Group differences in captive gorillas’ reaction to large crowds
The impact of visitor crowd size on captive animal behaviour can be difficult to interpret in many institutions due to the lack of variation in crowd size over short periods of time. In attempts to compare greater variation in crowd size, animal behaviour is often compared over conditions that create additional confounds, such as day […]
Female crickets are driven to fight by the male courting and calling songs
Crickets have traditional sex roles, where males compete aggressively for access to selective polyandrous females. However, in a laboratory experiment, we found that normally nonaggressive female Gryllus campestris fought each other vigorously in the presence of a courting male, resulting in a dominant female that gained a greater probability of receiving the spermatophore. Female-female fights […]
Effect of mares’ dominance rank on suckling behaviour in the loose housed domestic horses
Suckling is a main part of maternal investment in equids. The suckling period is crucial for adequate physical as well as psychical development of the foal. The rank of the mother and her aggressiveness could be factors responsible for later reproductive or social success of the foal. We hypothesised that under conditions characterized by balanced […]
Out of sight or in too deep: Effect of visual barriers and water depth on agonistic behaviour and growth in hatchling saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)
This study tests the role of visual barriers and water depth on levels of agonistic behaviour and growth in hatchling Crocodylus porosus within the first 3 weeks of life. Ninety-six individuals from four separate clutches hatched over 2 days were divided across three treatments containing two groups with 16 individuals each: shallow water with no […]
Effects of restraint with or without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic behaviour in horned and hornless goats
The strict dominance hierarchy in goats bears the risk of low-ranking goats not getting adequate access to feed, especially for goats in small groups. The aim of our study was to test the effect of restraint in headlocks with and without blinds at the feed barrier on feeding and agonistic behaviour in horned and hornless […]
Effect of hiding places, straw and territory on aggression in group-housed rabbit does
Group-housing of rabbit does may be preferred from welfare point of view. However, group-housing causes agonistic behaviour which may cause severe injuries. Severe injuries may be prevented by offering hiding places for attacked does. Providing enrichment (straw) may reduce agonistic behaviour by attracting attention from fighting. In contrast, acquisition of a territory within a group […]
Group composition for fattening entire male pigs under enriched housing conditions—Influences on behaviour, injuries and boar taint compounds
In organic farming, the production of pork from entire male pigs seems to be the most promising alternative to castration, as organic animal husbandry aims at high standards of animal welfare and elimination of mutilations. However, previous research on behaviour of entire male pigs was mostly carried out under barren housing conditions and is thus […]
Network characteristics and development of social structure of agonistic behaviour in pigs across three repeated rehousing and mixing events
In commercial pig production, the mixing of unacquainted pigs is a standard procedure which leads to agonistic interactions with a wide range of individual pig behaviour. A reduction in these agonistic interactions positively affects animal health, welfare aspects and production parameters. With the help of social network analysis, insight into animal societies can be gained […]
Effects of space allowance in the waiting area on agonistic interactions and heart rate of high and low ranking horned dairy cows
One possible alternative to avoid the disbudding of calves is to keep the cows horned. This, however, requires adapted housing conditions. An important aspect to reduce agonistic interactions that may lead to injuries is to provide appropriate space allowances in all parts of the stable. This study investigated the influence of three different space allowances […]