The development of playful behaviour in piglets from birth to weaning in three farrowing environments

Observations of piglet play behaviour were recorded on real time video over 28 days during six periods for 6 h per period per litter (days 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, 16–20, 21–25, 26–30), from birth, in three farrowing environments: (i) an adjustable parallel crate (800 mm width) in a 2130 mm × 2105 mm pen; (ii) a round crate (1.85 mm diameter) within a pen (2130 mm × 2105 mm); (iii) a pen (2130 mm × 2105 mm) surrounded on the inside by horizontal metal bars 200 mm above the floor. Eight sows and their litters were observed in each environment. Individual play was recorded as spring (sudden jumping or leaping, 9.6% of observations of play frequency, highest in the round crate), run (8.3% of play, no pen differences) and object play (18.8% of play, highest in the parallel crate). These behaviours all began at 3–5 days of age, and peaked at 21–25 days. Social play, which involved nudging or pushing other animals also began at 3–5 days. Nudging contributed 12.3% of observations of play, this behaviour occurring more frequently in the open pen, while pushing comprised 17.1% of play observations and was greatest in the parallel crate. Play with sow began on days 1–2 with piglets climbing, nudging, or biting the sow. This accounted for 22.6% of observations of play and occurred at higher levels in the round crate and open pen than in the parallel crate. Naso-naso contact of piglets with the sow also began early (days 1–2) and averaged 11.0% of play observations with a higher frequency in the parallel crate. The end to a social play episode was usually separation as piglets ceased their activity and walked away (average 72.2% of observations of play endings). Aggression, where the play developed into a fight, accounted for 27.8% of endings in the parallel crate, only 12.5% in the open pen and 13.4% in the round crate. Rest, where the piglets lay down after play, accounted for an average 9.7% of observations of play endings and was much higher in the parallel crate. This study shows that play behaviour develops rapidly in an intensive farrowing environment, which may indicate that piglet welfare is not compromised

Mapping earthworm communities in Europe

Existing data sets on earthworm communities in Europe were collected, harmonized, collated, modelled and depicted on a soil biodiversity map. Digital Soil Mapping was applied using multiple regressions relating relatively low density earthworm community data to soil characteristics, land use, vegetation and climate factors (covariables) with a greater spatial resolution. Statistically significant relationships were used to build habitat–response models for maps depicting earthworm abundance and species diversity. While a good number of environmental predictors were significant in multiple regressions, geographical factors alone seem to be less relevant than climatic factors. Despite differing sampling protocols across the investigated European countries, land use and geological history were the most relevant factors determining the demography and diversity of the earthworms. Case studies from country-specific data sets (France, Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands) demonstrated the importance and efficiency of large databases for the detection of large spatial patterns that could be subsequently applied at smaller (local) scales

Influência do transporte e mudança de local de manejo nas variáveis fisiológicas e produtivas de cabras Alpinas Physiologic and productive responses of Alpine goats submitted to transportation to a new dairy location

Estudaram-se o efeito do transporte e a mudança de local de manejo sobre a produção e a composição do leite e sobre as variáveis fisiológicas, utilizando-se 12 cabras da raça Alpina em final de lactação. Semanalmente, foram mensuradas a produção e composição do leite e a contagem de células somáticas, além do volume do leite residual após administração de ocitocina. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue para dosagem hormonal (cortisol) e enzimática (glicose) no plasma no dia do transporte: antes (7h10min) e após (8h20min, 8h30min e 10h30min) o transporte. Nas três semanas subsequentes ao transporte, também foram colhidas amostras de sangue às 8h20min. Obtiveram-se teores mais elevados (P<0,05) de cortisol e glicose após o transporte e a mudança de local de manejo, e menor produção de leite (P<0,05) um dia após o evento. Porcentagem de gordura (P<0,05) e contagem de células somáticas apresentaram diferenças significativas (P<0,05) após o transporte. Os resultados permitem concluir que o transporte é um agente estressor que pode, momentaneamente, influenciar a produção animal.<br>The effects of transportation and reallocation on milk production and composition and physiological responses were studied in 12 late-lactation Alpine goats. Weekly, somatic cell count, milk production and composition, and residual milk volume (after administration of oxytocin) were monitored. Blood samples were taken for hormonal (cortisol) and enzymatic dosages (glucose) in plasma on the day of transportation: before (7h10min) and after transportation (8h20min, 8h30min, and 10h30min). During the three weeks after transportation, blood samples were also taken at 8h20min. Higher levels (P<0.05) of cortisol and glucose after transportation and reallocation were observed and milk yield was significantly lower (P<0.05) one day after them. Milk fat percentage and somatic cell count (P<0.05) were higher after transportation. Results allow concluding that transportation is a stressor agent that may momentarily influence animal production