Physiological responses and blood gas exchange following long-distance transport of piglets weaned at different ages over unpaved or paved roads
This study investigated the physiological changes associated with the prolonged transport of piglets weaned at three different ages: 10 (W10), 15 (W15) and 21(W21) days under two experimental conditions: over an unpaved (UPR) vs. a paved road (PR). During the experiment the piglets were exposed to two stressors simultaneously: weaning and transport in a vehicle […]
Abnormal behaviour with a focus on stereotypies – indicators of suffering and impaired welfare?
Abnormal behaviour is a potential indicator of pain, suffering and injury in captive animals. Especially stereotypies, i.e. repetitive invariant behavioural patterns without obvious function or goal, can be observed as a consequence of inadequate housing conditions. Hence, they are often considered indicators of impaired welfare. In context of the ongoing scientific debate on captive animal […]