Feeding Stations Research Articles

Communication Interventions and Assessment of Drivers for Hendra Virus Vaccination Uptake.

Hendra virus disease (HeVD) is an emerging zoonosis in Australia, resulting from the transmission of Hendra virus (HeV) to horses from Pteropus bats. Vaccine uptake for horses is low despite the high case fatality rate of HeVD in both horses and people. We reviewed evidence-based communication interventions to promote and improve HeV vaccine uptake for horses by horse owners and conducted a preliminary evaluation of potential drivers for HeV vaccine uptake using the Behavioural and Social Drivers of Vaccination (BeSD) framework developed by the World Health Organization. Six records were eligible for review following a comprehensive search and review strategy of peer-reviewed literature, but evidence-based communication interventions to promote and improve HeV vaccine uptake for horses were lacking. An evaluation of potential drivers for HeV vaccine uptake using the BeSD framework indicated that horse owners' perceptions, beliefs, social processes, and practical issues are similar to those experienced by parents making decisions about childhood vaccines, although the overall motivation to vaccinate is lower amongst horse owners. Some aspects of HeV vaccine uptake are not accounted for in the BeSD framework (for example, alternative mitigation strategies such as covered feeding stations or the zoonotic risk of HeV). Overall, problems associated with HeV vaccine uptake appear well-documented. We, therefore, propose to move from a problems-focused to a solutions-focused approach to reduce the risk of HeV for humans and horses. Following our findings, we suggest that the BeSD framework could be modified and used to develop and evaluate communication interventions to promote and improve HeV vaccine uptake by horse owners, which could have a global application to promote vaccine uptake for other zoonotic diseases in animals, such as rabies.

Temporal avoidance as a means of reducing competition between sympatric species.

Human activity has modified the availability of natural resources and the abundance of species that rely on them, potentially changing interspecific competition dynamics. Here, we use large-scale automated data collection to quantify spatio-temporal competition among species with contrasting population trends. We focus on the spatial and temporal foraging behaviour of subordinate marsh tits Poecile palustris among groups of socially and numerically dominant blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus and great tits Parus major. The three species exploit similar food resources in mixed groups during autumn-winter. Using 421 077 winter recordings of individually marked birds at 65 automated feeding stations in Wytham Woods (Oxfordshire, UK), we found that marsh tits were less likely to join larger groups of heterospecifics, and they accessed food less frequently in larger groups than in smaller ones. Marsh tit numbers within groups declined throughout the diurnal and winter periods, while the number of blue and great tits increased. However, sites that attracted larger groups of these heterospecifics also attracted more marsh tits. The results suggest that subordinate species exhibit temporal avoidance of socially and numerically dominant heterospecifics, but have limited ability for spatial avoidance, indicating that behavioural plasticity enables only a partial reduction of interspecific competition.

Thermoregulatory costs of the innate immune response are modulated by winter food availability in a small passerine.

In winter, a challenge to the immune system could pose a major energetic trade-off for small endotherms, whereby increasing body temperature (Tb ; i.e. eliciting fever) may be beneficial to fight off invading pathogens yet incur a cost for vital energy-saving mechanisms. Having previously shown that the availability and acquisition of energy, through manipulation of food predictability, influences the depth of rest-phase hypothermia in a wild bird in winter, we expected that the nocturnal thermoregulatory component of the acute-phase immune response would also be modulated by food availability. By manipulating winter food availability in the wild for great tits Parus major, we created an area offering a "predictable" and constant supply of food at feeding stations, while an unmanipulated area was subject to naturally "unpredictable" food. Birds were subject to an immune challenge shortly after dusk, and the thermoregulatory response was quantified via continuous recording of nocturnal Tb , using subcutaneous thermo-sensitive transponders. In response to immune challenge, all birds increased Tb above the level maintained prior to immune challenge (i.e. baseline). However, birds experiencing a naturally unpredictable food supply elevated Tb more than birds subject to predictable food resources, during the period of expected peak response and for the duration of the night. Furthermore, "unpredictable-food" females took longer to return to their baseline Tb . Assuming baseline nocturnal Tb reflects an individual's optimum, based on their available energy budget, the metabolic cost of eliciting an acute-phase response for "unpredictable-food" birds was more than double that of "predictable-food" birds. The absence of differences in absolute Tb during the peak response could support the idea of an optimal Tb for immune system activation. Alternatively, "predictable-food" birds could have acquired tolerance to endotoxin as a result of using feeding stations, thus affording them reduced costs associated with a smaller Tb increase. These findings shed new light on the trade-offs associated with food acquisition, thermoregulation and immune function in small-bodied endotherms. This knowledge is of increasing importance, given the predicted elevated pathogen risks associated with changes in climate and anthropogenic activities.

Can vulture feeding stations have detrimental effects on Iberian Lynx conservation?

Can vulture feeding stations have detrimental effects on Iberian Lynx conservation?

A lifetime track of a griffon vulture: The moving story of Rehovot (Y64).

A lifetime track of a griffon vulture: The moving story of Rehovot (Y64).

Coordinated Operation of Fixed-Route and Demand-Responsive Feeder Transit Services in a Travel Corridor

With the wide use of smartphone travel apps, a new hybrid transit system (HTS) that integrates fixed-route transit (FRT) and app-based demand-responsive feeder transit (DRFT) services have recently emerged in many cities over the world. App-based DRFT services are coordinated with FRT to offer fast, comfortable, and well-connected mobility services to travelers. The study investigates a new variant of HTS, termed flexible HTS (FHTS), allowing FRT to have flexible vehicle departure times and capacitated vehicle loads and DRFT to have flexible feeder stations, so as to further enhance the coordination between FRT and DRFT. The coordinated operation optimization problem of such an FHTS in a travel corridor is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming model. A novel hybrid metaheuristic algorithm is developed to solve it. In the hybrid algorithm, a constrained compass search method is used to optimize FRT vehicle departure times, and an adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm, coupled with a tailored forward time slack algorithm, is applied to solve the DRFT routing and scheduling problems. A case study in Shucheng County, China is conducted to examine the performance of the model and solution algorithms. Sensitivity analyses on feeder station layout and vehicle size are also conducted. The results show that flexible FRT vehicle departure times and flexible DRFT feeder stations have a great potential of enhancing the coordination of FRT and DRFT services by reducing operators’ costs and passengers’ total travel time. Managerial implications are to set feeder transit stations downstream of an FRT line and to keep a reasonable station spacing.

Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses.

Automated feeding systems offer numerous advantages for animals and humans, but the associated benefits and risks can often only be seen under practical conditions. The space allowance (~80 cm per horse) at time-controlled hay racks for horses in group housing, unlike at partitioned feeding stands or transponder-controlled feed stations, currently falls below the required individual distance between the horses, which can result in a high level of aggression between the horses due to the lack of partitions between them. Hence, a feed-through at a time-controlled hay rack cannot be equated with a feeding place. In this preliminary study, we therefore aimed to determine the minimum animal-to-feeding-place ratio (AFR) at time-controlled hay racks that would provide adequate individual distances between the horses. To do so, we assessed behavioral and physiological parameters (via video behavioral observations and salivary cortisol measurements) of up to 28 horses in a loose housing system. Over 2 observation days per treatment, four AFRs were investigated in a balanced sequence: 1:1.2, 1:2, 1:3, and C (single feeding in familiar surroundings as a control). We found that the horses expressed less aggressive behavior, especially those behaviors with a high risk of injury such as biting and kicking, when there were three times as many openings as there were horses at time-controlled hay racks, as compared with only 20% more openings or twice as many openings as there were horses [lineal mixed model: F (3, 4) = 7.411; adjusted R 2 = 0.733; p (AFR_1:2) = 0.06, p (AFR_1:3) = 0.02, p (AFR_C) = 0.01]. The salivary cortisol levels during feeding decreased more strongly with more generous AFRs [p (AFR_metric) = 0.02]. The factors hierarchy and individual showed no influence. In contrast, the day of the experiment and the associated weather conditions, despite randomized selection, influenced both the behavioral and the physiological parameters. The results of this preliminary study indicate that the investigated time-controlled hay racks must provide at least three times as many feeding places as there are horses to ensure that neighboring horses can keep their individual distance and stress-free feeding is possible. Further studies on more farms and different types as well as arrangement of hay racks are proposed.

Крупные хищные птицы в заповеднике «Нургуш», Кировская область, Россия

Крупные хищные птицы в заповеднике «Нургуш», Кировская область, Россия

Bird community structure and habitat association in Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ashanti Region (Ghana)

Context Globally, an estimated 1.3% of the bird species have gone extinct over the past millennia, largely owing to habitat loss. Aims This study investigated bird–habitat associations and assemblages in the Owabi Ramsar wetland. Methods The study was conducted over 5 months (May–September 2019) in four habitat types (agricultural land, built-up, forest reserve, and open-water area). Data were collected in 84 plots across four habitats (i.e. built-up area = 25, forest reserve = 25, agricultural land = 25 and open-water area = 9 plots), using a point-count technique. The Gambin model, non-metric multidimensional scaling, Chao-1, and Hill numbers models were used to evaluate differences in bird diversity and composition among the habitat types. Key results In all, 1260 individual birds, belonging to 81 species, were encountered. Many of the species occurred in the forest habitat (n = 46, 56.8%. Species from the agricultural land (n = 37) and built-up (n = 30) were mainly habitat generalists that used these two habitats as their shared feeding station. Bird–habitat specialisation grouping equally showed the forest specialists to be the highest (n = 23, 38.4%), whereas the open water had the least number of habitat specialisation associations (e.g. white-faced whistling duck, n = 20, 24.7%). Five species were widely distributed in all four habitats (e.g. bronze-mannikins and white-throated bee-eaters), indicating their broad habitat preferences and ability to adapt to varied conditions. The forest reserve tended to be the most diverse, which was likely mediated by factors such as nesting microhabitats, varied food availability, and human-led activities. Conclusions This study highlighted bird dietary structure and associated habitat type and bird-habitat specialisation in four different land-use types at Owabi Ramsar wetland. Implications Given the increasing level of disturbance, there is the likelihood that the population of forest-dependent and open water-dependent birds will be lost or will have to change or modify their behaviour to be similar to that of open-tolerant or open-country birds if managers of the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary fail to implement the recommended management interventions highlighted.

Differences in ingestive behavior between grazing goats and sheep at the bite scale.

This study aimed to clarify the differences in ingestive behavior between goats and sheep at the bite scale. Animals were allowed to graze a feeding station of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) with two sward heights (short and tall) to two levels of bite depletion (20 and 40 bites). Ingestive behavior variables, which represent the rate and mass of bites and chews, intake rate, bite dimensions, and bite placement characteristics, were quantified. The interspecies difference in ingestive behavior became obvious at the short sward. Goats reduced the inter-bite distance and maintained bite overlapping but took deeper bites than sheep at the short sward, resulting in slightly greater bite mass. These behavioral changes with efficient chewing may be helpful to maintain the intake rate at the short sward. Sheep maintained their inter-bite distance regardless of the sward height and decreased overlapping bites at the short sward. These behavioral characteristics in sheep in response to sward height may partly compensate for the decrease in the bite mass at the short sward, although it may not always maintain the intake rate. Thus, the present study suggests that goats and sheep implement different bite scale ingestive behaviors, including bite placement, when they eat short swards.

ИЗМЕНЧИВОСТЬ БИОХИМИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ КРОВИ СВИНЕЙ ПОРОДЫ ДЮРОК НА ОСНОВЕ МОДЕЛИ СМЕШАННОГО УРАВНЕНИЯ

Our article presents the biochemical parameters of the blood of Duroc pigs, obtained by the classical approach. We used the results of a biochemical blood test of 78 clinically healthy boars undergoing test fattening at automatic feed stations, at the age of 5 months, with an average live weight of about 100 kg. The main biochemical parameters (creatinine, urea, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, glucose, total bilirubin) were studied and genetic and phenotypic correlations were calculated using the RENUMF90, REMLF90 programs.

Taste agents as modulators of the feeding behaviour of grazing yaks in alpine meadows

Feeding behaviour plays a significant role in promoting good animal health and welfare. It is also reflective of the quality and quantity of available feed. In fact, grazing livestock do not select their feed randomly, rather their behaviour is influenced by the texture, taste, and smell of each pasture species. Although taste agents are often used to modify feed intake for captive livestock, the effect on the feeding behaviour of grazing livestock has not yet been extensively evaluated in native grasslands. To address this gap in knowledge, herein, we sprayed three types of taste agents—salty (SA), sweet (SW), and bitter (BT)—on alpine meadows to investigate their effect on the grazing behaviour of yaks (Bos Grunniens) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Behavioural observations showed that grazing was concentrated primarily in the morning and afternoon, while ruminating/resting peaked at noon; however, the diurnal behavioural patterns of grazing yaks were not affected by the taste agents. Application of the SA agent significantly increased the yaks’ grazing time, bites per minute, bites per step, time per feeding station, and steps per feeding station, while significantly reducing walking time, steps per minute, and number of feeding stations per minute. Meanwhile, application of the SW agent significantly increased the yaks’ time per feeding station, however, significantly reduced the steps per minute and number of feeding stations per minute. In contrast, the BT agent significantly increased the yaks’ walking time, steps per minute, and number of feeding stations per minute, while significantly reducing grazing time, bites per minute, bites per step, and time per feeding station. Application of the SA agent also significantly increased the intake of favoured, edible, and inedible forage, while the SW agent improved inedible forage intake, however, had a more subtle effect on favoured and edible forage intake. Meanwhile, the BT agent had an inhibitory effect on grazing intake. Hence, the structural equation model suggested that taste agents may directly or indirectly influence grazing behaviour by regulating feeding behaviour. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for using taste agents in grasslands to control the grazing behaviour of livestock and provide a method to promote the stability of grassland communities, while mitigating the degradation of grasslands in the QTP.

Using computer vision, image analysis and UAVs for the automatic recognition and counting of common cranes (Grus grus)

Long-term monitoring of wildlife numbers traditionally uses observers, which are frequently inefficient and inaccurate due to their variable experience/training, are costly and difficult to sustain over time. Furthermore, there are other inhibiting factors for wildlife counting, such as: inhabiting inaccessible areas, fear of humans, and nocturnal behavior. There is a need to develop new technologies that will automatically identify and count wild animals in order to determine the appropriate management protocol. In this study, an advanced and accurate method for automatically calculating the number of cranes (Grus grus), using thermal cameras at night and visible light (RGB) cameras during the day onboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), based on image analysis and computer vision, was developed. The cranes congregate at night in a large communal roost, making it possible to count the birds while they are relatively static and all together. Each bird was counted individually by creating a standardized tool to determine population numbers for management, using image analysis and automatic processing. A dedicated algorithm was developed that aimed to identify the cranes based on their spectral characteristics (typical temperature, shape, size) and to effectively separate the cranes from the typical background. The automatic segmentation and counting of roosting common cranes using UAV nighttime thermal images had an Overall Accuracy (OA) of 91.47%, User's Accuracy (UA) of 99.68%, and Producer's Accuracy (PA) of 91.74%. The computer vision and machine learning algorithm based on the YOLO v3 platform of daytime RGB UAV images of common cranes at the feeding station yielded an overall loss accuracy level of 2.25%, with a mean square error of 1.87, OA of 94.51%, UA of 99.91%, PA of 94.59%. These results are highly encouraging, and although the algorithms were developed for the purpose of counting cranes, they could be adapted for other counting purposes for wildlife management.

Detection of Cut Notches and Corrosion on Anchor Bolts

The overhead catenary system (OCS) comprises of the pantograph which presses against the underside of the lowest overhead wire or the contact wire. Current collectors are electrically conductive and allow current to flow through to the train and back to the feeder station through the steel wheels on one or both running rails. With water seepage due to occurrence of monsoon rain and porosity of the cement material, the mineral rich rock structure can undergo much more rapid degradation under an electrochemical process due to the potential of the OCS. SEM images of the corroded bolts segment show high porosity surface with corroded voids. EDX study shows the presence of high oxide, chloride, and iron elements as indicative of a corroded bolt. The first backwall echo of the ultrasonic peak amplitude provides an understanding of the length of a bolt. Comparative study can provide a signature of the bolts which have been corroded with less fringe peaks due to the presence of bolts’ threads which tends to wear out with the duration of corrosion. Fatigue cracks are mimicked and modelled with cut notches of varying depths on bolts followed by immersion in corrosive peroxide solution for accelerated corrosion. A good clear distinction of the presence of such peak signal amplitudes due to cut notches with the referenced backwall echo peaks of the corroded bolts could be registered by the ultrasonic tests. The height of the signal peak amplitudes could give an indication of the depth of cut at the notch and the quantity of such peaks provide an indication of the number of cut notches. The ultrasonic test provides an effective means for non-destructive testing of such bolts which are embedded in concretized underground tunnel.

Cleansing data from an electronic feeding station to improve estimation of feed efficiency

Electronic feeding stations (EFS) are frequently used to automatically record feeding behaviour in pigs, but the resulting data often require cleansing. In this study, several filters were used to cleanse the data from an EFS on a commercial farm, spanning a period of 2147 days (2,709,600 records or visits, corresponding to 2748 pigs). The raw data of each animal was filtered based on three main parameters: fattening duration, feed ingested and live mass. Anomalies that affected EFS readings included aspects related to animal handling (e.g., changes of pen, deaths; affecting 26.1%), maintenance failures (e.g., obstructions, feed mass calibration; affecting 4.4%) and malfunctioning of the animal weighing scale (e.g., calibration, anomalies in the load cell; affecting 10.6%). A detailed analysis of the mass curves of each animal helped identify and categorise three typical errors: 1) large fluctuations of animal mass over a short period of time (affecting 7.3%); 2) poor calibration of the animal weighing scale (affecting 3.3%); and 3) absence of data from the weighing scale (affecting 1.9%). Once the raw data were filtered, feed efficiency was calculated, resulting in a mean value of 0.434, which is consistent with the literature. After filtering the first dataset, another dataset was used from the same farm to validate the results, with similar findings. Overall, the filtering methodology used helped to automate data analysis from EFS and improved the estimation of feeding efficiencies for individual animals. • EFS are frequently used to automatically record feed intake and mass of pigs. • An automated data cleansing process was developed to eliminate anomalous EFS data. • Anomalies were related to animal handling and weighing scale malfunctioning. • Data cleansing process produced reliable individual feed efficiency estimations.

Confluence and Implications of Cats, Coyotes, and Other Mesopredators at a Feral Cat Feeding Station

Abstract Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is promoted as a “humane” alternative to lethal methods for population control of feral domestic cats (Felis catus). This paper explores feedbacks between feral domestic cats, coyotes (Canis latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and skunks (Mephitis mephitis) at a TNR feral cat colony in Rhode Island, USA. A total of 12,272 photographs from a motion-activated camera were analyzed. Cat population size and visitation frequency of wildlife were estimated during three different feeding regimes. Abundant food on the ground was associated with increased wildlife visits, while elevated or limited food was associated with decreased wildlife visits. During the two-year study period, the population of cats dropped from 17 to 12 individuals and the cats appeared to have short life spans, which could have been due to predation by coyotes. Our results suggest that wildlife confluence and predation risks can be influenced by feeding regime.

Propionibacteriaium acidipropionici CP 88 Dose Alters In Vivo and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics

Twelve 5-year-old beef steers, with an average weight of 2000 lbs., fitted with rumen canulae were used in a 4 × 4 incomplete Latin square design to examine the impact of the direct fed microbial Propionibacterium acidipropionici CP 88 (PA) on rumen fermentation characteristics, in vitro CH4, CO2, and N2 production, and in vivo CH4 and CO2 production. All steers were housed in the same pen equipped with eight GrowSafe feeding stations to monitor individual animal feed intake and one GreenFeed System to estimate individual animal CH4 and CO2 production. Steers were fed a corn-silage-based diet throughout the experiment. Treatments consisted of PA administered at: (1) control (0.0); (2) 1.0 × 108; (3) 1.0 × 109; and (4) 1.0 × 1010 cfu∙animal−1∙day (d)−1. Treatments were administered directly into the rumen as a single bolus dose daily. On day 7 and 14 of each period, rumen fluid was collected from each steer 2 h post treatment administration for VFA analysis and in vitro DM digestibility determination. Following a 14 d washout period, animal treatments were switched and the experiment repeated until the 4 × 4 Latin square was complete. In vivo propionic acid molar proportions and total VFA concentrations were greater (p < 0.05) in steers receiving PA when compared with controls. All other in vivo rumen fermentation characteristics were similar across treatments. In vitro DM disappearance (p < 0.05) and total VFA (p < 0.05) were greater and CH4 lesser (p < 0.04) in fermentation vessels incubated with rumen fluid from animals receiving PA when compared with controls. Dry matter disappearance (p < 0.03) and propionic acid molar proportions increased (p < 0.04) linearly as the dose of PA increased. In vitro total VFA tended (p < 0.08) to increase linearly and CH4 production per unit of DM digested tended (p < 0.09) to decrease quadratically in response to PA dose. All other in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics were similar across treatments. These data indicate that PA impacts in vivo and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics.

Племенная ценность кормового поведения свиней

Abstract. The purpose of the research is to develop a comprehensive assessment system with new indicators of feed behavior and feed conversion in Duroc pigs based on a selection index. Research methods. The Herdsman database was used, which includes the processing of data on fattening characteristics and feeding behavior of 764 heads of Duroc pigs that have passed test fattening at automatic feeding stations. 13 indicators were evaluated, of which 7 indicators of feeding behavior and 6 – fattening characteristics. The evaluation of breeding value animals according to studied traits was carried out using the BLUP Animal Model methodology. Results. When determining the weight coefficients of final index equation, which included all the studied traits, we relied on the chosen principle, according to which 50 % was given to weight coefficients of feeding behavior traits and 50 % to the weights of the fattening indicators. Also, in accordance with this principle, in feeding behavior indicators, 25 % was allocated for feed conversion, and the same amount in fattening indicators – for the average daily weight gain. The obtained values of the coefficients presented the general structure of the selection index: Itotal = 0.5I1 + 0.5I2 = 0.0241 (TPD) + 0.0439 (ADFI) – 0.0376 (NVD) – 0.0322 (TPV) – 0.0074 (FR) + 0.0376 (FPV) – 0.5343 (FCR) + 0.0531 (Age1) + 0.0778 (Age0) + 0.1217 (BW1) + 0.1027 (BW0) + 0.0331 (BWG) + 0.4557 (ADG). The results obtained showed the difference between the minimum and maximum index, which was 76 sigma points. Also, according to distribution according the categories of RBV (relative breeding value) among 14 pigs with an index greater than 120 units, 30.8 % have the category “unconditional improver” and 25.8 % – the category “improver”. Scientific novelty. These results show the direct impact of feeding behavior and feed conversion on the refinement of animal’s genetic potential, which will improve the system of selection and genomic evaluation of animals.

Learning, health and productivity of group-housed sows conditioned to signal-feeding under realistic husbandry conditions

Signal-feeding is a discrimination task for pigs where individual acoustic signals indicate the availability of feed at an electronic feeding station. It has been shown that this feeding technique has the potential to reduce agonistic interactions between pigs and improve animal welfare. As a side effect, signal-feeding was found to facilitate the accessibility of the feeding stations. Therefore, this feeding system may have the potential to improve the pigs’ overall feed supply and productivity. Signal-feeding has been successfully adapted for use with adult sows at conventional electronic feeding stations and was tested under near-practical conditions. The present field study was conducted to test the applicability of signal-feeding under the realistic conditions of a conventional piglet rearing facility. The aim was to verify that sows can cope with the signal discrimination task under the limitations of intensive livestock farming which comprises large groups with high feed concurrence and only one training opportunity per day. Furthermore, the study should confirm any positive effects on the animals’ health and welfare and, for the first time, substantiate the economic viability of signal-feeding by demonstrating a reduced workload and increased productivity compared to conventional electronic feeding stations.As a main result of the study, we observed that a single training opportunity per day and training in groups of more than 30 sows resulted in a training duration that ranged from 12 to 38 days for the majority of sows. The liquid feeding system utilised was found to be inadequate for reward delivery. It left feed remains on the station floor and could not provide the feed reward in sufficiently close temporal relation to the animal behaviour. The feed remains in combination with the somewhat random reward delivery created sufficient motivation for some sows to continue visiting the feeding station. As a result, no improvements in the accessibility of the feeder were observed. Under these conditions, we did not find any effects on the productivity of the sows in terms of the number of piglets born alive or the number of weak or crushed piglets. However, the training itself led to an increased number of shallow skin lesions and higher medical costs at the beginning of the study when the majority of sows received their conditioning. This effect disappeared later, when only replacement sows were trained.This study demonstrates that in sows an automated operant conditioning of a complex signal discrimination task is possible even under the considerable limitations of intensive livestock farming. However, future studies should utilise a more direct and better accessible reward system to reduce the training duration and improve the conditioning of the sows. Only then, will it be possible to accurately assess the animal welfare aspects and economic potential of signal-feeding.

Affordable RFID loggers for monitoring animal movement, activity, and behaviour.

Effective conservation management strategies require accurate information on the movement patterns and behaviour of wild animals. To collect these data, researchers are increasingly turning to remote sensing technology such as radio-frequency identification (RFID). RFID technology is a powerful tool that has been widely implemented in ecological research to identify and monitor unique individuals, but it bears a substantial price tag, restricting this technology to generously-funded disciplines and projects. To overcome this price hurdle, we provide detailed step-by-step instructions to source the components for, and construct portable RFID loggers in house, at a fraction of the cost (~5%) of commercial RFID units. Here, we assess the performance of these RFID loggers in the field and describe their application in two studies of Australian mammal species; monitoring nest-box use in the Northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) and observing the foraging habits of quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) at feeding stations. The RFID loggers performed well, identifying quenda in >80% of visits, and facilitating the collection of individual-level behavioural data including common metrics such as emergence time, latency to approach, and foraging effort. While the technology itself is not novel, by lowering the cost per unit, our loggers enabled greater sample sizes, increasing statistical power from 0.09 to 0.75 in the quoll study. Further, we outline and provide solutions to the limitations of this design. Our RFID loggers proved an innovative method for collecting accurate behavioural and movement data. With their ability to successfully identify individuals, the RFID loggers described here can act as an alternative or complementary tool to camera traps. These RFID loggers can also be applied in a wide variety of projects which range from monitoring animal welfare or demographic traits to studies of anti-predator responses and animal personality, making them a valuable addition to the modern ecologists' toolkit.