Wire Mesh Floors Research Articles

σ1Receptors Are Involved in the Visceral Pain Induced by Intracolonic Administration of Capsaicin in Mice

Visceral pain is an important and prevalent clinical condition whose treatment is challenging. Sigma-1 (σ1) receptors modulate somatic pain, but their involvement in pure visceral pain is unexplored. The authors evaluated the role of σ1 receptors in intracolonic capsaicin-induced visceral pain (pain-related behaviors and referred mechanical hyperalgesia to the abdominal wall) using wild-type (WT) (n = 12 per group) and σ1 receptor knockout (σ1-KO) (n = 10 per group) mice, selective σ1 receptor antagonists (BD-1063, S1RA, and NE-100), and control drugs (morphine and ketoprofen). The intracolonic administration of capsaicin (0.01-1%) induced concentration-dependent visceral pain-related behaviors and referred hyperalgesia in both WT and σ1-KO mice. However, the maximum number of pain-related behaviors induced by 1% capsaicin in σ1-KO mice (mean ± SEM, 22 ± 2.9) was 48% of that observed in WT animals (46 ± 4.2). Subcutaneous administration of the σ1 receptor antagonists BD-1063 (16-64 mg/kg), S1RA (32-128 mg/kg), and NE-100 (8-64 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the number of behavioral responses (by 53, 62, and 58%, respectively) and reversed the referred hyperalgesia to mechanical control threshold (0.53 ± 0.05 g) in WT mice. In contrast, these drugs produced no change in σ1-KO mice. Thus, the effects of these drugs are specifically mediated by σ1 receptors. Morphine produced an inhibition of capsaicin-induced visceral pain in WT and σ1-KO mice, whereas ketoprofen had no effect in either mouse type. These results suggest that σ1 receptors play a role in the mechanisms underlying capsaicin-induced visceral pain and raise novel perspectives for their potential therapeutic value.

Effect of Cage Floor Type on Behavior and Performance of Growing Rabbits

Twenty four New-Zealand White rabbits of both genders (12 males and 12 females), 4 weeks old, with nearly equal body weight at the beginning of the experiment, were randomly allotted to three groups of 8 rabbit each (4 males and 4 females). Three groups were established according to the cage floor type. The first group was raised on wire mesh cage floor throughout the experiment. The second group was raised on plastic hollow mat and the third was on rubber hollow mat. Rabbits were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at weekly intervals thereafter during the experimental period (7 weeks). Individual body weight and feed consumption throughout the experiment were recorded weekly. Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, ear and eye lesions, total and differential Leukocytes count were also calculated. The results demonstrated that the cage floor type affected drinking and agonistic behavior but did not affect any other behaviors. Rabbits raised on wire mesh floor showed the highest proportion of agonistic behavior. The cage floor type had no influence on BW, feed consumption, BW gain and feed conversion ratio of growing rabbit during the last three weeks of experiment. The incidence of ear and eye lesions was higher in cages with wire mesh (25%) than cages with plastic and rubber mat floor (12.5%). Wire caged rabbits revealed significant increase in white blood cells and lymphocyte counts. It could be suggested that placing of plastic or rubber mat on wire mesh of rabbit' cages has an important effect on reducing the incidence of ear and eye lesions caused by aggressive behaviors and reducing the effect of stress on the total and differential Leukocytes count, as well as improving their welfare state.

Efeitos do ácido L-glutâmico e da vitamina K na composição bioquímica parcial de fêmures de frangos de corte

Objetivou-se estudar os efeitos da combinação de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu) e vitamina K na composição bioquímica de fêmures (proteínas colagenosas; não-colagenosas e totais) de frangos de corte. O experimento, que teve 14 dias de duração, foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em fatorial 2 × 4, com dois níveis de ácido L-glutâmico (6,25 e 12,5%) combinados com quatro níveis de vitamina K (0,02; 0,2; 2,0 e 20,0 mg/kg de ração), cada combinação com quatro repetições de dez animais. Foram utilizados pintos machos, Avian Farm, de 1 dia, criados em baterias aquecidas e alimentados à vontade com dieta básica contendo L-aminoácidos essenciais, minerais e vitaminas (exceto vitamina K) suplementada com ácido L-glutâmico e vitamina K. Ao término do experimento, os animais foram sacrificados por deslocamento cervical e seus fêmures removidos, medidos, desengordurados e pesados. Não foi observada interação significativa entre ácido L-glutâmico e vitamina K para os parâmetros estudados. Os teores de proteínas não-colagenosas foram maiores e o de proteínas colagenosas, menores nos fêmures dos pintos alimentados com a ração com 6,25% de ácido L-glutâmico. Os teores de proteínas totais, no entanto, não foram afetados pelos níveis de ácido L-glutâmico e de vitamina K. Os níveis de vitamina K tiveram efeito quadrático decrescente nos teores de proteínas não-colagenosas e efeito crescente na composição de proteínas colagenosas dos fêmures. A composição em proteínas colagenosas e não-colagenosas pode ser utilizada como indicador bioquímico de anormalidades de pernas causadas por baixo nível de nitrogênio não-específico.

Effect of Exogenous Administration of Tamoxifen on Hormonal Profile and Sexual Maturity in Indian Native Kadaknath Fowl

The effect of exogenous administration of tamoxifen (TAM) on hormonal profile and sexual maturity in Indian native Kadaknath (KN) fowl was investigated. Day-old chicks from the same hatch were randomly divided into 15 groups with 20 chicks in each group (5 treatments×3 replicates). The chicks were placed in battery brooders with wire-mesh floors and reared under uniform husbandry conditions (14 h light/d, 25-32°C) on a standard basal diet. At the age of two weeks (wk), birds from the control group (T 1 ) were injected with maize oil intramuscularly (I/M), whereas the other four experimental groups T 2 , T 3 , T 4 and T 5 were given tamoxifen (I/M) dissolved in maize oil at the rate of 0.5 mg (0.5 TAM), 1.0 mg (1.0 TAM), 2.5 mg (2.5 TAM) and 5.0 mg (5.0 TAM)/kg body weight, respectively, up to 30 wks on every alternate day. At every 6-wk interval, blood samples were collected from nine birds of each treatment group for estimation of estrogen and progesterone. The same birds were sacrificed for determination of the weight of ovary, oviduct, liver and adipose tissue. There was no significant difference in egg production traits except onset of lay and egg number. Low doses of TAM (T 3 ) advanced the onset of egg laying by 15 days over the control. Tamoxifen influenced the hormonal profile (estrogen and progesterone) in a dose dependent manner. However, higher doses of TAM suppressed ovary and oviductal growth. From this study, it may be concluded that lower doses of TAM enhanced sexual maturity while higher doses suppressed ovary and oviductal growth.

Effect of footrests on the incidence of ulcerative pododermatitis in domestic rabbit does

AbstractUlcerative pododermatitis or sore hocks is a common condition in adult rabbits housed in cages with wire-mesh floors. This study was carried out on a recently-opened commercial farm with 224 breeding cages (112 without footrests [NFR] and 112 with footrests [FR]) to assess the effect of footrests on the incidence of sore hocks (SH) and plantar hyperkeratosis (K) on domestic rabbit does, throughout the first part of their productive lives. The accumulated incidence of SH in the fifth lactation was 71.5 and 15.1% for NFR and FR groups, respectively and the accumulated incidence of K, at the same point, was 100 and 64.5%. The footrests were also found to have a curative effect on 81.3% of affected does. Clinical and epidemiological information obtained in this study revealed that the installation of a plastic platform or slatted footrest on the wire mesh played a significant role in the prevention and cure of sore hocks. Problems specifically related to cage hygiene and cleanliness were not addressed in this study.

The effect of zinc and manganese source in the diet for laying hens on eggshell and bones quality

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc and manganese source (inorganic vs. organic) in the diet for hens on laying performance, eggshell quality and chosen parameters of bones. Experiment was carried out on 84 Hy Line Brown hens, from 25 to 70 weeks of age, allocated to seven experimental groups, each containing 12 hens individually caged on wire-mesh floor. All layers were fed the same basal diet contained in 1 kg 52 mg Zn and 30 mg Mn. In experimental treatments basal diet was supplemented with 30 mg Zn/kg and 50 mg Mn/kg and inorganic forms of Zn (ZnO) and Mn (MnO) were gradually replaced (in 0, 50 or 100%) with their organic sources (amino acid complexes). Egg production, egg weight, feed intake and feed efficiency were not affected by dietary treatments. Substitution of Zn and Mn oxides with amino acid complexes of microelements had also no effect on physical and geometrical parameters of tibia, ash content in tibia and in toes, eggshell percent, eggshell thickness and eggshell density, but improved (<I>P</I> < 0.05) eggshell breaking strength in late phase of laying cycle (at 62 and 70 weeks of age). Obtained results indicate that use of organic complexes of Zn and Mn could alleviate the negative effect of hen age on eggshell breaking strength.

Abdominal odours of young, low-ranking European rabbit mothers are less attractive to pups: an experiment with animals living under natural breeding conditions

Lactating rabbit females (Oryctolagus cuniculus) emit abdominal, ventral odour cues that are involved in guiding the pups to the nipples. We tested the impact of the females’ social rank and age on the emission of this odour signal; both factors are highly collinear in wild rabbits and we did not aim to disentangle them in our study. We predicted that the abdominal odours of young, low-ranking females, which are usually more stressed and have a comparatively lower body condition, should be less attractive to pups than those of older, high-ranking females. For the experiment, we caught females from a population of wild-type European rabbits living in a large field enclosure. Pairs of adult females were placed in boxes with wire-mesh floor fixed over an arena with three rabbit pups aged 4–7 days old. First, we evaluated the effectiveness of our two-choice design by testing lactating females (LF) against non-lactating (NLF) controls (n = 17 pairs). In accordance with recent studies, the pups showed a clear preference for lactating females by means of a higher exploration time and more local searching under the ventral region of these females. In a second experiment, the pups chose between lactating 1-year-old, low-ranking females (Y/LRF) and older, high-ranking females (O/HRF) (n = 10 pairs). These latter assays suggested a comparatively lower attractiveness of Y/LRF females to pups searching for milk. Although the pups showed no significant preference in exploration behaviour, they preferably directed local searching events to the abdominal region of O/HRF females. In conclusion, our study suggests that mother–offspring chemosensory communication is modified by the mother’s age and social rank, i.e., by a complex of factors that are strongly linked in rabbit females in the wild.

Blue foxes’ motivation to gain access to solid floors and the effect of the floor material on their behaviour

Farmed blue foxes are willing to work to gain access to a sand floor from a wire mesh floor. It is not clear whether the foxes work for the sand floor because of its solidity or because it enables them to perform certain behaviours, e.g. exploration and digging. Here, we measured blue foxes’ motivation to gain access from a wire mesh floor to a floor with 15–30 cm deep sand, a floor with 3–4 cm deep sand, a solid concrete floor, and another wire mesh floor. In addition, we analysed the foxes’ behaviour on these floor materials. Seven male blue foxes were trained and tested in self-constructed operant apparatuses. In an apparatus, the fox could move a bottomless test cage from a wire mesh floor to a neighbouring, alternative floor material for a 4-min visit by pressing a lever in the test cage for a fixed number of times (Fixed Ratio, FR). The foxes worked for each floor material for 12 days. In each daily test session, the foxes were exposed to work on one of the four workloads (FR 6, 12, 24, 48), for 3 h. The behaviour of the foxes was analysed during the 4-min visits on each floor material. The results showed that there was no difference between the floor materials, either in the demand elasticity of the fragment of the demand curve (ranging from −0.46 to −0.33), or in the intensity of the demand. However, the foxes’ behaviour varied between the floor materials. More digging, play, rooting (exploration with the muzzle), and vole jumping were observed on the floor materials with sand, than on the concrete floor and the wire mesh floor. Both the presence and the depth of the sand layer stimulated these behaviours. It is concluded that juvenile blue foxes do not value solid floor materials more than a wire mesh floor. However, the sand floor stimulates more digging, play, vole jumping, and exploration than the concrete floor or wire mesh floor. Furthermore, the depth of sand may be an important factor in eliciting these behaviours. Access to a floor material with sand may improve the welfare of farmed blue foxes by providing the possibility to perform species-specific behaviours.

Blue foxes’ ( Alopex lagopus) preferences between earth floor and wire mesh floor

Blue foxes ( Alopex lagopus) with access to both earth floor and wire mesh floor have shown a preference, measured as time allocation, for a wire mesh floor. However, in these earlier studies there have been several confounding factors (e.g. with the size and elevation of the floors) that were controlled for in the present preference experiment. In addition to the blue foxes’ preference, we measured the foxes’ behaviour both on an earth floor and a wire mesh floor, and evaluated the effects of an earth floor deprivation on the behaviour of the foxes. From the cubs’ age of 4 weeks (July), 16 fox families (vixen and cubs) were housed in an outdoor fur animal shed in cage systems consisting of two fox cages. At the cubs’ age of 8 weeks, the cubs were separated from their mother and thereafter only the experimental male–female sibling pairs were housed in the experimental cages until December. In the eight pairs of the control group, there was a wire mesh floor in both cages, whereas in the eight pairs of the earth group, there was a wire mesh floor in one cage and a 30–40 cm deep earth floor in the other cage. The behaviour and locations of the foxes’ were recorded using instantaneous sampling (with a sampling interval of 5 min) for 24 h five times, i.e. in September just before an earth floor deprivation (SEP or BDE), on the 9th day of the 14-day deprivation (DEP), on the 1st day after the deprivation (ADE), in October (OCT) and in December (DEC). The recordings SEP, OCT and DEC were interpreted as a preference setup and, the recordings BDE, DEP and ADE were interpreted as a deprivation setup. The control group used both available cages equally, whereas the earth group used the wire mesh cage more than the earth floor cage for both resting and activity. The earth group showed less oral stereotypic activity than the control group. A rebound effect in digging and sniffing on sand was observed after the earth floor deprivation in the earth group. The results confirm the earlier findings that farm born blue foxes prefer a wire mesh floor to earth floor when measured as time allocation. However, farmed foxes with early experience of an earth floor may value the behaviours enabled by the presence of an earth floor.

A note on the effect of changes in flooring on the behaviour of housed rams

This paper reports on the use of plastic mats by rams housed in pens with wire mesh floors and the motivational consequences of short-term removal of these mats. Six rams were monitored for 5 days before and after the introduction of mats. The mats were then removed for 24 h. There was a peak in the lying rate of rams on the first day the mats were returned. This post-inhibitory rebound may reflect a rise in internal motivation to lie down during the period of prevention. Behaviours that exhibit this pattern of motivation are generally considered functional, and it has been argued that their prevention may compromise welfare. Therefore this report supports the use of appropriately designed plastic mats in housed rams that would otherwise be required to lie on wire mesh.

Topical high molecular weight hyaluronan reduces radicular pain post laminectomy in a rat model

Topical high molecular weight hyaluronan reduces radicular pain post laminectomy in a rat model

The development of feather pecking in Burmese red junglefowl: the influence of early experience with exploratory-rich environments

This study examines the development of feather pecking and its relationship to exploration in Burmese red junglefowl ( Gallus gallus spadiceus). Ten groups of four chicks each were raised from hatching on wire mesh floors (home pen). Two of the four chicks in each group received experience in exploratory-rich environments four times a week for 5 weeks, and the other two chicks remained in the home pen. Observations conducted in the home pen revealed that chicks deprived of experience in exploratory-rich environments performed significantly more gentle feather pecking, and tended to show more severe feather pecking than the experienced birds. Experience in the exploratory-rich environments did not affect the frequency of environmental pecking or food pecking. These results suggest that chicks deprived of exploratory-rich environments may come to perceive pen mates as appropriate exploratory stimuli and subsequently direct exploratory behavior toward conspecifics. This tendency to peck pen mates may lead to the development of feather pecking. We suggest that forceful pecks may be reinforcing, and that the more likely pecks are directed to a conspecific, the more likely feather pecking will develop.

Time course of changes in egg-shell quality, faecal corticosteroids and behaviour as welfare measures in laying hens

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the extent to which three non-invasive measures of welfare in laying hens (egg-shell quality, corticosteroid levels as measured from the birds' faeces, and behavioural preferences) were correlated over a period of five days in two groups of birds. One group had access to an enriched test area (bark chips on the floor and a tray of sprouted wheat); the other group had access to a comparably sized barren area (bare wire mesh floor). The measure of preference used was the amount of time hens spent in the test area as measured each day. It was predicted that birds with access to the less preferred environment would show higher levels of faecal corticosteroids and egg-shell anomalies. However, although the birds showed a preference for the enriched environment from Day 1, the other two measures did not follow the same pattern. Faecal corticosteroid metabolites showed an initial increase in both groups, which declined significantly by Day 4, with the ‘enriched’ birds in fact showing a trend for higher levels than the ‘barren’ birds. Shell thickness also showed a change over the five days, but with a different time course: declining to a minimal level on Day 3 and then rising again by Day 5. No measure of shell quality was significantly different between the two environments, but there was a trend for changes in shell thickness to be more pronounced in eggs from enriched birds. The results indicate the caution that needs to be exercised in using shell quality or corticosteroid measurements in isolation from assessments of what the animals themselves prefer.

Composição Química do Soro de Pintos de Corte Alimentados com Dietas Purificadas

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos de níveis de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu) e vitamina D3 (VD) no soro de pintos de corte de um dia, machos, Hubbard, criados em baterias aquecidas, recebendo dieta básica purificada, suplementada com 5, 10 e 15% de L-Glu combinados com 0, 5.000, 10.000 e 15.000 UI de vitamina D3/kg. Os animais foram distribuídos em esquema fatorial em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 12 tratamentos, quatro repetições e sete aves por repetição. As concentrações máximas de cálcio no soro (9,61 mg/dL) foram obtidas com 15% de L-Glu e 14.181UI de VD; 7,33 mg/dL de cálcio iônico com 15% de L-Glu e 15.664UI de VD; 7,20 mg/dL de fósforo com 10% de L-Glu e 10.863UI de VD. Os maiores valores de atividade de fosfatase alcalina no soro foram obtidos com 10% de L-Glu e na deficiência de VD. Em geral, as aves alimentadas com 10% de L-Glu e 15.000UI de VD apresentaram melhor desempenho, melhor perfil sangüíneo e menor incidência de problemas de pernas.

Efeitos do Ácido L-Glutâmico da Dieta em Pintos de Corte

Com o objetivo de estudar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu) sobre as concentrações de proteínas colagenosas (PC), proteínas não-colagenosas (PNC), proteínas totais (PT), cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), magnésio (Mg), manganês (Mn), sódio (Na) e potássio (K) nos fêmures e tíbias, um experimento foi conduzido com pintos de um dia, machos, Hubbard, criados em baterias aquecidas com piso de tela elevado, alimentados com dieta básica purificada contendo todos os L-aminoácidos essenciais, vitaminas e minerais em níveis requeridos e suplementada com 5; 7,5; 10; e 12,5% de ácido L-glutâmico (L-Glu), por um período de 14 dias. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, cinco repetições de cinco aves cada. Os pintos alimentados com 7,5% de L-Glu apresentaram maior ganho de peso, melhor eficiência alimentar e maiores comprimentos de tíbias e fêmures. Foram necessários 12,5% de L-Glu para reduzir a um mínimo (19,92%) a incidência de deformações nas pernas, sem contudo eliminá-las. Não foi observado efeito dos níveis de L-Glu no consumo (P>0,05). Não houve efeito significativo dos tratamentos sobre os teores de PC, PT, Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Na e K nas tíbias e fêmures. Os teores de PNC das tíbias e fêmures foram significativamente maiores nos animais alimentados com 12,5% de L-Glu. Embora algumas diferenças tenham sido observadas na composição mineral dos ossos, os conteúdos se encontravam numa faixa fisiológica normal.

Effect of space allowance and earthen flooring on behaviour of farmed blue foxes

This study sought to evaluate the effect of cage space and earthen flooring on the behaviour of individually caged, farmed blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Three different cage sizes [80 cm long (CL80), 120 cm long (CL120), 240 cm long (CL240); each 105 cm wide×70 cm high] with wire-mesh flooring, and one two-level cage (CL240E) with both wire-mesh (240 cm long×105 cm wide×70 cm high) and earthen flooring (80 cm long×105 cm wide×70 cm high) were employed. Quantitative ethograms were obtained from ten males in each group by videotaping the animals for 144 h monthly from August through November. Altogether 30 different behaviours were described. These were rather similar in all study groups. Examples of behavioural differences included pacing around with a neighbour and the incidence of scratching, which both declined with increasing cage space. Only the foxes in the cage with an earthen flooring (CL240E) exhibited digging behaviour, which averaged 11 min/24 h. The wire-mesh section was distinctly preferred to the earthen-floor section for most behaviours. Foxes in all groups were at their most active from 0800 to 1600 hours. Total activity, including several separate behaviours, declined as winter approached. Locomotor and oral stereotypies were infrequent, and no significant differences were found between the various cage options. For several hours before feeding, the foxes showed increasing levels of stereotypies, but afterwards, stereotypies abruptly declined.

Physiological and behavioural responses in blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) : comparisons between space quantity and floor material

AbstractWelfare-related physiological and behavioural responses were studied in farmbred blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Comparisons in space quantity were made between two different-sized shed cages (50 cm long (W50) and 120 cm long (W120); each 105 cm wide ✕ 70 cm high) and for one out-of-shed pen (5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high; W500). Each option had a wire-mesh floor. Furthermore, we tested how floor material affects responses by comparing the W500 foxes in wire-mesh floor pens with foxes housed in earthen floor pens (E500: 5 m long ✕ 3 m wide ✕ 1·8 m high). Each test group comprised 20 juvenile males maintained in pairs. The experiments lasted from weaning in July to pelting in December. Final body weights of the W500 foxes were significantly lower than those of the W50 or W120 foxes. Claw length of back foot was longer for E500 than for W500 foxes. Posture of front feet was the most folded for W50 and the least folded for E500 foxes. Breaking strength of tibia was highest for foxes housed on the earthen floor (E500). Gastrocnemius muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity tended to decrease and the number of leucocytes tended to increase with cage size. Alanine-aminotransferase and aspartate-amino transferase activities were significantly higher in foxes housed in shed cages (W50, W120) than in enclosures (W500, E500). Creatine-kinase activity tended to decline with increasing cage size. Highest and lowest open field activity was found for E500 and W50 foxes in both wire-mesh and earthen floor test arenas. Some differences were found in body weight-related organ sizes between groups. Heart weight was significantly higher in W500 than in W50 or W120 foxes. Brain weight was significantly lower in W50 than in W500 foxes. Liver weight increased with increasing cage size. Capture time was significantly lower for W50 and W120 foxes than for W500 or E500 foxes. Cortisol levels after capture were significantly higher in foxes from enclosures (W500, E500) than in those from shed cages (W50, W120), but after ACTH stimulation the levels were similar in each group. Rectal temperatures after restraint were highest in foxes from W500. Fur properties of W500 and E500 foxes were poorer than those of W50 or W120 foxes.

How Do Adolescents Perceive Wire Floor in Fox Cages?

The wire-mesh netting used as the floor material in cages is often claimed to cause walking problems for foxes. The validity of this claim was tested in 96 15-year-old secondary school pupils. They were shown five separate 2 min fragments of videotapes showing the cage pairs with randomized floor material (solid or wire mesh) but with an obstructed view of the floor. The pupils were asked to evaluate the flooring material based on what they actually saw. The mean proportion of correct answers out of 5 for individuals were slightly more than half correct (0.54), but this did not differ significantly from the random value (0.5). When the pairs of foxes had different flooring material, the pupils answered correctly (0.58, P <0.05). Thus, the pupils were not able to identify a specific floor type (wire-mesh or solid floor) but were able to differentiate between two different types of floor based solely on the behaviour of the foxes.

Effects of space allowance and earthen floor on welfare-related physiological and behavioural responses in male blue foxes

Welfare-related physiological and behavioural responses were studied in farm-bred male blue foxes ( Alopex lagopus). Three different-sized cages (80-cm long [CL80], 120-cm long [CL120], and 240-cm long [CL240]; each 105-cm wide × 70-cm high) with wire-mesh floors and one enlarged cage (CL240E) with both wire-mesh floor (240-cm long × 105-cm wide × 70-cm high) and earthen floor (80-cm long × 105-cm wide × 70-cm high) were compared. N = 30 males for each group. The experiments lasted from weaning in July to pelting in December. Statistical analyses were based on the models accounting for litter as a block effect. Breaking strength of tibia was highest for foxes having access to both wire-mesh and ground floors (CL240E). Stress-induced hyperthermia was evident during capture and immobilisation. The highest rectal temperature (mean ± SEM) was found in CL240E (capture: 39.6 ± 0.09°C, restraint:40.0 ± 0.09°C) and the lowest in CL80 (capture: 39.1 ± 0.09°C, restraint: 39.7 ± 0.09°C). Likewise, capture time (median; interquartile range) in the home cage was highest in CL240E (29; 18 to 44) and lowest in CL80 (12; 9 to 14). During capture, foxes tended to withdraw to the farthest site within the cage. CL240E foxes typically showed the most fear towards human. The most confident animals were found in CL80. The cortisol:creatinine ratio (median; interquartile range) obtained from circadian urine did not reveal statistically significant differences among CL80 (3.5; 2.6 to 4.1), CL120 (2.3; 1.5 to 3.8) and CL240 (2.3, 1.5 to 3.7). The earthen flooring complicated the urine sampling and conclusions for CL240E (1.7; 1.2 to 2.2). CL240E foxes were the most active and explorative on both wire-mesh– and ground-floored open-field arenas. Altogether, 53% of furs from CL240E were classified as very dirty. Dirtiness of furs in other test groups was slight. In conclusion, the present results did not reveal an unambiguous superiority of any of the studied cage options for well-being of farmed blue foxes.

Influence of flooring type during transport and holding on bacteria recovery from broiler carcass rinses before and after defeathering

Four trials were conducted to determine whether conventional solid or elevated wire mesh flooring, during transport and holding of broilers prior to slaughter, influenced the number of bacteria recovered from feathered and defeathered carcasses. After 4 h off feed, 7-wk-old broilers were placed at commercial density into a modified commercial transport dump-coop on either fiberglass sheeting or 2.54×2.54 cm wire mesh flooring that allowed feces to fall through. Broilers were transported for 1 h and then held for 13 h under a covered shed before processing. Broilers were killed by electrocution, and the vents were plugged to prevent escape of feces. External carcass rinses were obtained twice (from the same carcass) from eight broilers per flooring treatment per trial, before scalding and defeathering and again after defeathering and removal of the head and feet. Greater numbers of total aerobes, coliforms, and Escherichia coli were recovered from feathered carcasses than from defeathered carcasses. Campylobacter count was also less for defeathered than feathered carcasses from the solid flooring treatment but did not significantly decrease following defeathering of carcasses from the wire flooring. The incidence of Campylobacter-positive carcasses was reduced following defeathering for both flooring treatments, but the percentage of Salmonellae-positive carcasses remained constant. Coliform (log10 6.20 vs. 5.63 cfu/mL of rinse) and E. coli (log10 5.93 vs. 5.36) counts in the feathered rinses were significantly higher for the solid flooring compared with wire flooring, respectively. After defeathering, the number of coliforms (log10 3.12) and E. coli (log10 2.91) recovered did not differ between flooring treatments. Aerobic plate count (log10 7.06 and 4.02), Campylobacter count (log10 2.49 and 1.80), and the incidence of Campylobacter-positive (44 and 11%) and Salmonellae-positive (52 and 50%) carcasses for feathered and defeathered rinses, respectively, did not differ between flooring treatments. These results indicate that although broilers transported and held on solid flooring had noticeably dirtier breast feathers and higher coliform and E. coli counts prior to scalding and defeathering, bacteria recovery from external carcass rinses did not differ between the solid and wire flooring treatments after defeathering.