were recorded. Data were analysed using One way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test. There was no significant effect of time of day (p>0.05) on frequency of egg turning and sitting on eggs, however the Yoruba ecotype hens showed higher frequency of feeding (F2,17= 4.869, p=0.023) and drinking (F2,17= 4.891, p=0.023) in the morning and afternoon than in the evening. There were no significant effects (p>0.05) of week of brooding and time of day on eye, wing and brood patch temperatures. Week of post hatch had a significant effect on the chicks warmed by the mother hens (χ2=11.553, df =3, p=0.009) which was greater at the 1st, intermediate at the 2nd and 3rd and least at 4th week post hatch. Also, week of post hatch influenced total covering of chicks by hens (χ2=10.023, df =3, p=0.018), which was greater at the 1st, intermediate at 2nd and least at the 3rd and 4th week post hatch. Other behaviours were not influenced (p>0.05) by week of post hatch. Time of day influenced chick warming by mother hens (χ2=12.743, df =2, p=0.002), total covering of chicks by hens (χ2=10.803, df =2, p=0.005) and frequency of chick-chick play (χ2=13.194, df=2, p=0.001) such that the percentage of chicks warmed, frequency of total covering during warming and frequency of chick-chick play were greater in the morning than afternoon and evening. Feeding behaviour was greater in the morning, intermediate in the afternoon and least in the evening (χ2= 7.868, df=2, p=0.020). Drinking behaviour was greater in the afternoon than morning and evening (χ2=6.610, df=2, p=0.037). Other behaviours were not influenced by time of day (P>0.05). There was no significant effect of age of chicks on number of attempts to induce tonic immobility (χ2 = 4.604, df=2, p=0.100) and duration of tonic immobility (χ2 = 1.352, df=2, p=0.509). In conclusion, feeding and drinking behaviour of broody hens were greater in the morning and afternoon than evening. Surface body temperature of the broody hens were consistent over the different periods of the day and weeks of brooding. Warming of the chicks by the mother hens decreases as the chicks increase in age. Warming of chicks, chick-chick play was dependent on time of the day. The level of fear in the chicks were not influenced by their age posthatch.

Characterizing individual cows’ dominance based on competition for water

Bianca Vandresen
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil
Supervisor(s): Professor Maria José Hötzel, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil and Profesor Marina von Keyserlingk and Borbala Foris, University of British Columbia, Canada

Feed bunk replacements scored using electronic data captured from feed bins have been successfully used to assign dominance scores of all individuals in a group of dairy cows. This has paved the way for integrating dominance scores into management decisions that allow one measure of the social life of the individual to be considered when managing indoor housed dairy cattle. Electronic monitoring of water bin replacements would be more practical as fewer bins require monitoring. Our aim was to identify the duration, ambient temperature, and number of replacements needed that would provide a reasonable estimate of dominance using water bin data compared to the current gold standard of feed bin replacements data. Feed and water bin dominance scores for a dynamic group of 48 cows were assessed for 4-wks during the summer and the winter. Replacements at the water bins were more frequent during the summer compared to winter. Regardless of season, the correlation between feed and water bin dominance scores began to plateau after 7 days and peaked after 14 days (r approx/equal to 0.7). Our results indicate that electronic monitoring of water bin replacements over at least two weeks provide reliable assessment of dairy cows’ dominance in indoor housed systems.

2020

Impact of environmental complexity and stocking density on affective state of trout

Gracie Anderson
Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation, USA
Supervisor(s): Dr Leonie Jacobs

Animals’ affective states can be assessed through judgement bias tests, evaluating responses to ambiguous situations. In this study, Rainbow trout (n=108) were housed in commercial conditions while trained at tank-level to discriminate between a positively reinforced chamber (feed) in one location and a negatively reinforced chamber (chase by net) in the opposing location. Fish from successful tanks (2/5) were then housed in treatment tanks of either high or low environmental complexity at either high (192 fish/m3) or low (80 fish/m3) stocking density. Trained fish were tested for latencies to approach three intermediate, ambiguous chambers. Fish housed in high-density tanks were faster to enter all chambers than those housed in low-density tanks (8.5s vs. 15.2s; p=0.001), with faster entries into the positive (7.4s vs. 15.2s; p=0.02) and near-negative chambers (10.2s vs. 17.4s; p=0.006), suggesting that these fish were more optimistic to receive a feed reward. Tank complexity did not affect test outcomes. Body weight, length, and plasma cortisol did not differ between treatments. Overall, Rainbow trout are capable of discriminating between cues during a judgement bias test and fish housed in high-density environments respond more optimistically in ambiguous situations compared to fish in low-density environments.

Can we use infrared thermography for assessing emotional states in mice? – A comparison between stress-induced handling by different technique

Urša Blenkuš
Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
Supervisor(s): Dr Nuno Henrique Franco

Stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) is a physiological response, caused by activation of the HPA axis and changes in cardiovascular activity during stress exposure, causing a rise in body temperature as a consequence of a fight-or-flight response to acute stressors. This change in body temperature can thus be used in laboratory rodents as an indicator of acute stress, or a response from heightened anxiety in anticipation of a stressor. Traditional methods used to measure temperature, such as thermometers and telemetry devices, can be invasive and stressful in themselves, thus having an impact on the research results, while additionally raising welfare concerns. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a promising non-invasive approach for monitoring temperature changes, that has already been used in laboratory science. However, a better understanding of its ability to assess SIH is needed. In this study we compared subcutaneous temperature measured by a small radiotelemetry device and body surface temperature measured with IRT during exposure to handling stress. From our results we confirm previous reports that IRT can be used as a stand-alone method to accurately detect stress exposure in laboratory rodents. Furthermore, our specific approach measuring segmenting tail temperature and rest of the body allows a better understanding of physiological processes during a stress response, as temperature changes in these two different parts of the body can be observed. We were not able to observe different levels of stress caused by different handling techniques, which may result from their effect being diluted in the context of an already stressful environment. This did however raise additional questions about the stressful nature of day-to-day husbandry procedures, such as removing nesting material, anticipation of procedures and short-term social isolation.

We conclude that IRT offers a refined approach to follow temperature variations in laboratory mice as a result of acute stressors either be used as stand-alone methods or provide additional information to current anxiety tests, having the potential to reduce experimental noise caused by more invasive methods of temperature assessment and allow obtaining more data without further disturbance of the animals. We further suggest IRT should be used as a measurement of SIH during common laboratory procedures that laboratory rodents are exposed to, presenting us with a better understanding of the stress and physiological impact these procedures have on the animals.

Effect of environmental enrichment on sleeping behavior of Nigerian indigenous chickens

Ayaji Oreoluwa Doyinsola
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
Supervisor(s): Dr Oluwaseun Serah Iyasere

Fifty-six mature Nigerian indigenous chickens (8 cocks and 48 hens) were used for this study At the first 4 weeks birds in pens 2, 4, 6, 8 (enriched group, EN) were provided with enrichment materials (three-tiered perch and a sandbath) in addition to a nest box, feeder and drinkers which were also present in pens 1, 3, 5, 7 (unenriched group, UN). From week 5-8, the enrichment materials provided to birds in pen 2 and 4 were removed but retained in pens 6 and 8. Also, birds housed in pens 1 and 3 were provided with enrichment materials (as above) but not to birds in pens 5 and 7. The behaviour of the birds were recorded three consecutive days in each week at dusk (18:00- 19:00h), early night (ENight: 19:00 -21:00h) and early morning (EMorn: 04:30-05:30h). Blood was sampled fortnightly from the birds to measure their level of stress (blood glucose and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio). At dusk, EN birds roosted on the perch earlier in readiness for sleep. During ENight, enrichment had effect on sleeping position with EN birds sleeping on the perch and UN birds sleeping on the nest box or on the floor. However, at the EMorn, enrichment had effect on sleeping position (same as ENight), neck position (increased neck stretching) and sleep direction (increase in face backward). Transition from one environmental condition to the other was associated with only behavioural changes but not on the level of stress experienced by the birds.

A novel approach for non-invasive monitoring and signalling of humane endpoints using infrared thermography, tested in a murine of sepsis

Catarina da Silva Miranda
Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Portugal
Supervisor(s): Dr Nuno Franco

Body temperature is an important tool for assessing animal health and welfare. However, there is still limited information on temperature variation in animal models of human pathologies. This study aims to assess whether infrared thermography can be used to follow body temperature variations in a mouse model of sepsis-induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and compare it with the readout from passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. We report data retrieved from 27 C57BL/6 wildtype (WT) that underwent severe cecal ligation and puncture or sham surgery, as well as 8 mice subjected to a less severe form of the intervention: 12 Knockout mice on a C57BL/6 background and 12 WT mice. All mice were monitored 4 times per day in the severe model and 3 times per day in the midgrade CLP by PIT tag and infrared thermography for 10 days post-surgery, or until reaching a humane endpoint. Mean body surface temperature (MBST) assessed by infrared thermography and subcutaneous temperature (SCT) were correlated, albeit not strongly. MBST does not appear to be a reliable predictor of non-recovery stages. SCT and percentage of weight loss show some promise to reliably predict non-recovery stages in a severe model of CLP induced sepsis.

The effect of maternal investment on milk yield in dairy cattle

Eva Katile Mutua
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), UK
Supervisor(s): Professor Marie Haskell

The conventional dairy production system in the United Kingdom involves separation of the cow and calf at 24 hours of birth. Due to public concerns regarding this early separation, farmers are taking up the cow with calf system. However, some farmers have cited a great variation in milk yield delivered to the parlour between the cows. This study employed behavioural observations conducted on 47-spring calving cows to investigate behavioural maternal investment and the use of 28-day milk yield records of 110 autumn calving and spring calving cows to investigate the effect of nutritional maternal investment. Cows with only male calves from all pregnancies recorded a higher rate of licking behaviour (P=0.048). Cows that had currently mothered female calves had a higher milk yield average (P=0.003). From the results of this study it can be concluded that the sex of the calf and the percentage of female offspring significantly affect maternal behaviour.

Acute effects of water control on Rhesus macaques behaviour

Alexandra Paraskevopoulou
Newcastle University, UK
Supervisor(s): Dr Colline Poirer and Janire Castellano Bueno

Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are a valuable animal model in neurophysiological experiments due to their advanced cognitive abilities. Due to the complexity of the tasks, NHPs participating in such experiments undergo potentially stressful experimental procedures such as fluid control protocols. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of fluid control on the welfare of 21 Rhesus macaques using behavioural observations of the subjects in their home cages via video recordings. Overall, our data showed no difference in displacement behaviours, pacing and ‘inactive not alert’ behaviour when subjects were under the two conditions, suggesting that fluid control protocols had no effect on the welfare of the subjects.

Early-life interventions to improve laying hens welfare: impact of light during incubation and genetic background on stress responsivity of laying hens

Rosa Schimmel
Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Supervisor(s): Professor Bas Rodenburg

Feather pecking in laying hens has repeatedly been reported as a welfare issue and since beak trimming has recently been banned in the Netherlands, other solutions must be found. The objective of this research was to study the effect of a green light-dark (12:12) cycle during incubation and the administration of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae in a food puzzle as enrichment on gentle and severe feather pecking (GFP, SFP) and the reaction in a novel object test (NOT) and a human approach test (HAT) in conditions comparable to organic farming. Administration of BSF larvae significantly diminished GFP given and a significantly shorter latency to approach a novel object (NO) was found in the BSF treatment group. At 5 days old, chicks incubated under a light-dark cycle were significantly later in approaching the NO than dark incubated chicks. In the HAT, significantly more “fleeing” was done in the group that received light during incubation, but no BSF larvae in comparison to the group that did receive both light during incubation and BSF larvae. In conclusion, BSF larvae enrichment and light during incubation may have welfare benefits in diminishing stress reactions and possibly feather pecking, but an extra round of research is needed for more and more significant results.

The plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetics of two novel methods of meloxicam delivery for sustained and practical pain mitigation in dairy calves

Chloe Wilson
University of Sydney, Australia
Supervisor(s): Dr Sabrina Lomax and Dr Dominique Van der Saag

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam is commonly administered to livestock to alleviate the pain associated with surgical husbandry procedures. Pain inflicted by these procedures often persists beyond the duration of action offered by commercial NSAIDS, and therefore novel forms of administration to extend duration of action are required. This study aimed to investigate two novel forms of meloxicam delivery, a sustained release meloxicam formulation (SR-M) and a meloxicam medicated pellet (MMP), in order to achieve sustained action, aligning with the long-term pain of operative procedures. In the first experiment, three Holstein Friesian calves (avg 171.1kg ± 14.7 SD in Phase 1, 194.7kg ± 17 SD in Phase 2) were administered a SR-M formulation at 1.0mg/kg subcutaneously. Blood samples were collected at 0h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 10h, 12h, 24h and days 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, relative to administration. In experiment two, twelve Holstein Friesian calves (avg 85 kg ± 18.7 kg SD) were offered a MMP feed, dosed with meloxicam at 1mg/kg of bodyweight. Blood samples were collected at 0h and daily for 9 days. Plasma meloxicam concentrations was determined by HPLC analysis with UV detection. Within Phase 1 and Phase 2, respectively, the SR-M formulation displayed an average t1/2 of 25.43 hrs (±5.00 h) and 55.54 h (±3.15 h) and a mean Cmax of 0.61 ug/mL (±0.21 ug/mL) and 0.76 ug/mL (±0.12 ug/mL), occurring at an average Tmax of 3.33 h (±1.15 h) and 10.67 h (±2.31 h). The MMP feed exhibited maximum plasma levels of 3.81ug/mL (± 1.05 ug/mL), on Day 1, which increased daily until highest concentrations on Day 6 at 6.95 ug/mL (± 2.17 ug/mL).The MMP formulation displayed an elimination t1/2 of 15.97 h (±6.09 h) and elimination rate (kel) 0.04 h-1 (±0.01 h-1). Although both forms of meloxicam delivery demonstrated variable findings, these novel mitigation options indicate the potential to extend duration of action of meloxicam, however additional research is required to determine clinical efficacy.

Survey of veterinarian’s opinions on snake venipuncture

Sean Sugasawa Yamada
Western University of Health Sciences, USA
Supervisor(s): Dr Curtis Eng

Access to blood vessels in snakes can be difficult, being highly dependent on the species, size, and experience of handlers. Literature identifies four snake venipuncture sites: the coccygeal vein, the heart, the sphenopalatine vein, and the jugular vein. Conflicting literature on venipuncture site recommendations suggest the need for further investigation. The objective of this study is to determine the views of the herptile veterinary community on the methods of venipuncture and pain perception in snakes. It is expected that veterinarians would consider the coccygeal vein in place of the heart as the primary site for humane reasons. It is also expected that if veterinarians believe snakes feel pain, then they would be less inclined to use cardiocentesis on an awake patient. Veterinarians were more likely to utilize the coccygeal vein compared to the heart. Veterinarians believed snakes feel pain similarly to mammals (84%), and that they feel pain in a graded scale (98%). This study also suggests that younger veterinarians are more likely to use the coccygeal vein as opposed to cardiocentesis. This study provides veterinarians the information needed to make a community-conscious decision in their clinical application of snake venipuncture, hence improving the welfare of snakes.

2019

Isabel Izquierdo-Hall “Do laying hens exhibit greater comfort behaviour in cage-free barns compared to colony cages?” under the supervision of Christine Nicol, Royal Veterinary College, UK

Veronique de Caestecker “Pre-purchase motivations of dog owners and those who have had to relinquish their dog” under the supervision of Kate Johnson, University of Reading, UK

Sarah McMahon “Validating heart rate variability and behavioural changes as an indicator of affective state using the judgement bias test in dairy cattle” under the supervision of Laura Webb, Wageningen University, The Netherlands

Pia Niewind “To range or not to range – Exploratory Behaviour in chickens” under the supervision of Inga Tiemann, University of Bonn, Germany

Erika Feilberg “To determine current implementation of stress reducing practices during the consulting experience for UK canine and feline veterinary outpatients” under the supervision of Louise Buckley, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Benjamin Cargill “The impact of husbandry and housing on pet snake welfare using survey-based assessment” under the supervision of Nicola Rooney, University of Bristol, UK

Jillian Gordon “The relationship between grimace expressions of diary cattle and post-mortem dental health, and its implications for welfare and production” under the supervision of Gura Bergkvist, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Tasha Cadman “Social Bonds in Pigs and Their Effect on Health and Welfare” under the supervision of Irene Camerlink, University of Veterinary Medicine, Austria

Valerie Monckton “The perceived value of soiled litter compared to alternatives in poultry” under the supervision of Alexandra Harlander, University of Gueph, Canada

Johanna Piibor “Comparing health and welfare of pigs farmed in conventional systems and in organic systems with no access to outdoors” under the supervision of David Arney, Estonia University of Life Sciences, Estonia

Ria Mehul Popat “Laboratory mouse shelters: Is a tunnel enough?” under the supervision of Charlotte Burn, Royal Veterinary College, UK

2018

Natalie Maxwell “Assessing chronic stress in dogs (Canis familiaris) in south Korea under differing husbandry conditions” under the supervision of Neil Evans, University of Guelph, Canada

Aileen MacLellan “Are “depression-like” responses in mice really depression?” under the supervision of Georgia Mason, University of Guelph, Canada

Uri Baqueiro Espinosa “Developing protocols for assessing the behavioural and welfare impacts of commercial dog breeding” under the supervision of Gareth Arnott, Queens University of Belfast, UK

Theresia Bischof “Warm versus cold-how to increase the piglets’ use of the creep area?” under the supervision of Sara Hintze, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Freija Maulbetsch “Chilled or bored? Inactivity in fattening cattle” under the supervision of Sara Hintze, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Adele Aynsley “Cognitive testing as a means to investigate depression in horses” under the supervision of Sebastian McBride, Aberystwyth University, UK

Hannah Hussain “Health and Welfare of Ageing Tigers in Zoological Collections” under the supervision of David Williams, University of Cambridge, UK

Christina Long “Scared, depressed or just content?: a pilot study on the welfare of captive Pallas’s cats” under the supervision of Maria Diez Leon, Royal Veterinary College, UK

Nicola Regan “Exploring the relationship between anti-epileptic drug use, food-motivation and obesity in dogs with epilepsy” under the supervision of Rowena Packer, University of Liverpool, UK

Emily Hendry “Footpad dermatitis in broilers: insights from infrared thermography ?” under the supervision of Dorothy McKeegan, University of Glasgow, UK

2017

Eva Read “How feed restricted are dry sows?” under the supervision of Rick D’Eath, University of Plymouth, UK

Katie Lihou “Using natural brooding patterns to develop intermittent lighting schedules for commercial chicks” under the supervision of Jo Edgar, University of Bristol, UK

Alexander Davies “Measuring chronic stress in canine epilepsy” Rowena Packer, Royal Veterinary College, UK

Iona Charlton “Compare Colombian cattle welfare in an silvopastoral system with a pasture-only based system” under the supervision of David Williams, University of Cambridge, UK

Helen Inzani “Behavioural evaluation of the welfare in wild birds caught for ringing” under the supervision of David Williams, University of Cambridge, UK

Gabrielle Lindley “Identifying Risk Factors for Obesity in Companion Animals using SAVSNET in order to improve their health and welfare” under the supervision of Alan Radford, University of Liverpool, UK

Reanne McDonald “Testing effects of static of varying enrichment on dairy calves” under the supervision of Rebecca Meagher, University of Reading, UK

Janica Niva “What is most enriching about learning for captive primates: Novelty and challenge or achievement and control?” under the supervision of Christine Caldwell, University of Stirling, UK

Martha Sahota “Behavioural Responses of Primiparous and Multiparous Dairy Cows at Calf Separation” under the supervision of Rosie Godfrey, Oxford Brooke University/Solihull College & University Centre, UK

Mary Swift “The effect of enrichment on time spent displaying sterotypic behaviours in captive chimpanzees in a zoo Kumas, Ghana” under the supervision of Magdalena Svensson, Oxford Brookes University, UK

Petra Briene “Clarifying the links between skin lesions, aggression and lameness in breeding sows” Frank Tuyttens, Royal Veterinary College, UK

Eric de Andrade Culhari “Impact of photovoltaic canopy shade on animal welfare and energy efficiency in a tropical environmente” under the supervision of Alex Sandro Campos Maia, Sao Paulo State University, Brazil

Lydia Inglis “The effectiveness of Meloxicam in mitigating pain in response to mulesing” under the supervision of Andrew Thompson, Murdoch University, Australia

Cäcilia Wimmler “Intensively kept but still high welfare state ? – Evaluation of a new Austrian pig welfare initiative” under the supervision of Christine Leeb, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

Chelsie Bailey “Lameness in sheep – the hidden welfare issue” under the supervision of Steve Wootton, University of Bristol, UK

2016

Chelsie Bailey ‘Development of an imprinted maternal stimulus to improve welfare in domestic chicks’, under the supervision of Dr Jo Edgar, University of Bristol, UK

Caroline Krall ‘A novel technique to assess post-operative pain in laboratory New Zealand white rabbits using infra-red thermal imaging following orchidectomy (castration)’, under the supervision of Dr Chistoph Blau, Newcastle University, UK

Kirsty-Marie Moran ‘Validating behavioural measures of anxiety: an investigation into the relationship between scratching and other displacement behaviours’, under the supervision of Dr Eoin O’Sullivan, University of Stirling, UK

Martin Pearson ’Impact of visitors on Morelet’s Tree Frog in a public aquarium’, under the supervision of Dr Tessa Smith, University of Chester, UK Lisa Waddell ‘Emotional contagion in laboratory rats’, under the supervision of Dr Gillian Brown, University of St Andrews, UK

Francisca Pilar Barlupo Henriquez ‘Influence of environmental enrichment on the use of outdoor range area and reduction of mortality and feather pecking in free range laying hens in Chile’, under the supervision of Dr Beatriz Zapata, Universidad Major, Chile.

2015

Harry Appelby (Writtle College) ‘Evaluation of oestrone sulphate as a pre-hatch indicator of sex in ISA Warren poultry’ under the supervision of Dr Angela Murphy-Thomas, Writtle College

Holly Asquith-Barnes (The Royal Veterinary College) ‘Assessing the effectiveness of thermal imaging in the identification of arthritic conditions in non-human primates – A tool for improving welfare’, under the supervision of Dr Troy Gibson, The Royal Veterinary College, UK

Alice Barrett (The Royal Veterinary College) ‘Effect of visitor number and noise level on the behaviour of zoo-housed Sulawesi crested macaques(Macaca nigra)’ under the supervision of Dr Charlotte Burn, The Royal Veterinary College, UK

Carley Betts (University of Bristol) ‘Do hens prefer signalled or unsignalled food rewards?’ under the supervision of Dr Liz Paul, University of Bristol

Harriet Davies (University of Cambridge) ‘Developing methods to assess positive emotions in cattle’ under the supervision of Dr Gareth Pearce, University of Cambridge, UK

Jonathon Elgie (University of Glasgow) ‘An investigation into the methods available for the determination of foetal age’, under the supervision of Ms Yusta Noelia, University of Glasgow, UK

Edward Fullick (The Royal Veterinary College) ‘The incidence of lead shot in carcasses of game birds and the impact this has on their welfare’, under the supervision of Dr Troy Gibson The Royal Veterinary College, UK

Eleanor Greenway (Bangor University) ‘Investigation in food preference and welfare of captive Thornback Rays’, under the supervision of Dr Gavan Cooke, Bangor University, UK

Sammy Kay (University of Lincoln) ‘Development of bTB assay for complex biological samples’ under the supervision of Professor Jonathan Cooper, University of Lincoln, UK

Alison McGann (University of Glasgow) ‘A pilot study to develop behavioural monitoring protocols for post-partum dairy heifers and neonatal calves on a commercial farm’, under the supervision of Miss Nicola Gladden, University of Glasgow, UK

Hayley Reeve (University of St Andrews) ‘Do rats have empathy?’ under the supervision of Dr Eric Bowman, University of St Andrews, UK

Helena Stokes (The Royal Veterinary College) ‘Nocturnal behaviour in orphan juvenile Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in a rehabilitation centre in Sri Lanka’, under the supervision of Dr Ayona Silva-Fletcher, The Royal Veterinary College, UK and Dr Vijitha Perera, Department of Wildlife, Elephant Transit Home, Sri Lanka

Chantal Villeneuve (The Royal Veterinary College) ‘Do domestic chickens show inequity aversion?’ under the supervision of Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe, The Royal Veterinary College, UK

Jack Wooton (University of Chester) ‘Reducing negative effects of tank surface impacts in captive male guppies (Poecilia reticulata)’, under the supervision of Dr Charlotte Hosie, University of Chester, UK

Jessica Anderson (Western University of Health Sciences) ‘Assessment of non-contact infrared thermometer measurement sites in birds’, under the supervision of Dr Jose Peralta, Western University of Health Sciences, USA

Jorge Ferreira (University of Porto) ‘Anaesthetic aversion in zebrafish’under the supervision of Dr Ana Maria Valentim, University of Porto, Portugal

Daniela Haager (University of Natural Resources and Life Science)‘Validation of hock lesions as a welfare indicator in dairy cows – A macroscopic, thermographic and histological study’, under the supervision of Prof Christopher Winckler, University of Natural Resources and Life Science, Austria

Florian Mayer (University of Natural Resources and Life Science)‘Behavioural and physiological reaction of sows to temporal crating prior to or after parturition’, under the supervision of Dr Christine Leeb, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria

2014

Aurora Martinez Aguilera ‘Proposal of a model humane management of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) raised in central and south of Chile’, under the supervision of Dr Beatriz Zapata, Veterinary School of University Mayor, Chile.

Samantha Arathimou ‘The effect of laminar air flow changing stations on the welfare of laboratory mice’, under the supervision of Dr Claire Richardson, Newcastle University, UK.

Laura Barlow ‘Measuring environment enrichment adequacy in pigs for farm inspections’, under the supervision of Professor Sandra Edwards, Newcastle University, UK.

Shona Blair ‘Surface temperature as an indicator of chronic stress in hens’, under the supervision of Dr Katherine Herborn, University of Glasgow, UK.

Samantha Hambleton ‘Opinions of farmers and veterinarians on using Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) alongside local anaesthesia when disbudding calves’, under the supervision of Dr Troy Gibson, The Royal Veterinary College, UK.

Laura Harper ‘Environmental enrichments effects on social learning in laboratory mice’, under the supervision of Professor Georgia Mason, University of Guelph, Canada.

Naomi Humphreys ‘Assessment of pain-induced distress with infrared thermography in response to rubber ring castration and tail docking in lambs’, under the supervision of Dr Troy Gibson, The Royal Veterinary College, UK.

Gemma Kitson ‘Assessing pain associated with abdominal approach vasectomy in CBA and CBA/2 mice’, under the supervision of Dr Matthew Leach, Newcastle University, UK.

Ria McLean ‘The incidence of Caslick’s vulvoplasty operations in Thoroughbred mares’, under the supervision of Dr Mina Davies Morel, Aberystwyth University, UK.

Helen Prinold ‘How do pullets reared in different systems adapt to furnished cages as laying hens?’, under the supervision of Dr Tina Widowski, University of Guelph, Canada.

Richard Carreras Ubach (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain) ‘Development of a quick automated cognitive bias task for laboratory mice’, under the supervision of Professor Michael Mendl, University of Bristol, UK.

Lori Uglow ‘The use of contrafreeloading behaviour as a welfare assessment tool in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)’, under the supervision of Dr Ben Brilot, Plymouth University, UK.

Elaine Wu ‘Do Steller sea lions suck? Assessing feed management strategies to reduce non-nutritive sucking behaviour in captive adult sea lions’, under the supervision of Dr Kristen Walker, University of British Columbia, Canada.