INFORMATION CONTENT OF COYOTE BARKS HOWLS

The information content of coyote (Canis latrans) vocalizations is poorly understood, but has important implications for understanding coyote behavior. Coyotes probably use information present in barks or howls to recognize individuals, but the presence of individually-specific information has not bean demonstrated. We found that coyote barks and howls contained individually specific characteristics: discriminant analysis correctly classified barks of five coyotes 69% of the time and howls of six coyotes 83% of the time. We also investigated the stability of vocalization characteristics at multiple distances from the source. Recordings were played back and re-recorded at 10 m, 600m, and 1,000m. Vocalization features were measured at each distance and analyzed to determine whether characteristics were stable. Most howl characteristics did not change with distance, and regardless of the distance discriminant analysis was 81% accurate at assigning howls among six individuals. Bark characteristics, however, were less stable and it is unlikely that barks could be used for individual recognition over long distances. The disparate results for the two vocalization types suggest that howls and barks serve separate functions. Howls appear optimized to convey information (i.e. data), while barks seem more suitable for attracting attention and acoustic ranging

Influence of keel impacts and laying hen behavior on keel bone damage.

Keel bone damage, which presents as fractures and/or deviations of the keel, has been detected in laying hens housed in all types of systems. Factors leading to keel bone damage in hens housed with limited vertical space, such as those housed in furnished systems, are not well understood, and are the topic of this study. Ten focal hens from each of 12 furnished cages (4 rooms of 3 cages) were fitted with keel mounted tri-axial accelerometers. Their behavior was video recorded continuously over two 3-wk trials: the first when the hens were between 52 and 60 wk of age, and the second approximately 20 wk later. The integrity of each hen's keel was evaluated at the start and end of each 3-wk trial using digital computed tomography. We identified predominant behaviors associated with acceleration events sustained at the keel (collisions, aggressive interactions and grooming) by pairing accelerometer outputs with video data. For each recorded acceleration event we calculated the acceleration magnitudes as the maximum summed acceleration recorded during the event, and by calculating the area under the acceleration curve. A principle components analysis, which was used as a data reduction technique, resulted in the identification of 4 components that were used in a subsequent regression analysis. A key finding is that the number of collisions a hen has with structures in her environment, and the number of aggressive interactions that a hen is involved, each affect the likelihood that she will develop 1 or more fractures within a 3-wk time span. This relationship between hen behavior and keel fracture formation was independent of the magnitude of acceleration involved in the event. Observed behavior did not have an impact on the formation of keel bone deviations, further supporting reports that the mechanisms underlying the 2 types of keel bone damage are different

Effect of cooled perches on the efficacy of an induced molt in White Leghorn laying hens previously exposed to heat stress

This study examined the effect of water chilled perches on hen production and physiological responses to induced molt during elevated temperatures. A total of 288White Leghorns at 82 wk of age were housed in 36 cages of 6 banks. Each bank was assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: cooled perches, air perches, and no perches. The hens were subjected to 2 heat episodes during their first laying cycle at week 21 to 35 and week 73 to 80, respectively. The hens were subjected to a 28 D nonfasted molting regimen starting at 85 wk of age. Cyclic heat of 32◦C (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) was applied daily during the molting period. After molt, hens were returned to a layer diet and housed under thermoneutral condition. Two birds per cage were monitored for BW change during molt. Egg production was recorded daily. Feed utilization was measured during molt at 86 and 88 wk of age. Egg weight and eggshell traits were examined at 84 wk (pre-molt) and postmolt at 92, 96, and 104 wk of age. Rectal temperature and blood samples were collected from 2 birds per cage at the end of molt. Blood samples were used for determining heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, corticosterone, and thyroid hormones. Plumage condition was examined at 22 wk post-molt. Compared to control and air perch hens, cooled perch hens had higher feed usage and greater BW loss, lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (P \u3c 0.05) with no difference in thyroid hormones and corticosterone at the end of molt. Cooled perch hens also had higher egg production beginning at 98 wk of age (Ptreatmentage \u3c 0.0001) than control hens and sometimes the air-perch hens. Cooled perch hens had higher rectal temperature than control but not air perch hens at end of molt. Moreover, cooled perch hens had better breast feather scores than air perch hens but worse vent plumage (P ≤ 0.05) than both control and air perch hens. These results indicate that the provision of cooled perches assists hens with better adaptation to stressors, such as induced molt plus heat exposure, resulting in improved post-molt egg production

Cooled perch effects on performance and well-being traits in caged White Leghorn hens

We assessed the effects of chilled water cooling perches on hen performance and physiological and behavioral parameters under “natural” high temperatures during the 2013 summer with a 4-hour acute heating episode. White Leghorns at 16 wk of age (N = 162) were randomly assigned to 18 cages (n = 9) arranged into 3 units. Each unit was assigned to one of the 3 treatments through 32 wk of age: 1) cooled perches, 2) air perches, and 3) no perches. Chilled water (10◦C) was circulated through the cooled perches when cage ambient temperature exceeded 25◦C. At the age of 27.6 wk, hens were subjected to a 4-hour acute heating episode of 33.3◦C and plasma corticosterone was determined within 2 hours. Egg production was recorded daily. Feed intake and egg and shell quality were measured at 5-week intervals. Feather condition, foot health, adrenal and liver weights, plasma corticosterone, and heat shock protein 70 mRNA were determined at the end of the study at 32 wk of age. The proportion of hens per cage perching, feeding, drinking, panting, and wing spreading was evaluated over one d every 5 wks and on the d of acute heat stress. There were no treatment effects on the measured physiological and production traits except for nail length. Nails were shorter for cooled perch hens than control (P = 0.002) but not air perch hens. Panting and wing spread were observed only on the day of acute heat stress. The onset of both behaviors was delayed for cooled perch hens, and they perched more than air perch hens following acute heat stress (P = 0.001) and at the age 21.4 wk (P = 0.023). Cooled perch hens drank less than control (P = 0.019) but not air perch hens at the age 21.4 wk. These results indicate that thermally cooled perches reduced thermoregulatory behaviors during acute heat stress, but did not affect their performance and physiological parameters under the ambient temperature imposed during this stud

Doing audio-visual montage to explore time and space: The everyday rhythms of Billingsgate Fish Market

This article documents, shows and analyses the everyday rhythms of Billingsgate, London’s wholesale fish market. It takes the form of a short film based an audio-visual montage of time-lapse photography and sound recordings, and a textual account of the dimensions of market life revealed by this montage. Inspired by Henri Lefebvre’s Rhythmanalysis, and the embodied experience of moving through and sensing the market, the film renders the elusive quality of the market and the work that takes place within it to make it happen. The composite of audio-visual recordings immerses viewers in the space and atmosphere of the market and allows us to perceive and analyse rhythms, patterns, flows, interactions, temporalities and interconnections of market work, themes that this article discusses. The film is thereby both a means of showing market life and an analytic tool for making sense of it. This article critically considers the documentation, evocation and analysis of time and space in this way

CLINICAL PSYCHIATRIC INTERVIEW (LECTURE)

Aim. To reflect the theoretical foundations and create a minimum set of practical skills of diagnostic and treatment interviewing in psychiatry.Materials and methods. To achieve this goal a thematic selection of scientific literature sources of both classical and modern domestic and foreign authors was carried out. In addition, the authors focused on the rich personal experience of interviewing, which allowed choosing and describing the most effective, practically significant methods and methods of clinical diagnosis in psychiatry in the form of psychiatric interviewing.Results. The factors that determine the nature and content of the interview: place, time, participants of the interview – doctor and patient have been described and analyzed. The analytical description of the main psychotechnologies which are used by the psychiatrist (psychotherapist) in the course of interview is given: establishment of contact, technology of hearing of and listening to the patient, technology of asking questions, technology of a pause and silence, technology of tactile contact, technology of using humour, advice, recommendation, interpretation, technology of finishing the interview and its structuring.Conclusion. Clinical interview is the main diagnostic and psychotherapeutic tool of a psychiatrist, and especially of a psychotherapist. The diagnostic effectiveness of a psychiatric interview is determined by the extent to which the information obtained in the course of it is structured into a diagnostic concept, the therapeutic effectiveness is determined by the extent to which the patient accepts the concept of understanding by the doctor of his painful condition (achieved compliance)

Higher heritabilities for gait components than for overall gait scores may improve mobility in ducks

International audienceAbstractBackgroundGenetic progress in selection for greater body mass and meat yield in poultry has been associated with an increase in gait problems which are detrimental to productivity and welfare. The incidence of suboptimal gait in breeding flocks is controlled through the use of a visual gait score, which is a subjective assessment of walking ability of each bird. The subjective nature of the visual gait score has led to concerns over its effectiveness in reducing the incidence of suboptimal gait in poultry through breeding. The aims of this study were to assess the reliability of the current visual gait scoring system in ducks and to develop a more objective method to select for better gait.ResultsExperienced gait scorers assessed short video clips of walking ducks to estimate the reliability of the current visual gait scoring system. Kendall’s coefficients of concordance between and within observers were estimated at 0.49 and 0.75, respectively. In order to develop a more objective scoring system, gait components were visually scored on more than 4000 pedigreed Pekin ducks and genetic parameters were estimated for these components. Gait components, which are a more objective measure, had heritabilities that were as good as, or better than, those of the overall visual gait score.ConclusionsMeasurement of gait components is simpler and therefore more objective than the standard visual gait score. The recording of gait components can potentially be automated, which may increase accuracy further and may improve heritability estimates. Genetic correlations were generally low, which suggests that it is possible to use gait components to select for an overall improvement in both economic traits and gait as part of a balanced breeding programme

Effect of cooled perches on performance, plumage condition, and foot health of caged White Leghorn hens exposed to cyclic heat

We examined the effects of water-chilled perches as cooling devices on hen performance during 2 summers using daily cyclic heat. White Leghorns, 17 wk of age, were assigned to 36 cages arranged into 6 banks. The banks were assigned to cooled perches, air perches, and no perches resulting in 2 replicate banks and 12 cages per treatment. Chilled water (10◦C) was circulated through the cooled perches during heat episodes. Daily cyclic heat of 35◦C was applied from 0600 to1800 h with a lowering of temperature to 28◦C from 1800 to 0600 h during the 2014 and 2015 summers when hens were 21 to 35 and 73 to 80 wk of age, respectively. Mortality and egg production were recorded daily. Feed utilization, egg weight, and shell quality traits were measured at 4-wk intervals during the heat episodes and at 8-wk intervals during thermoneutrality. Body weight was determined at 17, 35, 72, and 80 wk of age and physical condition at 80 wk of age. At several ages during the heat episodes, cooled perch hens had increased egg production (P \u3c 0.0001) and feed usage (P \u3c 0.04) as compared to both air perch and control hens. The cooled perch hens had higher BW at 35 and 72 wk of age (Ptreatmentage = 0.03) and lower cumulative mortality (P = 0.02) than control hens but not air perch hens. Eggs from cooled perch hens had overall heavier weights (P \u3c 0.0001) and higher breaking force (P \u3c 0.0001) than eggs from the other two group hens. Greater eggshell percentage (Ptreatmentage = 0.03) and eggshell thickness (Ptreatmentage = 0.01) occurred at some ages during the 2 heat episodes as compared to the other 2 treatments. Nail length, feet hyperkerato sis, and overall feather score were similar among treatments. These results indicate that cooled perch ameliorates the negative effects of heat stress on egg traits and performance without influencing the physical condition of hens

On-farm welfare assessment of commercial Pekin ducks: a comparison of methods

Although a number of welfare assessment methods have been developed for poultry, none have been evaluated for use in commercial duck farms. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the inter-rater reliability and relative accuracy of 4 duck welfare assessment strategies. Over 2 experiments, 12 flocks of commercial meat ducks (5,850 to 6,300 ducks/flock) aged 30 to 34 D were evaluated. During experiment 1, six flocks were evaluated using 2 welfare assessment methods: transect walks (TW) and catch-and-inspect (CAI). During TW, 2 observers walked predetermined transects along the length of the house and recorded the number of ducks per transect that were featherless, were dirty, were lethargic, had bloody feathers, had infected eyes, and/or had plugged nostrils or were found dead. During CAI, a total of 150 ducks per flock were corralled and individually evaluated. The same welfare indicators were assessed using both methods. During experiment 2, six flocks were initially evaluated using CAI, TW, and a distance evaluation (DE; a total of 50 ducks per flock evaluated from a walking distance) and then reassessed within 24 h during the loadout (LO) process. Data were analyzed in SAS (version 9.4) to determine the observer and method effects on the incidence of welfare indicators. Interobserver reliability was high (P > 0.05) across methods for most welfare indicators. The assessment method affected the measured outcome variables in both experiments (P < 0.05). CAI resulted in higher estimated incidences of most welfare indicators than TW (experiment 1 and 2) and LO (experiment 2). DE yielded intermediate results compared with other methods (experiment 2). Results obtained using TW and LO were most similar, the only difference being the number of dead birds observed using each method (P < 0.0001). The average time required for CAI, TW, DE, and LO was 2.40 ± 0.004, 1.12 ± 0.02, 1.54 ± 0.001, 3.56 ± 0.006 h, respectively. Bootstrapping analyses showed that the observed welfare indicator prevalence estimates were affected by the number of transects (TW) and number of birds (CAI) sampled