Journal Articles

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    Provision of lucerne in the diet or as a manipulable enrichment material enhances feed efficiency and welfare status for growing-finishing pigs
    (1/10/2022) Nguyen TT; Chidgey KL; Wester TJ; Morel PCH
    This research investigated the effects of including lucerne in a diet and as manipulable enrichment material on growing-finishing pig growth performance and behaviour. Forty-eight intact male Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) pigs with an initial live weight (LW) of 26.4 ± 2.32 kg (mean ± SD) were blocked by LW and randomly assigned to two dietary treatments (control vs lucerne), and two manipulable material treatments (without and with lucerne chaff for manipulable material). The barley and soybean meal-based control diet was formulated according to a commercial standard, while the lucerne diet replaced 100 g/kg of the barley and soybean oil in the control diet with lucerne chaff. The diets were formulated to have the same amount of digestible energy and apparent ileal digestible lysine. Manipulable material (lucerne chaff) was provided daily at 100 g/pig. Pigs had ad libitum access to diets via electronic feeders until they reached approximately 90 kg LW, at which time they were slaughtered. There were no interactions between dietary treatment and provision of manipulable material on pig production and behaviour. Feeding the lucerne diet reduced average daily feed intake, LW gain, feed intake per feeder visit, and feeding rate, but increased feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Access to manipulable material did not affect any growth traits, but the number of feeder visits per day was greater and the duration of visits to the feeder was lower in pigs that had access to lucerne chaff (P < 0.001). Compared to the other groups, pigs that consumed the lucerne diet or had access to manipulable material rested for a shorter duration but engaged in more social interactions and exploration behaviour. In conclusion, including 10% lucerne in growing-finishing diets improved feed efficiency and lucerne chaff appears to be an attractive enrichment source to pigs.
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    The effect of nutrition and body condition of triplet-bearing ewes during late pregnancy on the behaviour of ewes and lambs
    (Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2018-12) Gronqvist GV; Corner-Thomas RA; Kenyon PR; Stafford KJ; Morris ST; Hickson RE
    OBJECTIVE: Triplet-born lambs are less likely to survive to weaning than twin-born or single-born lambs. Appropriate ewe-lamb bonding behaviours and lamb vigour behaviours are necessary for survival of lambs. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether maternal nutrition during late pregnancy influenced behaviour of the ewe and her lambs soon after birth, and to determine whether mid-pregnancy body condition score (BCS) influenced any behavioural response. METHODS: The experiments included ewes that were in BCS 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 in mid-pregnancy and were fed either ad libitum or to pregnancy-maintenance requirements in late-pregnancy (day 115 until 136 in experiment one, and day 128 until 141 in experiment two). The time taken for lambs to stand, contact dam, suck from dam and follow dam was recorded three to 18 h after birth. The number of high- and low-pitched bleats emitted by the ewe and lambs was recorded, along with maternal behaviour score (MBS) of the ewe. Lambs in experiment two underwent a maternal-recognition test at 12 or 24 h. RESULTS: There were significant effects of feeding treatment on bleating behaviour of ewes and lambs, but these were inconsistent among BCS groups and between experiments. Lamb vigour behaviours were not affected by feeding treatment. In experiment one, there was no effect of feeding treatment or BCS on MBS, but in experiment two, ewes in BCS3 in mid-pregnancy had greater MBS than ewes in BCS2 in mid-pregnancy (MBS 3.1/5 vs MBS 2.1/5; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Given there were no repeatable effects on behaviour of ewes and lambs, ad libitum feeding rather than feeding for pregnancy-maintenance requirements cannot be used to improve behaviours soon after birth of triplet-bearing ewes in BCS 2-3 and their lambs in extensive pastoral conditions.
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    The use of farm-management tools by New Zealand sheep farmers: Changes with time
    (New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 2016) Corner-Thomas, RA; Kenyon, PR; Morris, ST; Ridler, AL; Hickson, RE; Greer, AW; Logan, CM; Blair, HT
    The utilisation of farm-management tools by New Zealand sheep farmers can support on-farm decision making, thus facilitating improvements in productivity and profitability of the farming enterprise. There are numerous management tools available to farmers, for example, a recent report identified 127 tools that were available to New Zealand farmers (Allen & Wolfert 2011). Although a large number of tools are accessible to farmers, a survey of sheep farmers conducted in 2012 by Corner-Thomas et al. (2015) identified many that were utilised by only a small percentage of farmers. This indicates that there is the potential for increased uptake of management tools which, if relevant, may lead to benefits in on-farm productivity. The aim of the current study was to determine for sheep farmers in New Zealand, if use of farm-management tools had changed over a two-year period.
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    Does Viagra protect fetal lambs against maternal pregnancy toxaemia?
    (New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 2016) Peterson, SW; Pain, SJ; McCoard, SA; Oliver, M; Baker, PB; Kenyon, PR; Blair, HT
    Poor fetal growth is commonly caused by placental insufficiency. In sheep, multiple fetuses have relatively small placentae with fewer cotyledons than singletons, limiting blood flow to the placenta, especially in late gestation when fetal growth rate is highest. Factors that reduce fetal growth, such as maternal genotype, nutrition, age, parity, fetal number, or environmental temperature, typically reduce placental size and are associated with lower rates of fetal oxygen and nutrient uptakes and placental blood flow (Reynolds & Redmer 2001). Further, circumstances that influence placental vascular development have a dramatic impact on fetal growth and development, and affect neonatal survival and growth (Borowicz et al. 2007; Satterfield et al, 2010). Sildenafil citrate (SC, trade names Viagra or Avigra) increases vasodilatation of uteroplacental vessels (Wareing et al. 2005) and may represent a novel therapy to improve fetal lamb growth. Sildenafil citrate has successfully increased birth weight in rodent models and singleton bearing ewes (Satterfield et al. 2010; Miller at al. 2009). There is no published information regarding the use of SC in multiple-bearing ewes. The objective of this trial was to determine if SC administration to triplet-bearing ewes in late gestation could increase lamb birth weight. In addition, the influence of SC on the incidence of pregnancy toxaemia is also reported here.
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    Rumen Development of Artificially-Reared Lambs Exposed to Three Different Rearing Regimens.
    (20/12/2021) Herath HMGP; Pain SJ; Kenyon PR; Blair HT; Morel PCH
    The objective of this study was to examine the effect of three different rearing regimens on rumen development in lambs reared artificially. Romney ram lambs were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: commercial milk replacer fed to 57 d of age and high fibre concentrate pellets (HFP57); commercial milk replacer, high fibre concentrate pellets, and early weaning from milk replacer at 42 d of age (HFP42); high protein milk replacer from 2-16 d of age followed by commercial milk replacer, low fibre concentrate pellets, and early weaning from milk replacer at 42 d of age (LFP42). Lambs were slaughtered at 57 d of age. Volatile fatty acid content in rumen fluid at slaughter was analysed and rumen tissue samples were collected for histological examination. The rumen n-butyric content was greater (p < 0.05) in both LFP42 and HFP42 treatment lambs compared to HFP57 lambs. The n-valeric content was greater (p < 0.05) in LFP42 lambs compared to both HFP57 and HFP42 treatment lambs. Thickness of the rumen dorsal wall determined by ultrasound scanning at 49 d was greater (p < 0.05) in both HFP42 and LFP42 lambs compared to HFP57 lambs. There was an interaction (p < 0.05) between treatment and site of rumen tissue sampling on papillae width, density, and rumen muscular layer thickness. Collectively, early weaning and the provision of a low fibre pellet leads to improved rumen function and physical development.
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    Benefits of animal exposure on veterinary students’ understanding of equine behaviour and self-assessed equine handling skills
    (MDPI, 2019-09) Guinnefollau L; Gee E; Bolwell C; Norman E; Rogers C
    Horses are one of the most dangerous animals veterinarians have to work with. For many veterinary students, their first exposure to horses occurs during practical classes. To evaluate the level of knowledge students have of equine behaviour and their equine handling competency when entering the programme, 214 veterinary students (1st and 4th year) were recruited to participate in a questionnaire. Participants were asked to choose one out of 12 terms that best represented the affective state of a horse in a picture, and to self-assess their equine handling skills. Half (n = 56/115) of the first-year students correctly interpreted the horse’s behaviour. The majority had (1) a poor understanding of equine learning mechanisms and (2) poor self-rated equine handling skills. A history of pet ownership (p = 0.027) and the presence of horses on their family property (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with a correct understanding of equine behaviour. Fourth-year students were three times more likely to accurately interpret the horse’s behaviour (p = 0.01) and rated their handling skills higher than first-year students (p = 0.006). These results suggest that previous animal experience confers a considerable advantage to interpret equine behaviour and highlight the critical importance of practical training in the veterinary programme.
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    Changes in the welfare of an injured working farm dog assessed using the Five Domains Model
    (21/09/2016) Littlewood KE; Mellor DJ
    © 2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The present structured, systematic and comprehensive welfare evaluation of an injured working farm dog using the Five Domains Model is of interest in its own right. It is also an example for others wanting to apply the Model to welfare evaluations in different species and contexts. Six stages of a fictitious scenario involving the dog are considered: (1) its on-farm circumstances before one hind leg is injured; (2) its entanglement in barbed wire, cutting it free and transporting it to a veterinary clinic; (3) the initial veterinary examination and overnight stay; (4) amputation of the limb and immediate post-operative recovery; (5) its first four weeks after rehoming to a lifestyle block; and (6) its subsequent life as an amputee and pet. Not all features of the scenario represent average-to-good practice; indeed, some have been selected to indicate poor practice. It is shown how the Model can draw attention to areas of animal welfare concern and, importantly, to how welfare enhancement may be impeded or facilitated. Also illustrated is how the welfare implications of a sequence of events can be traced and evaluated, and, in relation to specific situations, how the degrees of welfare compromise and enhancement may be graded. In addition, the choice of a companion animal, contrasting its welfare status as a working dog and pet, and considering its treatment in a veterinary clinical setting, help to highlight various welfare impacts of some practices. By focussing attention on welfare problems, the Model can guide the implementation of remedies, including ways of promoting positive welfare states. Finally, wider applications of the Five Domains Model are noted: by enabling both negative and positive welfare-relevant experiences to be graded, the Model can be applied to quality of life assessments and end-of-life decisions and, with particular regard to negativeexperiences, the Model can also help to strengthen expert witness testimony during prosecutions for serious ill treatment of animals.
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    Does ewe nutrition during pregnancy affect the neonatal behaviour of twin-born lambs?
    (2016) Gronqvist GV; Hickson RE; Corner-Thomas RA; Kenyon PR; Stafford KJ; Morris ST
    In this experiment the effects of feeding treatments from mid pregnancy until lambing on the behaviour of twin-bearing ewes and their lambs were investigated. Fifty seven four-year-old Romney ewes were offered a medium (1164 ± 31.6 and 819 ± 16.0 kg DM/ ha pre- and post-grazing pasture mass, respectively) or ad libitum (2181 ± 47.6 and 1431 ± 24.6 kg DM/ha pre- and post-grazing pasture mass, respectively) feeding treatment from day 76 of pregnancy until after lambing. At ear-tagging the time taken for the lambs to stand, make contact with, suck from and follow their dam was recorded. A maternal behaviour score based on the distance the ewe moved away from her lambs during tagging was also recorded. Survival analysis showed that lambs born to ewes offered the medium feeding treatment from mid pregnancy until lambing were quicker to stand, suck and follow compared with lambs born to ewes offered the ad libitum feeding treatment (P<0.05). It is unclear whether these behaviours indicate that lambs born to ewes in the medium treatment were more vigorous or that they had unmet needs that prompted the apparent increase in vigour. Ewe feeding treatments did not affect the maternal behaviour of the ewes.
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    Growth and Body Composition of Artificially-Reared Lambs Exposed to Three Different Rearing Regimens.
    (24/11/2021) Herath HMGP; Pain SJ; Kenyon PR; Blair HT; Morel PCH
    This study was designed to investigate the influence of pellet fibre level, milk replacer composition and age at weaning on growth and body composition of lambs reared artificially. Romney ram lambs were randomly allocated to one of three rearing treatments; HFP57: commercial milk replacer to 57 days of age, and high fibre concentrate pellets; HFP42: commercial milk replacer with early weaning at 42 days of age, and high fibre concentrate pellets; LFP42: high protein milk replacer from 2-16 days of age followed by commercial milk replacer with early weaning at 42 days of age, and low fibre concentrate pellets. Lambs were slaughtered at 57 days of age. Overall average daily liveweight gain of lambs did not differ (p > 0.05) between treatments. Dressing out percentage, carcass weight, empty small intestine and omental fat were higher (p < 0.05) in HFP57 than in both HFP42 and LFP42 lambs. HFP42 and LFP42 lambs had heavier (p < 0.05) empty rumen weights. Whole body protein content was higher (p < 0.05) in HFP42 lambs compared to both HFP57 and LFP42 lambs. Fat content and daily fat deposition were greater (p < 0.05) in HFP57 lambs than HFP42 and LFP42 lambs. Weaning lambs at 42 days of age with provision of either low or high fibre concentrate pellets, resulted in similar growth rates, reduced whole body fat deposition and was a more cost-effective rearing regimen.
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    The influence of age and breed of cow on colostrum indicators of suckled beef calves
    (2016) Hickson RE; Back PJ; Martin NP; Kenyon PR; Morris ST
    Rearing a calf to weaning is a key measure of performance in a beef breeding cow herd. Adequate intake of colostral antibodies by the calf in the first few hours of life is important for passive transfer of immunity, and so is beneficial for calf survival. This experiment aimed to examine the role of udder conformation, maternal age and breed-cross on the colostral status of suckled calves. Udder conformation of Angus, Angus-cross-Friesian, Angus-cross-Jersey and Angus-cross-Kiwicross cows was scored according to Animal Evaluation Limited and BreedPlan standards, and colostral status of calves was determined based on gamma glutamyltransferase activity, immunoglobulin G and total protein concentrations at 24-48 hours of age. Udder conformation was similar (P>0.05) among breed-crosses except Angus cows had looser front udder attachment, lower rear udder attachment and less desirable udders overall than Angus-cross-dairy cows (P<0.05). Most udder conformation scores did not affect colostral status of calves. The exception was teat placement score, for which more outward-pointing teats were associated with improved colostrum status of calves (P<0.05). Survival to weaning was greater for calves with adequate compared with inadequate colostral status (P<0.001).