This thesis is based on the evidence of the use of range by laying hens from two separate studies that were carried out on commercial flocks. The first study involved a direct observation of 6 flocks of laying hens whereas the second study was carried out on a single flock of laying hens using a still digital camera. Mapping of the outdoor range into three zones, namely; apron (0-10metres), enriched (10-50metres) and range (beyond 50metres), was carried out in both studies determine whether it influenced the distribution, behaviour, nearest neighbour distance (NND) and feather condition of the hens. Based on the estimates of the total number of hens recorded outdoors, it was found that 14.5% of the hens used the range in the first study, with 6.0% of the hens seen in the apron, 4.8% in the enriched and the remaining 3.7% in the outer range zone. This ranging pattern was further confirmed by the quadrat head counts, where the hens used the apron most but showed a significant decrease in the use of other outdoor zones as distance increased from the shed (p < 0.001). The results of the two studies showed that range use peaked in the morning and decreased significantly in the afternoon (p < 0.001). Range use was found to increase significantly with age (p < 0.001) in the first study, although there was a significant decrease in the number of hens outside the shed as the flocks got larger (p < 0.001). The age effect reported in the six-flock study was complemented by the significant positive effect of the week of outdoor access on the ability of the hens to use the range (p < 0.001) in the single flock study. Range use increased as outdoor temperature rose in the six-flock study whereas increased outdoor temperature resulted in a decline in range use in the single flock study. NND of the hens was ii measured in the six-flock study and was found to decrease significantly towards the shed (p < 0.001) and as the hens aged (p < 0.001). There was evidence that the use of distant and less crowded outdoor locations by the hens in the first study was associated with improved feather conditions. The evidence presented in the two studies presented in this thesis showed that the hens were unevenly distributed in the range, with reduced hen density (hen/m2) towards the outer range and that an improvement in the use of distant parts of the range may have beneficial effects on the hens.

A group of socially-housed chimpanzees, maintained in a zoo facility, were given the opportunity to access each of several purpose-designed and built enrichment items. Each item was made freely available in the chimpanzees' regular setting, with their normal activities available. The time members of the group spent engaging with each item gave an assessment of their relative preference for the items. The group were shown to have the greatest preference for a foraging enrichment item (Screwfeeder) and the least preference for an audiovisual enrichment item (TV/Video). Individual preferences for the items were evident. The chimpanzees were then taught to operate a weighted lever to get access to an item. Once all chimpanzees had operated the lever for access to the items, the number of lever operations required for access to each item was systematically doubled over a series of 3 hr sessions until the chimpanzees did not gain any access to that item for two consecutive sessions. One item was presented for two series of increases. The group response rates for an item increased with increased response requirement and then decreased with further increases, reflecting data from individuals in other research. The highest response requirement that maintained the group behaviour differed over the items. The number of times an item was accessed (consumption) was plotted against the response requirement (price) on logarithmic coordinates. Lines fitted to the data (demand functions) were shallowest for a foraging enrichment (Screwfeeder) and steepest for the audio enrichment (Musicbox). There were not enough data points to fit a function for the audiovisual enrichment. Differences in individual's demand within the group were evident. In general, the rank order of preference for the items and the rank order based on the parameters of the demand functions (slope or elasticity and initial intensity) was broadly the same. Three individual chimpanzees were exposed to two series of increasing response requirement for access to the Screwfeeder whilst housed alone, in one hour sessions. Response rates were again bitonic and the linear demand functions for these individuals were steeper (more elastic) than the functions fitted to data for group responding and differed idiosyncratically from the data for these individual when responding as part of the group. Thus the change of social setting had a different impact on the behaviour of each of the individuals. These results show that an animals‟ demand for a commodity is altered by the environment in which it is tested. ii Overall the research provides the first example of operant methodology in a zoo setting with a group of chimpanzees. It is also the first research to show differential responding for access to different enrichment items by a group and how this relates to their preference (based on time allocation) for those items.

The experience of pain is something that most people are extremely familiar with. However, once we begin to examine the subject from an ethical point of view, and particularly when we examine so-called marginal cases such as nonhuman animals, we are quickly confronted with difficult questions. This thesis, through an examination of a particular feature of moral language and a description of recent research on pain, provides an analysis of how pain fits into ethical theory. It is argued that universalizability is an important feature of ethical systems and provides a basis for claiming that an agent is acting inconsistently if he or she evaluates similar situations differently. Though the additional features prescriptivity and overridingness provide an important connection between moral judgment and action in Hare’s two-level utilitarianism, it is argued that they ultimately lead to claims incompatible with lived moral experience. Arguments by Parfit and Sidgwick are discussed which tie acting morally to acting consistently, and it is concluded that selfinterest theory is not a tenable position. After the features of moral judgment are discussed, the necessary features of a moral subject are examined. It is concluded that sentience, or the ability to feel pleasure or pain, is a sufficient condition for being a moral subject. Arguments are examined that attempt to show which animals likely consciously experience pain. Difficulties for these arguments are discussed and an original argument is presented that at least partially addresses these difficulties. It is concluded that from an ethical perspective our current practices such as factory farming are probably not justified. It appears especially likely that our treatment of other mammals is unethical, but the answers are not as clear with other animals. However, all of the conclusions are tentative, as no doubt future scientific investigation will shed more light on our knowledge.

Captive animals are sometimes very inactive, which can elicit concern for their welfare. However, inactivity is difficult to interpret in terms of welfare, since while some forms reflect chronic fear (hiding), apathy, or depression-like states, others reflect positive states (e.g. relaxation). This thesis aimed to determine whether high levels or particular sub-types of inactivity indicate poor welfare in fur-farmed mink (Neovison vison), and to identify the specific psychological states involved. These questions were addressed by studying individual differences within populations on three commercial farms, and comparing mink in standard, non-enriched cages to those in enriched cages. Two hypotheses were tested on farms: that the most inactive mink experience chronic stress, and that this would impair reproduction. Inactive females did have smaller litters, a difference that was not attributable simply to their greater body fat. However, there was no evidence of endocrine stress nor increased fear in “glove tests”, and their kits also grew more quickly. This suggests that inactive females do not experience more chronic stress than active females do. Tests of responsiveness to stimuli (measured in terms of contact and orientation) showed that, compared to mink in enriched cages, non-enriched mink were more responsive to all types of stimuli, especially neutral ones. This finding is inconsistent with the hypothesis that inactive individuals in these conditions are apathetic or depressed; instead, it supports the alternative hypothesis that non-enriched cages induce boredom. However, this boredom-like hyper-responsiveness did not co-vary with inactivity levels. Finally, non-enriched cages did not consistently elevate total inactivity. However, they did induce specific types: inactivity in the nest box, lying alert (vs. sleeping), and lying belly down rather than curled up were all more common than in enriched cages. Inactivity in the nest box may reflect hiding; it seemed linked to fearfulness in glove tests and to endocrine stress responses. In sum, while non-enriched conditions induce poor welfare, they do not increase overall inactivity; furthermore, within populations, the welfare of highly inactive individuals is no more compromised than that of their more active counterparts. However, subtypes of inactivity provide more information about welfare than total inactivity. / NSERC (PGS)

Lameness in dairy cattle is one of the primary welfare concerns in the industry. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate the use of an accelerometer for early detection of lameness, to describe the etiology and temporal changes in hoof lesion prevalence, and to assess treatments for two types of lesions that commonly cause lameness. The Pedometer Plus™ was first validated for lying behaviour and activity measurements and determined to accurately collect data on lying and on leg movement in the cow. This system was then used to determine if changes in activity and lying behaviour could be observed during presence of hoof lesions or during lameness. Lame cows decreased their activity and increased daily lying duration compared to non-lame cows. Activity, lying duration, and lying bouts were found to be altered with particular hoof lesions compared to cows without painful lesions. Lying duration was increased in periods where cows had painful lesions compared to periods when cows had no painful lesions present on their hooves. Digital dermatitis and sole ulcers were the most commonly observed painful hoof lesions. Presence of these lesions increased the odds of a cow having that lesion later in life. Additionally, the odds of developing a sole ulcer were higher in cows that had previously had hemorrhages. A randomized clinical trial compared the use of a tetracycline hydrochloride paste to use of a bandage or no treatment in digital dermatitis lesions. Lesion healing rates did not differ between the two treatments, while both were more effective than the negative control. An algometer was used to quantify pain at the lesion site and to verify decreasing pain responses between active, healing and healed lesions. The effect of therapeutic hoof block application on sound dairy cows was assessed, with lactating dairy cows randomly assigned to receive a block (n=10) or no treatment (n=10). Block application had little effect on the activity, lying behaviour and production of sound lactating dairy cattle. Application was associated with increased gait abnormality. These results provide potential dairy cattle welfare improvement through early identification and treatment of hoof lesions and lameness. / Dairy Farmers of Ontario, NSERC, OMAFRA, DairyGen, SAE Afikim

No description available.

Research on consumer perceptions towards dairy animal welfare is lacking in Canada. Though consumers are aware of animal welfare issues in other animal industries, the dairy industry remains largely ignored. This thesis employed a mail survey in order to discover the opinions of Canadians towards dairy animal welfare. Respondents answered questions about the importance of animal welfare and its relative importance in comparison to low milk prices, the current state of dairy animal welfare in Canada and how it compared to the United States and other livestock sectors, practices consumers believed to be important for proper dairy animal welfare, as well as what they would pay for animal welfare friendly milk. The results suggested Canadians believed animal welfare was important and that the Canadian dairy animal was currently acceptable. Consumers believed outdoor access and banning growth hormones were important. Finally, a majority indicated they would purchase animal welfare friendly milk.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine the links between child maltreatment and animal abuse, how these two forms of maltreatment often occur simultaneously within a family and how the existence of one maltreatment type should alert professionals to the potential for other types of harm. File reviews were completed at both Family and Children's Services of Renfrew County (FCS) and the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA), Renfrew County Branch. Data were collected on relevant variables, including maltreatment type, removal and return of children/animals, legal involvement and risk ratings. A total of 188 common files were found, representing almost 25% of OSPCA cases in a 6-year period; 48% of these cases were open at both agencies at the same time. When the files for the two agencies were merged, several statistically significant correlations were found, including: correlations between physical harm to pets and domestic violence for FCS clients; between Criminal Code charges for FCS clients and police involvement for OSPCA clients; and between removals of children from families involved with FCS and neglect of pets. These findings suggest that there is a need for cross-training and cross-reporting between child protection and animal welfare sectors to ensure better protection of both children and animals.

Pigs do naturally have a high motivation to explore their environment. In a poor environment pigs still display this motivation and when there is no stimulation in the pen, pigs direct their behavior at pen-mates and pen components. Lack of stimulation can lead to decreased welfare and increased stress. This study investigates if extra stimuli by toys would affect pigs growth, health and welfare. Growing pigs (219) were followed during 7 weeks and divided into twenty two pens, eleven with toys and eleven without toys. I found partly support for the prediction that toys would help in a short time perspective but there was no support for the prediction that in a longer run the toys (used in this experiment) would increase pigs welfare. One explanation to this might be the straw that all the pens had (by law in Sweden), which seemed to be the most importuned component for satisfying pigs behavioral needs.