{"title":"Study on the Preference of the Dybowski's Frog (<i>Rana dybowskii</i>) for Different Covering Shelter.","authors":"Meizhang Wang, Yingdong Li, Nan Hu, Shuhao Sun","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2528141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2528141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Optimizing shelter design is essential for improving the welfare and husbandry practices of Dybowski's frog (<i>Rana dybowskii</i>). This study examined shelter preferences by testing variables such as material, size, shape, color, height, and tunnel structure. The results revealed distinct behavioral preferences that have significant implications for ecosystem management. Adult frogs demonstrated a preference for shelters made of palm bark, specifically those that were larger, rectangular, brown, and elevated 10 cm above the ground. Juvenile frogs favored even larger, rectangular shelters, preferring those made of ceramic materials and positioned 5 cm above the ground. Both adult and juvenile frogs consistently avoided spherical tunnels, showing a preference for deeper tunnels, which indicates an important aspect of their behavioral ecology. These insights are essential for optimizing the breeding environment of <i>R. dybowskii</i>, potentially improving survival rates, reproduction, and broader conservation efforts. This study establishes a behavioral framework for optimizing captive management protocols of <i>R. dybowskii</i>, providing empirical data to refine anti-predatory adaptations in confinement settings and environmental enrichment strategies in commercial breeding operations.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effect of Environmental Enrichment on Behavior, Fear, Stress, Lameness, Bone, and Litter Quality in Broiler Chickens.","authors":"Emrah Yenilmez, Nasir Abdallah, Mikail Baylan, Kadriye Kursun","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2531967","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2531967","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the effect of environmental enrichment on behavior, welfare and litter quality in broiler chickens. The birds were housed in enriched (EE) or conventional (C) litter production system. Four experimental groups were formed (EE - FAST, EE - SLOW, C - FAST, C - SLOW). Perching behavior was influenced by strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). Lying/standing on straw bales varied according to strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). Lying in sandboxes was influenced by the strain, age, and time of the day (P<0.05). The strain and time of the day had no effect on dustbathing behavior (P>0.05). However, the bird's age influenced dustbathing behavior (P<0.05). The rectal, and breast region temperature and the litter quality also varied among the strains (P<0.05). The TI induction also increased with age (P<0.05). The housing environment, strain, and age had no effect on TI duration, metatarsal and comb region temperature, and gait score (P>0.05). The strain affected the tibia and femur traits (length, width, and breaking strength) (P<0.05). However, the environment only influenced the bone-breaking strength (P<0.05).</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144627862","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving Welfare in Suckling Goat Kids During Winter: Impact of Heat-Retentive Kid Nest on Hiding, Playing, Suckling, and Nursing Behaviors.","authors":"Ajoy Das, Dilip Kumar Mandal, Asish Debbarma, Bed Singh, Ashmita Debnath","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2531966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2531966","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The welfare of winter-born suckling goat kids is important, as their thermoregulatory systems are still developing. The pilot study investigated the impact of heat-retentive kid nest (HRKN) on hiding, playing and suckling behaviors of kids born during winter. Twelve newborn kids were divided into two groups along with their respective dams. The HRKN, designed to provide warmer microclimatic conditions, served as ancillary housing for the HRKN group, while the control group was housed intensively without HRKN. Given the lack of independent replicates in each treatment group (<i>n</i> = 1 per treatment), the results are summarized descriptively. The preference of kids for the HRKN was evident early in life, with decreased hiding observed as they matured. As age increased, suckling duration decreased, but HRKN kids had higher summed duration and frequencies of suckling, with less rejection. Additionally, HRKN kids showed increased frequencies of play behaviors including locomotor play, jumping, head pressing, head movement, and mounting. HRKN thus emerged as an effective management tool for pre-weaned suckling goat kids during winter for improving their welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144610380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"\"Well, You Think Rabbits, You Think Rabbit Hutch\" - Public Perception of Companion Rabbit Ownership and Accommodation.","authors":"Natalie Powdrill-Wells, Samantha Ryan, Kattie Stoneman, Fiona Cooke","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2529456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2529456","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite protection under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, rabbits in the United Kingdom are often housed in inadequate environments. In this study, semi-structured interviews were used to explore public perceptions of companion rabbit ownership and accommodation requirements. Thematic analysis revealed that participant views about keeping rabbits as companion animals varied, including their perceptions of the care they require. Seventy-one percent of the participants with previous rabbit ownership experience were unlikely to consider rabbit ownership again, mainly due to the realities of rabbit care. Tradition and the lack of visibility of good practice were cited as key influences behind perceptions of appropriate rabbit accommodation. Participants lacked awareness of the minimum space required for adequate rabbit accommodation within the Good Practice Code for the Welfare of Rabbits. Acquisition sources were considered an important avenue for advice about appropriate rabbit accommodation provision. Owner ability to suitably provide for rabbit needs was highlighted as a significant issue. Ultimately with conflict between what society can provide and rabbit welfare needs, the future of rabbits as companion animals in the United Kingdom is uncertain.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144602379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariana Bender, Nataly Oliveira Dos Santos Neves, Fernanda Regina Delziovo, Larissa Stockhausen, Letícia Serzedello, Matheus de Souza Gasparotto, Luiz Augusto Cipriani, Natalia Ha, Jhonata Pereira Bicalho, Thiago El Hadi Perez Fabregat
{"title":"Environmental Enrichment with Aquatic Plants: Impact of the Environment of Choice on Performance of Bettas.","authors":"Mariana Bender, Nataly Oliveira Dos Santos Neves, Fernanda Regina Delziovo, Larissa Stockhausen, Letícia Serzedello, Matheus de Souza Gasparotto, Luiz Augusto Cipriani, Natalia Ha, Jhonata Pereira Bicalho, Thiago El Hadi Perez Fabregat","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2529457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2529457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p> This study aimed to evaluate the choice between environments with aquatic plants and the impact of the environment of choice on the performance of bettas (Betta splendens). First, the choice between environments with natural and artificial plants was evaluated. Adult betta fish were evaluated in circular tanks subdivided into a central compartment (neutral) and four side compartments: white, green, natural Elodea (Egeria dense) and artificial Elodea. Ten fish of each sex individually tested for five days. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (time, sex, and compartment). In the second experiment, the effect of the compartments of the first study on fish performance was evaluated. The experimental design was in randomized blocks with four treatments and five replications. Female bettas were divided into 20 tanks at a density of four fish per tank. In the first experiment, there was a gradation in the choice between different enrichments and both sexes demonstrated a preference for environments with natural plants. In the second experiment, the environmental enrichments with aquatic plants did not affect the performance of female bettas.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Debapritam Deb, Girin Kalita, Goswami Ranjana, Paul Abhishek, Rajat Buragohain, Hemen Das
{"title":"Welfare Issues on Dairy Farms in Tripura, India, as Identified Through On-Farm Inspection.","authors":"Debapritam Deb, Girin Kalita, Goswami Ranjana, Paul Abhishek, Rajat Buragohain, Hemen Das","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2025.2527701","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2025.2527701","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the aim of identifying the welfare issues of dairy animals in field conditions in Tripura state, the study was carried out across 3 purposively selected districts having maximum cooperatives and from each district 8 cooperative societies were selected at random, totaling 120 farmers (5 farmers from each cooperative). Farmers were grouped by herd size i.e. small (<3 animals), medium (3-8), and large (>8). Welfare was evaluated using 20 indicators-10 resource-based and 10 animal-based-divided into three components: animal housing and other facilities (30 score), feeds and feeding practices (30 score), and animal health, performance, and behavior (40 score), totaling 100. Overall mean welfare scores were: small herds 52.9 ± 0.5, medium 53.5 ± 0.5, and large 47.2 ± 1.1. Only 13.3% of farmers achieved \"good\" welfare (>60% score), while 80.8% were \"average\" (40-60%), and 5.8% fell into the \"poor\" category (<40%). Small and medium herd farmers had significantly higher welfare scores than large herd farmers (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that the majority of dairy farms in Tripura maintain average to poor animal welfare, with very few meeting acceptable welfare standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144562104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gustavo Roberto Dias Rodrigues, Eduarda da Silva Oliveira, Vanessa Theodoro Rezende, Janine França, Camila Raineri
{"title":"Exploring buyer's preferences to propose strategies to improve dog welfare in Brazil.","authors":"Gustavo Roberto Dias Rodrigues, Eduarda da Silva Oliveira, Vanessa Theodoro Rezende, Janine França, Camila Raineri","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2023.2282972","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2023.2282972","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to investigate trends and concerns related to the commercialization of dogs in Brazil. The authors analyzed 1,500 ads for the sale of Miniature Schnauzer, Chihuahua, and German Spitz breeds using the methodology of hedonic price analysis. Marginal and relative values of attributes were calculated for puppy sex, coat, age, pedigree, vaccination and deworming, seller type and region, using ordinary least squares. The most valued attributes for each breed were identified as selling by kennels, pedigree, and coat color. The results suggest that this market niche is willing to pay for guarantees of better dog breeding, which represents an opportunity for the development of certification labels for origin and good practices for kennels. Such labels could become an effective strategy to ensure greater transparency and better welfare standards in the Brazilian dog market. This study also provides valuable insights for the development of guidelines and public policies aimed at improving animal welfare and reducing information asymmetry in the pet market.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"388-399"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134650604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The use of a penetrative captive bolt device during the killing of farmed saltwater crocodiles (<i>Crocodylus porosus</i>).","authors":"Leisha Hewitt, Dominic Niemeyer, Alison Small","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2357580","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2357580","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Killing of farmed saltwater crocodiles involve stunning with a penetrative captive bolt device, followed by a cut across the nape of the neck and physical destruction of the brain to ensure death. This study was a welfare-based assessment of the use of a penetrative captive bolt device in saltwater crocodiles, to determine whether it satisfies the criteria of a humane stunning method and can be regarded as a direct killing method without the need for the application of an adjunct method. Methods used were electroencephalogram (EEG), observation of post-stun behavior, and <i>postmortem</i> examination of gross pathology of the cranium and brain. 30 of 30 animals, demonstrated immediate and irreversible loss of consciousness. There was extensive damage to the brain in all animals, deemed to be inconsistent with cortical function and possible recovery. The CASH Special 0.22 penetrative captive bolt pistol (1.25 grain cartridge), applied to the top of the cranial plate, produced immediate and irreversible unconsciousness in all the animals studied. This method satisfies animal welfare expectations, providing crocodile processors with a technique that contributes to a humane killing process.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"446-460"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141156095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Key Concepts for Enhancing Zoo Animal Welfare: Coping, Comfort, Choice, Control, Challenge, and Compassion.","authors":"Paul E Rose, Jack Lewton","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2440891","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2024.2440891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoo animal welfare is subject to increasing scrutiny by many audiences. Although zoo husbandry and management techniques have progressed, common welfare issues are still apparent. To encourage further improvements, converting theoretical welfare definition into practical application is key. This paper evaluates a familiar definition to form a baseline for practical welfare assessment that benefits animals and zoo operations. If we consider coping and comfort as measurable indicators, plus choice and control to cement autonomy for the animal, achieving positive welfare is more likely. Providing positive cognitive challenge results in improvements to behavioral diversity. When husbandry is ecologically relevant, this welfare-friendly approach evolves into husbandry-based evidence, further justifying approaches to animal care. The human element of husbandry (e.g., development and training of personnel) impacts on welfare, necessitating a compassionate approach to daily operations. Compassion - for animal and human wellbeing - ultimately embeds welfare as a core zoo goal. The unique environment of the zoo, with its mix of wild species, human workforce and visitors, coupled with the amount we still must learn about species' husbandry needs emphasizes continual development of welfare approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"497-514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142907900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Going to the office - What's in it for the dog?","authors":"S Foltin, L M Glenk","doi":"10.1080/10888705.2023.2268540","DOIUrl":"10.1080/10888705.2023.2268540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Benefits and challenges of dogs being present at the office were analyzed from three perspectives: the company view, the dog owner (employee) and the dog view. For companies, office dogs may serve as a branding symbol, leading to higher employee satisfaction and productivity, increased stress resilience and fewer turnover intentions. Yet, companies need to apply pet policies, risk management strategies and mitigate nuisance such as barking, loose fur or excrement. Additional breaks to walk the dogs are required and other employees or customers may be irritated. Employees take advantage of stress reduction, social support, higher job satisfaction, not having to leave their animal at home. Still, an office dog is an added responsibility in terms well-being, safety, distraction from work and emotional involvement. Although the animal perspective has not yet been scientifically addressed, we propose potential benefits such as less separation distress by having the owner nearby, higher social engagement and additional walks during breaks. Challenges for dogs may involve unwanted attention, aversive environmental stimulation, being restrained via leash or crate, irritation caused by conspecifics, emotional contagion or individual requirements.</p>","PeriodicalId":56277,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science","volume":" ","pages":"371-387"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41221413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}