Understanding Animal Behavior and Welfare

What is animal behavior?

study of how animals move in their environment, interact socially, learn about their environment, and achieve cognitive understanding.

How is animal behavior related to cognitive functions?

a product of computational and motor activity of specific circuits in the brain and is closely related to cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and decision

What defines animal behavior?

all the things that animals do in response to stimuli, often involving fixed action patterns (FAP) that help them adapt to changes.

What is the S - O -R framework in animal behavior

stimuli organism response that highlights how environmental stimuli influence an organism response

What is animal personality?

refers to consistent individual differences in behavior, also known as behavioral syndromes, individual differences, coping strategies, and temperaments.

Why is studying animal behavior important?

bridges molecular and physiological biology with ecology, linking organisms to their environment and playing a critical role in biological adaptations.

How does animal behavior affect livestock production?

can help mitigate stress in livestock, improve welfare, health, and productivity, and inform effective management strategies.

What is the flight zone in animal handling?

an animal's 'personal space'; entering this zone causes the animal to move away.

What are innate behaviors?

are inherent or present from birth, predictable, species

innate behavior

genetically controlled and unlearned

acquired behavior

results from experience and can be modified through learning

What is animal aggression?

refers to behaviors that can occur between different species, such as a predator attacking its prey.

What is an example of interspecies aggression?

lioness attacking a Cape buffalo.

What role does behavior play in defining an organism?

it is a critical aspect of an organism, influencing how it interacts with its environment and is as intrinsic as physical attributes like coat or wings.

How can studying animal behavior enhance livestock management?

it provides insights into the needs and preferences of livestock, leading to better management strategies and reduced stress.

What is the significance of behavioral attributes in animals?

contribute to the overall beauty and appeal of an animal, influencing how they are perceived.

What is the importance of understanding animal temperament?

Understanding it can facilitate safety in farms and improve handling techniques.

How does behavior relate to biological adaptations?

a critical role in how animals adapt biologically to their environments.

What is the impact of modern livestock management practices on animal behavior?

practices can induce stress in animals, affecting their welfare and productive performance.

What is the relationship between the nervous system and behavior?

is an expression of the capabilities of the nervous system, determining responses to environmental stimuli.

How has the study of animal personality evolved?

The study has been a focus for the past 20 years, exploring consistent individual differences in behavior.

What are some techniques to modify animal temperament?

enhancing safety and management in farming.

What is the role of experience in acquired behavior?

adaptive and can be modified through experience, making it flexible and subject to change.

What is interspecies aggression?

A series of behaviors between different species, such as a predator attacking its prey or antipredatory behaviors to protect against a predator.

What are some examples of interspecies aggression?

Dogs and llamas as watch animals to prevent predation of sheep, or dogs protecting their owners.

What is intraspecies aggression?

Aggression directed toward other members of the same species.

What is territoriality in the context of animal aggression?

A behavior where an animal, often the male, defends a territory against intruders.

How does social hierarchy relate to intraspecies aggression?

maintains stability in social species and can affect food intake among group

other term for social hierarchy

peck order

What factors determine dominance in social hierarchies among animals?

Age and hunting ability are important factors in determining dominance.

What are some aggressive encounters that can occur within the same species?

Attacks that can lead to injury or death, forced mating, and competition for resources.

testosterone

affects aggressive behaviors

castrated males

do not exhibit aggressive behavior.

What role do serotonin and tryptophan play in aggression?

They are involved in the brain's control of aggression.

What is cockfighting and what are its implications?

A blood sport involving roosters bred for aggression, where they fight to the death, raising animal welfare concerns.

Which type of chickens are more aggressive?

Broiler breeder males are more aggressive than game chickens or layer

What is a common behavioral problem in dogs?

Aggression, which accounts for approximately 70% of cases in referral practices across North America.

Which dog breeds have a higher incidence of aggression problems?

Dalmatians, English springer spaniels, German shepherd dogs, and mixed

What is a common behavior exhibited by aggressive dogs?

Marked territoriality, often shown through barking when a strange dog or person enters their territory.

What factors contribute to aggression in cattle?

usually due to fear, learning, and hormonal state.

What is notable about bull aggression?

notorious for their unpredictable aggression.

What are common aggressive behaviors exhibited by horses?

Chasing, neck wrestling, kicks, bites, and other threats.

What are signs of aggression in horses?

Ears flattened backward, retracted lips, rapid tail movements, and threats to kick.

How do submissive horses respond to aggression?

By avoiding, lowering their neck and head, clamping their tail, and turning away.

When do piglets show aggression?

show aggression to other piglets within the first week of life while forming a teat order.

What may happen when new pigs are introduced into a group?

Aggression may occur as the pigs establish social ranks.

What are the main causes of tail biting in pigs?

Overcrowding and boredom.

In which group of pigs is tail biting mostly seen?

Confined pigs, particularly primiparous gilts.

What percentage of piglet deaths is attributed to cannibalism?

4% of piglet deaths.

When is cannibalism most common among piglets?

Immediately after parturition when the sow is stressed.

What is the primary purpose of reproductive behavior in animals?

To increase the chances of passing on genes to offspring and ensuring fertilization of female gametes.

What is estrus in female animals?

The period when a female is fertile and receptive to mating.

What are some courtship behaviors exhibited before mating?

Identifying female fertility, ensuring female responsiveness, and positioning for mounting.

What specific behavior indicates a female horse is in estrus?

Winking her vulva.

What pheromone related behavior is exhibited by male boars?

grunting and producing pheromones

What is a common feeding behavior of pigs?

Using their snout to explore and search for food items.

How do pigs typically designate areas for defecation?

They may defecate in specific areas away from their sleeping and feeding locations.

What feeding activity pattern do cattle exhibit?

often show a crepuscular pattern, being most active around dawn and dusk.

What behavioral adaptations do pigs have to prevent hyperthermia?

Wallowing in mud.

What sensory capability allows animals to feel temperature changes?

Sensory receptors in their skin.

What is animal communication?

The transfer of information from one or a group of animals to others that affects behavior.

What are kairomones?

Allelochemicals that evoke a behavioral or physiological response in the receiver of the signal.

What is a 'signal' in the context of animal communication?

Information from the sender that changes the behavior of a receiver.

What types of signals do animals use to communicate?

Visual, auditory, chemical (pheromones), and tactile (touch

What is the significance of signaling theory in animal communication?

It predicts that both sender and receiver should benefit from the interaction for the signal to be maintained.

What behavior do dogs exhibit to mark their territory?

Urination.

What is the role of parental behaviors in animals?

To feed and protect the offspring.

What is the impact of slatted floors without bedding on pigs?

They predispose pigs to tail biting.

What is auditory detection in animal communication?

involves hearing vocalizations, such as sows adopting lordosis in response to boar grunting.

Give examples of auditory communication in animals.

chirps, croaks, howls, barks, and gobbles.

What is olfactory detection in animal communication?

the smelling of pheromones and other scents, such as dogs marking territories or bulls responding to cow urine.

What is an example of olfactory communication in animals?

The flehmen response of bulls to the urine of cows in heat.

What does visual detection in animal communication involve?

signaling movements like submissive positioning in dogs and head bobbing in poultry.

What is an example of visual communication in peacocks?

spread their tail feathers during courtship to attract mates.

What is the definition of animal welfare according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)?

the physical and psychological wellbeing of an animal, characterized by fitness, health, natural behavior, absence of suffering, and a positive state of wellbeing.

What are the three elements of animal welfare?

1. Normal biological functioning (health and nutrition)

2. Emotional state (absence of negative emotions),

3. Ability to express normal behaviors.

What is the Five Domains Model in animal welfare assessment?

A model that assesses quality of life based on Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Mental State.

What does the Nutrition domain in the Five Domains Model entail?

Animals should have access to unrestricted, sufficient, species

What is included in the Environment domain of the Five Domains Model?

should provide comfort through temperature, substrate, space, air, odor, noise, and predictability.

What does the Health domain in the Five Domains Model focus on?

Ensuring animals are in good health, with prevention and treatment of illnesses and injuries.

What behaviors are encouraged in the Behaviour domain of the Five Domains Model?

Animals should be able to express natural behaviors such as exploration, foraging, bonding, playing, and retreating.

What is the focus of the Mental State domain in the Five Domains Model?

To promote positive mental states such as pleasure and comfort while reducing negative states like fear and pain.

Why is animal welfare important in livestock?

It is an indicator of animal health and welfare; poor welfare can lead to reduced reproductive performance and productivity.

What can deprived reproductive performance in livestock indicate?

It may indicate the presence of animal welfare problems.

How can bad animal welfare practices affect livestock productivity?

They can alter physiology, leading to decreased productivity due to altered body metabolism.

What is stress in the context of animal welfare?

Stress is an external event that strains a biological system and threatens homeostasis.

What types of stress can animals experience?

can be physical or psychological.

What are examples of physical stress in animals?

Extremes of temperature and abnormally low blood glucose concentrations.

What are some psychological stressors in livestock?

Transportation, a new environment, and being handled with or without pain, such as branding, dehorning, tail docking, and castration.

What is a significant cause of stress in livestock?

Fear is a very strong stressor that, along with pain, affects the quality and value of meat.

How does stress affect animal welfare?

can impair productivity.

What is one way to improve livestock productivity according to Temple Grandin?

Reducing stress during handling improves productivity.

What are some behavioral indices used to assess stress in livestock?

Grooming in cats, preening in poultry, aggression, arousal, and response to novel stimuli.

What physiological indicator is commonly measured to assess stress in mammals?

Cortisol levels in urine or saliva.

What production metrics can indicate stress in livestock?

Growth rates, milk production in dairy cattle, and egg production in laying hens.

What health indices are affected by stress in livestock?

Frequency of injuries, disease, and mortality, as stress impairs the immune response.

What physiological indices can indicate stress in livestock?

Increased heart rate and eye temperature.

What painful procedures in cattle are associated with increased cortisol release?

Dehorning and branding.

How does bedding affect dairy cows?

can affect lesions on the legs of dairy cows.

What vocalization response do cattle exhibit in commercial packing plants?

from electric prods, slipping, or excessive pressure.