Roland Weber

Reduction in cross-sucking in calves by the use of a modified automatic teat feeder

Cross-sucking may be a problem in group-housed calves fed by automatic teat feeders. In the present study, the behaviour of calves fed by a conventional feeder with an open feeding stall (n=15 calves) was compared with the behaviour of calves fed by a modified feeder, closing in the rear after the calf has entered (n=14 calves). It was found that the calves fed by the feeder with the closed stall stayed longer in the feeding stall following milk ingestion (P<0.001), showed longer bouts of non-nutritive sucking directed to the teat after milk ingestion (P<0.005) and performed less cross-sucking in the first 15min after milk ingestion (P<0.001) than calves fed by the feeder with the open stall. The design of the feeder had, however, no significant influence on the incidence of cross-sucking performed without close temporal association with milk ingestion. As the modification in the feeding stall reduces cross-sucking and is not costly, it should be feasible to introduce it in practice.

The contribution of applied ethology in judging animal welfare in farm animal housing systems

Abstract In 1981, the Swiss animal welfare legislation introduced an authorisation procedure for mass-produced farm animal housing systems. If appropriate, practical tests are carried out to identify animal welfare problems in systems or devices that are proposed by manufacturers. Such tests may include veterinary, physiological and behavioural measurements. We briefly review practical tests of group cages for laying hens, electric cow-trainers and farrowing crates for sows. These examples illustrate how ethological studies make important contributions in judging animal welfare. It is also stressed that the development of alternative housing systems that are adapted to the behavioural organisation of farm animals should be a major field of applied ethology.

Performance, lean meat proportion and behaviour of fattening pigs given a liquid diet at different animal/feeding-place ratios

Abstract Sensor feeding is a liquid feeding system for fattening pigs that is operated with a restricted animal/feeding-place ratio(AFR). The aim of the present study was to quantify the effect of three different AFRs (4:1, 7:1 and 13:1, calculatedwith a feeding space of 33cm per animal) on the performance and behaviour of fattening pigs (mean initial weight 26·3(s.d. 3·3) kg, live weight at slaughter 102 (s.d. 5) kg). The pigs were housed in groups of 40 and each AFR was testedwith seven groups (21 groups in total). The daily weight gain of the individual pigs was calculated from the beginning ofthe experiments until slaughter. Additionally, the lean meat percentage was recorded (AutoFOM). Feeding behaviourwas observed by means of 24-h video recording at the ages of 14 and 17 weeks with scan sampling every 5min.The daily weight gain decreased with increasing AFR (P , 0·01) and females had lower weight gains than barrows(P , 0·001). The lean meat proportion was influenced by the AFR (P , 0·01) and sex of the pigs (P , 0·001).Proportions were highest with the AFR 13:1 and in females. The average number of pigs feeding simultaneously washighest for the AFR of 4:1 (P , 0·01). Moreover, the ingestion rate per day (kg/min) increased with increasing AFR(P , 0·05). The average number of pigs waiting behind other pigs feeding at the trough was highest with the AFR 13:1(P , 0·001).In conclusion, growth performance and pig behaviour were negatively affected by an AFR of 13:1, which cannot berecommended for use with this feeding system. With an AFR of 4:1 lean meat values were low.Keywords: fattening performance, feeding behaviour, liquid feed dispensers, pigs, space requirements.

Neu entwickelte Entmistungsschieber für Mastschweine

Two novel manure scrapers (combiscraper and folding combiscraper) used in pig fattening were tested to measure their effects on animals’ behavior. Data were recorded during two fattening periods. Both the type of the scraper and the age of the pigs had a significant influence on the occurrence of the behavior ‘avoiding the scraper sidewards’ and ‘crossing the scraper in the middle’. The majority of pigs crossed the folding combiscraper in the middle as compared to the combiscraper. Moreover, a larger number of pigs in the growing phase avoided to cross the scraper sidewards in comparison to animals of the finishing phase. The results indicate that the aggregate dimension of a scraper (height and depth) is of major importance to the animals.

Wie tiergerecht sind Rohrbreiautomaten in der Ferkelaufzucht

Ad libitum-Futterungsverfahren, etwa Rohrbreiautomaten, gewinnen in der Ferkelaufzucht zunehmend an Bedeutung. Offen ist dabei die Frage, wie weit das Tier-Fressplatzverhaltnis an solchen Automaten unter dem Aspekt der Tiergerechtheit sein darf. Die Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung mit zwei Gruppengrossen (40 und 60 Tiere) mit unterschiedlichem Tier-Fressplatzverhaltnis (6,7:1 und 10:1) zeigen, dass die Haufigkeit von Aggressionen am Futterautomaten bei den beiden Gruppengrossen nicht signifikant verschieden war. Die Dauer der Uberbelegung des Futterautomaten war hingegen in den 60er-Gruppen signifikant langer als in den 40er-Gruppen. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass ein Tier-Fressplatzverhaltnis von 10:1, wie es bei den 60er-Gruppen der Fall war, als kritisch einzustufen ist. Weniger Tiere pro Fressplatz sind daher vorzuziehen.