Enriquiment sensorial amb feromones per millorar el benestar de lleons en captivitat

Els felins es comuniquen mitjançant feromones. Un estudi ha posat a prova l'efectivitat de dues feromones segregades pel gat domèstic a l'hora de millorar el benestar de lleons que viuen en un zoo. Utilitzades en forma de gel difusor i col·locades per tot el tancat que envoltava les instal·lacions dels animals, s'ha comprovat que augmenten la quantitat de temps que els lleons dediquen a "jugar", a comportaments socials i a tenir activitat, i redueixen l'ansietat i l'estrès ocasionat per la captivitat.Los felinos se comunican mediante feromonas. Un estudio ha puesto a prueba la efectividad de dos feromonas segregadas por el gato doméstico a la hora de mejorar el bienestar de leones que viven en un zoo. Utilizadas en forma de gel difusor y colocadas por todo el cerrado que rodeaba las instalaciones de los animales, se ha comprobado que aumentan la cantidad de tiempo que los leones dedican a "jugar", a comportamientos sociales y a tener actividad, y reducen la ansiedad y el estrés ocasionado por el cautiverio.Felines use pheromones to communicate. A study tested the effectiveness of two pheromones secreted by the domestic cat in improving the welfare of lions living in a zoo. In gel diffusor form and placed around the animals' enclosure, it was found that they increase the quantity of time that lions employ in "play", in social behaviour and activity, and reduce the anxiety and stress caused by captivity

Sex differences in group composition and habitat use of Iberian free-range pigs

The aim of the present work was to study group size, group composition and habitat use of Iberian pigs along the year when reared outdoor. This consists of a regimen in which animals are reared free range from 2 months of age until at least 14 months of age. In a first stage, animals are supplemented with concentrates, and in a second, called montanera, pigs eat just natural resources in areas with no more than two pigs per hectare. In these systems, males are castrated to avoid boar taint and females spayed to avoid the attraction and mounting by wild boars. The study was carried out in five different farms allocated in the south-west of Spain during 2 consecutive years, from March 2012 to February 2014, under the montanera regimen, and with a total of 995 animals observed (498 males and 497 females). The data were analyzed with SAS by means of general models and proc mixed. Mean group size along the year was of 17 ± 12.9 individuals, but this was significantly lower (P < 0.05) during the montanera (12 ± 0.8) and at midday (13 ± 0.8). Groups were bigger (P < 0.05) when they were more than 50 m from a tree (23 ± 1.8), or <10 m from the shelter (25 ± 1.5), the feeding area (31 ± 3.1) and the water-bath area (25 ± 1.5). Nine percent of the groups were solitary animals, being higher (P = 0.0286) during the montanera (11%) than the rest of the year (8%) and being formed in 68% by males. Males were less involved in mixed groups than were females (75% vs. 91%), especially in spring, where the largest (P < 0.0001) male groups were found. Female groups were less frequent and smaller (P < 0.0001) than were male and mixed groups. In conclusion, although males were castrated at a very young age, they showed a different behavior than females, forming in bachelor groups during the spring and being less involved in mixed groups and with more solitary animals. During the montanera, when animals were feeding on acorns and other natural resources, groups were smaller and closer to the trees, solitary males reaching a maximum percent.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Environmental and Management Factors Affecting the Time Budgets of Free-Ranging Iberian Pigs Reared in Spain

Understanding the natural behaviour of pigs in free-range conditions facilitates interpretation of their behaviour in intensive conditions. Studying six different farms over two years at different seasons, with climatic and management variations, allowed for a general description of Iberian pig behaviour and which factors have an influence on it. The main activity found was resting (56.5% of the time observed), followed by exploratory behaviour. However, this exploratory behaviour was higher when animals were fed only with natural resources than when fed with concentrates (50% versus 17.8%, respectively). In addition, pigs used bathing areas in summer that were not visited in winter. Negative social behaviour was seen more frequently than positive social behaviour, accounting, in total, for 1% of the total activity of animals. Pigs situated at the centre of the groups tended to remain more relaxed, while the peripheral animals remained more alert and vigilant. Our results indicate that foraging behaviour accounts for a significant proportion of pigs’ active time, but this proportion is much more reduced when pigs are fed concentrates. Therefore, behavioural needs in pigs reared in intensive conditions should consider that exploratory behaviour is reduced when pigs are fed with concentratesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evaluación del comportamiento y bienestar del cerdo ibérico en montanera

Los objetivos de esta tesis son describir el comportamiento del cerdo ibérico en extensivo, discernir qué factores lo condicionan; saber cómo se agrupan los animales a lo largo del año, si diferentes condicionantes del entorno tienen alguna influencia y, por último, probar si existen diferencias en la calidad de la carne de animales castrados, inmunocastrados o hembras enteras también criadas en extensivo. Para los dos primeros objetivos se realizaron observaciones de campo en seis explotaciones de Extremadura durante las fases de engorde y finalización en montanera. Esto es, desde la primera primavera de los animales, con unos seis meses de edad, hasta su sacrificio a finales del siguiente invierno, durante dos temporadas de 2012 a 2014. En cuanto a los patrones de actividad, se observó que dedicaban el 56% del tiempo a descansar y el 28% a explorar, viéndose afectados (P<0,05) por la estación del año, la presentación de lluvia o niebla, la dependencia o no de personas para alimentarse y la posición central o periférica dentro del grupo. Sin embargo, no se detectaron diferencias en cuanto al sexo o al estado reproductivo de los animales. Era en verano cuando los cerdos utilizaban más la charca (8%), dejándola en desuso en invierno (P<0,0001), cuando, la entrada en montanera determinaba que dedicasen más tiempo a explorar (del 18 al 50%) (P<0,0001). Los animales situados en la periferia de los grupos estaban más vigilantes y activos que los centrales (P<0,0001), que solían permanecer más tiempo tumbados (P=0,0302). En definitiva, el cerdo ibérico en extensivo requiere una charca acondicionada en verano y su actividad exploratoria se incrementa cuando pasa de ser alimentado con pienso a depender sólo de los recursos naturales. En cuanto a la formación de grupos, solo una parte pequeña (el 9%) de todos los animales fueron encontrados en solitario, siendo machos la mayoría. El tamaño medio de los grupos, aunque las piaras podían estar integradas por más de cien individuos, era de 2 a 25 cerdos, presentando los tamaños más pequeños durante la montanera (P<0,0001). Los grupos más grandes se observaron en zonas abiertas (P<0,0001), en el comedero (P<0,0001) o cerca de las casetas (P<0,0001) y correspondieron principalmente a grupos formados solamente por machos (P<0,0001). Así pues, se observaron diferencias claras en la forma de agruparse de machos y hembras; siendo las hembras más propensas a los grupos pequeños y de tipo mixto y, los machos, a grupos más grandes y de tipo sólo machos. No obstante, durante la montanera, los grupos de machos se reducían y los machos incrementaban su presencia en grupos mixtos y en solitario. Con estos resultados concluimos que los cerdos ibéricos prefieren segregarse a la hora de buscar alimento y reagruparse cuando no disponen de la protección de los árboles o para el acceso a determinados espacios, aunque muestran preferencias distintas en cuanto al tipo de grupo y tamaño según el sexo. Para el tercer objetivo se trabajó con 83 cerdos y cerdas castrados quirúrgicamente o inmunocastrados a los 11, 12 y 14 meses de edad y cerdas enteras. Tras su sacrificio a los 16 meses, se analizó la calidad de la carne y se realizó un análisis sensorial para evaluar las diferencias entre los diferentes tratamientos. En el caso de los machos, la inmunocastración dio lugar a carne más magra (P=0,0001) y con menos grasa infiltrada (P<0,005); en cambio, de las hembras se obtuvieron productos muy similares entre sí. De este modo, tanto las hembras enteras como las inmunocastradas (en el caso de presencia de jabalí) han demostrado tener un potencial en el mercado del cerdo ibérico, como una alternativa con mayor bienestar.The objectives of this thesis are to describe the behavior of the Iberian pig in extensive conditions, what factors affect it, how animals are grouped throughout the year and the influence some environmental conditions may have and, finally, to prove if there are differences in the quality of the meat of castrated animals, immunocastrated or whole females reared in extensive. For the first two objectives, field observations were made on six farms in Extremadura during the fattening and finishing phases in montanera. This is, from the first spring of the animals, with about six months of age, until its slaughter at the end of the following winter, during two seasons from 2012 to 2014. Regarding the activity patterns, it was observed that 56% of time was dedicated to rest and 28% to explore, being affected (P<0.05) by the season, the presentation of rain or fog, the independence or dependence on people to feed them and the central or peripheral position within the group. However, no differences were detected in terms of sex or reproductive status of the animals. It was in the summer when pigs used the pond the most (8%), leaving it without use in winter (P <0.0001), when, the entrance in montanera determined that they spent more time exploring (from 18 to 50%) (P <0.0001). The animals located in the periphery of the groups were more vigilant and active than the central ones (P <0.0001), which used to remain longer lying down (P = 0.0302). In short, the Iberian pig in extensive requires a conditioned pond in summer and its exploratory activity increases when it goes from being fed with concentrate to depend only on natural resources. As for the formation of groups, only a small part (9%) of all the animals were found alone, with males being the majority. The average size of the groups, although the herds could be integrated by more than one hundred individuals, was from 2 to 25 pigs, presenting the smallest sizes during the montanera (P <0.0001). The largest groups were observed in open areas (P <0.0001), in the feeder (P <0.0001) or near the pens (P <0.0001) and corresponded mainly to groups formed by males only (P <0.0001). Thus, clear differences were observed in the grouping of males and females; the females being more prone to small and mixed-type groups and, the males, to larger and only-male groups. However, during the montanera, the groups of males were reduced and the males increased their presence in mixed groups and alone. With these results we conclude that Iberian pigs prefer to segregate when looking for food and reunite when they do not have the protection of trees or access to certain spaces, although they show different preferences in terms of type of group and size according to sex. For the third objective we worked with 83 pigs and sows surgically castrated or immunocastrated at 11, 12 and 14 months of age and whole sows. After slaughter at 16 months, the quality of the meat was analyzed and a sensory analysis was performed to evaluate the differences between the different treatments. In the case of males, immunocastration gave rise to leaner meat (P = 0.0001) and less infiltrated fat (P <0.005); on the other hand, very similar products were obtained from the females. In this way, both whole and immunocastrated females (in the case of the presence of wild boar) have shown potential in the Iberian pig market, as an alternative with greater welfare

Enriquiment sensorial amb feromones per millorar el benestar de lleons en captivitat

Els felins es comuniquen mitjançant feromones. Un estudi ha posat a prova l'efectivitat de dues feromones segregades pel gat domèstic a l'hora de millorar el benestar de lleons que viuen en un zoo. Utilitzades en forma de gel difusor i col·locades per tot el tancat que envoltava les instal·lacions dels animals, s'ha comprovat que augmenten la quantitat de temps que els lleons dediquen a "jugar", a comportaments socials i a tenir activitat, i redueixen l'ansietat i l'estrès ocasionat per la captivitat.Los felinos se comunican mediante feromonas. Un estudio ha puesto a prueba la efectividad de dos feromonas segregadas por el gato doméstico a la hora de mejorar el bienestar de leones que viven en un zoo. Utilizadas en forma de gel difusor y colocadas por todo el cerrado que rodeaba las instalaciones de los animales, se ha comprobado que aumentan la cantidad de tiempo que los leones dedican a "jugar", a comportamientos sociales y a tener actividad, y reducen la ansiedad y el estrés ocasionado por el cautiverio.Felines use pheromones to communicate. A study tested the effectiveness of two pheromones secreted by the domestic cat in improving the welfare of lions living in a zoo. In gel diffusor form and placed around the animals' enclosure, it was found that they increase the quantity of time that lions employ in "play", in social behaviour and activity, and reduce the anxiety and stress caused by captivity

Evaluación del comportamiento y bienestar del cerdo ibérico en montanera /

Los objetivos de esta tesis son describir el comportamiento del cerdo ibérico en extensivo, discernir qué factores lo condicionan; saber cómo se agrupan los animales a lo largo del año, si diferentes condicionantes del entorno tienen alguna influencia y, por último, probar si existen diferencias en la calidad de la carne de animales castrados, inmunocastrados o hembras enteras también criadas en extensivo. Para los dos primeros objetivos se realizaron observaciones de campo en seis explotaciones de Extremadura durante las fases de engorde y finalización en montanera. Esto es, desde la primera primavera de los animales, con unos seis meses de edad, hasta su sacrificio a finales del siguiente invierno, durante dos temporadas de 2012 a 2014. En cuanto a los patrones de actividad, se observó que dedicaban el 56% del tiempo a descansar y el 28% a explorar, viéndose afectados (P 0,05) por la estación del año, la presentación de lluvia o niebla, la dependencia o no de personas para alimentarse y la posición central o periférica dentro del grupo. Sin embargo, no se detectaron diferencias en cuanto al sexo o al estado reproductivo de los animales. Era en verano cuando los cerdos utilizaban más la charca (8%), dejándola en desuso en invierno (P 0,0001), cuando, la entrada en montanera determinaba que dedicasen más tiempo a explorar (del 18 al 50%) (P 0,0001). Los animales situados en la periferia de los grupos estaban más vigilantes y activos que los centrales (P 0,0001), que solían permanecer más tiempo tumbados (P=0,0302). En definitiva, el cerdo ibérico en extensivo requiere una charca acondicionada en verano y su actividad exploratoria se incrementa cuando pasa de ser alimentado con pienso a depender sólo de los recursos naturales. En cuanto a la formación de grupos, solo una parte pequeña (el 9%) de todos los animales fueron encontrados en solitario, siendo machos la mayoría. El tamaño medio de los grupos, aunque las piaras podían estar integradas por más de cien individuos, era de 2 a 25 cerdos, presentando los tamaños más pequeños durante la montanera (P 0,0001). Los grupos más grandes se observaron en zonas abiertas (P 0,0001), en el comedero (P 0,0001) o cerca de las casetas (P 0,0001) y correspondieron principalmente a grupos formados solamente por machos (P 0,0001). Así pues, se observaron diferencias claras en la forma de agruparse de machos y hembras; siendo las hembras más propensas a los grupos pequeños y de tipo mixto y, los machos, a grupos más grandes y de tipo sólo machos. No obstante, durante la montanera, los grupos de machos se reducían y los machos incrementaban su presencia en grupos mixtos y en solitario. Con estos resultados concluimos que los cerdos ibéricos prefieren segregarse a la hora de buscar alimento y reagruparse cuando no disponen de la protección de los árboles o para el acceso a determinados espacios, aunque muestran preferencias distintas en cuanto al tipo de grupo y tamaño según el sexo. Para el tercer objetivo se trabajó con 83 cerdos y cerdas castrados quirúrgicamente o inmunocastrados a los 11, 12 y 14 meses de edad y cerdas enteras. Tras su sacrificio a los 16 meses, se analizó la calidad de la carne y se realizó un análisis sensorial para evaluar las diferencias entre los diferentes tratamientos. En el caso de los machos, la inmunocastración dio lugar a carne más magra (P=0,0001) y con menos grasa infiltrada (P 0,005); en cambio, de las hembras se obtuvieron productos muy similares entre sí. De este modo, tanto las hembras enteras como las inmunocastradas (en el caso de presencia de jabalí) han demostrado tener un potencial en el mercado del cerdo ibérico, como una alternativa con mayor bienestar.The objectives of this thesis are to describe the behavior of the Iberian pig in extensive conditions, what factors affect it, how animals are grouped throughout the year and the influence some environmental conditions may have and, finally, to prove if there are differences in the quality of the meat of castrated animals, immunocastrated or whole females reared in extensive. For the first two objectives, field observations were made on six farms in Extremadura during the fattening and finishing phases in montanera. This is, from the first spring of the animals, with about six months of age, until its slaughter at the end of the following winter, during two seasons from 2012 to 2014. Regarding the activity patterns, it was observed that 56% of time was dedicated to rest and 28% to explore, being affected (P 0.05) by the season, the presentation of rain or fog, the independence or dependence on people to feed them and the central or peripheral position within the group. However, no differences were detected in terms of sex or reproductive status of the animals. It was in the summer when pigs used the pond the most (8%), leaving it without use in winter (P 0.0001), when, the entrance in montanera determined that they spent more time exploring (from 18 to 50%) (P 0.0001). The animals located in the periphery of the groups were more vigilant and active than the central ones (P 0.0001), which used to remain longer lying down (P = 0.0302). In short, the Iberian pig in extensive requires a conditioned pond in summer and its exploratory activity increases when it goes from being fed with concentrate to depend only on natural resources. As for the formation of groups, only a small part (9%) of all the animals were found alone, with males being the majority. The average size of the groups, although the herds could be integrated by more than one hundred individuals, was from 2 to 25 pigs, presenting the smallest sizes during the montanera (P 0.0001). The largest groups were observed in open areas (P 0.0001), in the feeder (P 0.0001) or near the pens (P 0.0001) and corresponded mainly to groups formed by males only (P 0.0001). Thus, clear differences were observed in the grouping of males and females; the females being more prone to small and mixed-type groups and, the males, to larger and only-male groups. However, during the montanera, the groups of males were reduced and the males increased their presence in mixed groups and alone. With these results we conclude that Iberian pigs prefer to segregate when looking for food and reunite when they do not have the protection of trees or access to certain spaces, although they show different preferences in terms of type of group and size according to sex. For the third objective we worked with 83 pigs and sows surgically castrated or immunocastrated at 11, 12 and 14 months of age and whole sows. After slaughter at 16 months, the quality of the meat was analyzed and a sensory analysis was performed to evaluate the differences between the different treatments. In the case of males, immunocastration gave rise to leaner meat (P = 0.0001) and less infiltrated fat (P 0.005); on the other hand, very similar products were obtained from the females. In this way, both whole and immunocastrated females (in the case of the presence of wild boar) have shown potential in the Iberian pig market, as an alternative with greater welfare