Behaviour Of Domestic Animals Research Articles

Neuropeptides as facilitators of domestication.

Animal domestication was an important stage in the human history, which coincided with or probably even promoted the advent of a turning point at which part of the humankind switched from hunting and gathering to husbandry. The leading factor in evolutionary changes at the dawn of domestication was probably selection for behavior towards humans: first natural (as the animals were habituating to a new ecological niche close to humans), then nonconscious, artificial. Selection was supposed to work on the systems that regulate behavior by reducing stress response and aggression and by inducing an emotionally positive response to humans. A possible role of the neuropeptides adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), oxytocin (ОТ), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and their receptors is in the reduction in stress response and in the shaping of domestic behavior. Effects of oxytocin on the behavior of domestic animals have been actively explored in the last 10years, with special focus on the dog. The results obtained so far suggest that this neuropeptide is substantially important for human-canine interactions, together with sex, amount of aggression experienced, and other factors. The study of AVP demonstrated its importance in aggression in domestic animals. This work lends support to the hypothesis that a substantial factor in the shaping of domestic behavior and in the reduction in stress-response might be selection for an enhanced activity of the central OT system and a reduced activity of the central AVP system, which have effects on ACTH and social behavior.

Naturalness and Animal Welfare.

Simple SummaryMany people feel that we should ensure that animals have natural lives and can perform natural behaviours. However, it is unclear what exactly we mean by ‘natural’ and how we can assess it scientifically. We might use naturalness to highlight possible suffering that needs looking into, as a rule of thumb about what is good for animals, and to establish a threshold for what is acceptable or unacceptable in how we affect animals. We can assess animals’ naturalness in terms of how similar they are to their closest wild counterparts, both in scientific assessments and in decisions about how we care for animals.Naturalness is considered important for animals, and is one criterion for assessing how we care for them. However, it is a vague and ambiguous term, which needs definition and assessments suitable for scientific and ethical questions. This paper makes a start on that aim. This paper differentiates the term from other related concepts, such as species-typical behaviour and wellbeing. It identifies contingent ways in which naturalness might be used, as: (i) prompts for further welfare assessment; (ii) a plausible hypothesis for what safeguards wellbeing; (iii) a threshold for what is acceptable; (iv) constraints on what improvements are unacceptable; and (v) demarcating what is not morally wrong, because of a lack of human agency. It then suggests an approach to evaluating animals’ behaviour that is quantitative, is based on reality, and which assesses naturalness by degrees. It proposes classing unaffected wild populations as natural by definition. Where animals might have been affected by humans, they should be compared to the closest population(s) of unaffected animals. This approach could allow us both to assess naturalness scientifically, and to make practical decisions about the behaviour of domestic animals.

Automatic Recognition of Flock Behavior of Chickens with Convolutional Neural Network and Kinect Sensor

In this paper, we propose an automatic convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method to recognize the chicken behavior within a poultry farm using a Kinect sensor. It resolves the hardships in flock behavior image classification by leveraging a data-driven mechanism and exploiting non-manually extracted multi-scale image features which combine both the local and global characteristics of the image. To our best knowledge, this is probably the first attempt of deep learning strategy in the field of domestic animal behavior recognition. To testify the performance of our proposed method, we conducted experiments between state-of-the-art methods and our method. Experimental results witness that our proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art methods both in effectiveness and efficiency. Our proposed CNN architecture for recognizing flock behavior of chickens produces an extremely impressive accuracy of 99.17%.

The study of the behavior of domestic animals: From aristotle through darwin to today

Over the past 50 years, biomedical research has established a strong linkage between psychosocial stress and disease risk in humans, which has transformed the understanding of stress and the role it plays in human lives. This research has led to personalized medicine where a reduction in daily life stress is a main goal for many people with debilitating illnesses. This review describes the supporting evidence that social stress also plays a critical role in farm animal disease prevention, and may be a mediator by which common management practices can increase disease risk.There is evidence that social factors, including deprivation of social contact (‘social isolation’), reducing space allowance (‘crowding’) and disturbing social order (‘social instability’) trigger physiological and behavioral indicators of stress in livestock. Less research exists, however, linking management practices that trigger social stress with higher disease risk. Suggestions are offered for future research opportunities, and practical, evidence-based recommendations are made for reducing the negative effects of social isolation, instability and crowding. The current evidence that social factors contribute to disease risk in farm animals is not as convincing as the human literature, but remains a promising and important area for future research.

Principles and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior. By Edward O. Price. Wallingford (United Kingdom) and Cambridge (Massachusetts): CABI Publishing. $59.95 (paper). ix + 332 p.; ill.; index. 978‐1‐84593‐398‐2. 2008.

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksPrinciples and Applications of Domestic Animal Behavior. By Edward O. Price. Wallingford (United Kingdom) and Cambridge (Massachusetts): CABI Publishing. $59.95 (paper). ix + 332 p.; ill.; index. 978‐1‐84593‐398‐2. 2008.John WebsterJohn WebsterClinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom Search for more articles by this author Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United KingdomPDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 84, Number 4December 2009 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/648157 Views: 46Total views on this site © 2009 by The University of Chicago Press. All rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Domestic animal behaviour and welfare

Domestic animal behaviour and welfare

Intensity and duration of corticosterone response to stressful situations in Japanese quail divergently selected for tonic immobility

Two genotypes of Japanese quail have been divergently selected since the 1980s for long (LTI) or short (STI) duration of tonic immobility [Mills, A.D., Faure, J.M., 1991. Divergent selection for duration of tonic immobility and social reinstatement behavior in Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks. J. Comp. Psychol. 105(1), 25–38.], an unlearnt catatonic state characteristic of a behavioral fear response ([Jones, R.B., 1986. The tonic immobility reaction of the domestic fowl: a review. World’s Poult. Sci. J. 42(1), 82–97.]; [Mills, A.D., Faure, J.M., 1991. Divergent selection for duration of tonic immobility and social reinstatement behavior in Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks. J. Comp. Psychol. 105(1), 25–38.]). The results of several behavioral tests conducted in LTI and STI quail have led to the conclusion that LTI quail are more fearful than STI quail [Faure, J.M., Mills, A.D., 1998. Improving the adaptability of animals by selection. In: Grandin, T. (Eds.), Genetics and the behavior of domestic animals. Academic Press, San Diego, pp. 235–264.]). However, few studies to date have focused on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis response to stressful situations in LTI and STI quail, although the HPA axis is involved in fear responses [Siegel, H.S., 1971. Adrenals, Stress and the Environment. World’s Poult. Sci. J. 27, 327–349.]. The corticosterone (CORT) response to various putatively stressful situations was therefore assessed in LTI and STI genotypes of quail in order to investigate their HPA axis reactivity to stress. Repeated induction of TI or 1 min manual restraint induced significant and comparable increases in CORT levels in both genotypes as a TI response. On the other hand, higher CORT responses were found in STI than in LTI quail when the manual restraint period lasted for 2 min or after restraint in a crush cage. Maximum CORT responses and genotype differences were maintained throughout the latter test even when it lasted for 120 min. Investigation of the CORT response to a single TI episode showed that CORT levels at the end of TI were negatively correlated with TI duration. Other experimental contexts consisting of isolation in a familiar or novel environment or the presentation of a novel object induced slight but significant and comparable increases in CORT response in both genotypes, whereas change of cagemates did not. In conclusion, the present findings indicate that differences in HPA axis response are observed between LTI and STI genotypes when quail are submitted to intense stressors, resulting in a high and prolonged CORT response. By contrast, plasma corticosterone concentrations do not differ between STI and LTI quail in response to stressful situations of lower intensity, which evoke responses limited in amplitude and duration. Genetic selection for divergent duration of TI has thus affected the HPA axis response to stress, and LTI and STI quail constitute an interesting model to investigate genetic variability of HPA axis activity in birds. More specifically, these genotypes of quail could be used to investigate the occurrence of functional differences at different levels of the HPA axis in order to explain the present findings.

Sexual behavior of male pigs

Two major characteristics of males that affect the likelihood of achieving copulation are the sexual motivation and mating competency of the male. The behavior of domestic animals, including their sexual behavior, is dependent upon a complex interaction between the organism's internal and external environment. In male pigs, as in other mammalian species, it is clear that testicular steroids are required to maintain sexual behavior and testosterone plays a critical role. Consistent with studies in other species, it is apparent in male pigs that there is a threshold circulating concentration of androgens and/or estrogens required to maintain sexual behavior and that the level of sexual motivation is unrelated to levels of sex steroids providing these are adequate for normal sexual behavior. Key aspects of the external environment that affect the sexual behavior of the male pig include genetic, seasonal, social, sexual and psychological factors.

Pheromone application in prevention and therapy of domestic animal behavioral disorder

This review-type paper presents the latest knowledge on pheromone therapy. Pheromone therapy does not imply merely the use of structural analogues of pheromones in therapy, but also in the prevention of behavioral disorders in domestic animals. Their application is induced in all cases in which the effects of stressors are expected and their negative effect on the health condition, welfare and production results of domestic animals. Structural analogues of pheromones can successfully be applied in the prevention and therapy of behavioral disorders in horses, swine, dogs, and cats. Recent investigations have confirmed that structural analogues of semiochemicals exert a positive effect also on the production results and meat quality of broilers. They realize their therapeutic and preventive effect on the behavior of domestic animals through the stabilization of the emotional state, relaxation, and calming the animals that are disturbed, or could become disturbed due to the effect of stressors.

Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists

Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists

Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. Katherine Albro Houpt

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksDomestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists. Katherine Albro Houpt Benjamin L. HartBenjamin L. Hart Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 76, Number 3Sep., 2001 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/394049 Views: 3Total views on this site Copyright 2001 The University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Genetics and the behavior of domestic animals

Genetics and the behavior of domestic animals

Genetics and the Behaviour of Domestic Animals

Genetics and the Behaviour of Domestic Animals

Effects of supplementary feed and competition with Cambridge ewes on the browsing behaviour of Welsh Mountain sheep

Trees and shrubs play an important role in increasing feed supplies to animal production in many tropical systems. These feeds sources can be browsed directly by animals or can be cut and carried (Ivory, 1989). Understanding the behaviour of domestic animals is an important tool in improving their management and production (Malechek and Provenza, 1983). An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of between-breed competition on the browsing behaviour of Welsh Mountain sheep, with alternative sources of supplementary feed using Cambridge ewes as the competing breed.

Effects of supplementary feed and competition with Cambridge ewes on the browsing behaviour of Welsh Mountain sheep

Trees and shrubs play an important role in increasing feed supplies to animal production in many tropical systems. These feeds sources can be browsed directly by animals or can be cut and carried (Ivory, 1989). Understanding the behaviour of domestic animals is an important tool in improving their management and production (Malechek and Provenza, 1983). An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of between-breed competition on the browsing behaviour of Welsh Mountain sheep, with alternative sources of supplementary feed using Cambridge ewes as the competing breed.

Backgrounds of students of behavior in relation to their attitude toward animal well-being

Knowledge of the backgrounds of students of behaviour working in the field of applied animal behavior science may help us to recognize their influence on conclusions reached in a particular study and on more general points of view. This recognition may result in a speed up of the progress in this science, to the benefit of science and animals. Some types are: (1) Eco-ethologists (ethologists of the hunters-type). They like to stalk healthy wild animals in their natural environment. They are less interested in the abnormal behavior of domestic animals under husbandry circumstances. (2) Behaviorists. These are psychologists that still think in a man-animal dichotomy. They are not interested in animals for their own sake but as models for human behavior. (3) Behavior physiologists. These biologists are not primarily interested in behavior. Because of the type of experiments they perform they have an aversity against animal protectionists. (4) Ethologists of the farmers type. These ethologists want to posses animals, collect animal species, take care of them and breed them. They are able to speak on approximately the same wavelength as farmers as well as animal protectionists. (5) Zootechnicians of the farmers type. These scientists want to make a living out of animals and like to take care for them. They are also able to speak at approximately the same wavelength as farmers and animal protectionists.

The Behavior of Domestic Animals

The Behavior of Domestic Animals

家畜行動学の概観

家畜行動学の概観

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:Domestic Animal Behavior for Veterinarians and Animal Scientists K. A. Houpt and T. R. Wolski.A Standard Guide to Pure Bred Dogs Edited by H. Glover.A Standard Guide to Cat Breeds Edited by G. Pond and I. Raleigh.Diseases of the Reptilia, Two volumes Edited by J. E. Cooper and O. F. Jackson.Dog and Cat Nutrition. A handbook for students, veterinarians, breeders and owners Edited by A. T. B. Edney.Poultry Diseases, 2nd Edn R. F. Gordon and F. T. W. Jordan.Genetics for Dog Breeders R. Robinson.Advances in Veterinary Virology. Refresher course for veterinarians (1982) Edited by M. Sabine.Canine Dermatoses, Review No. 21 J. M. Keep.Black's Veterinary Dictionary, 14th Edn Edited by G. P. West.Non‐infectious Diseases of Wildlife Edited by G. L. Hoff and J. W. Davis.

Social relationships in domestic cattle under modern management techniques

Abstract For domestic animals, modern management technics lead to a way of life very different from the natural one. Generally, animals adapt without great difficulty. Nevertheless in several cases, precise studies have shown that certain problems arise particularly due to social relationships. As a result production is reduced (in growth rate, in milk yield…). The study of the behaviour of domestic animals, and especially of their social relationships, is an essential prerequisite to the development of rational management technics which take into account the demands of the various species. In domestic cattle, the detailed study of the mechanism of interindividual relationships (dominance, affiliative relationships) allows us to propose solutions to specific management problems.