N. Rácz-Cservenák, G. Holló, University of Agricultural Science, BEHAVIOURAL ASPECTS OF ANIMAL WELFARE IN CONSTRUCTING UP-TO-DATE HOUSING SYSTEMS (Review) N. Rácz-Cservenák, G. Holló, M. Wittmann, E. Szűcs University of Agricultural Science, Gödöllő (Hungary)

Introduction High-producing animals require adequate housing and feeding systems Behaviour of animals reflects reactions to internal and external stimuli Adverse effect of intensive housing of domestic animals might be due to unfavourable environmental conditions resulting in frustrations in behaviour (stereotypes) Definition of animal welfare means harmony among animals and environmental factors. Animals have the rights to move, lie, stand, rest and groom

Factors affecting behaviour of cattle Warming of drinking water exerts positive effect both on water consumption and milk yield (Dolezal et al., 1997) Grazing time and bite rate increases due to shorter swards in pasture (Mols et al. 1997) Grazing time is influenced by the stage of pregnancy. Heifers close to parturition tend to spend less time grazing, but lactating cows spent more time grazing in late pregnancy (Fürst et al., 1997)

Placing timbers on slatted floor resulted in increased use of cubicles by cows for rest, the extent of which was 8% according to experiments conducted in China (Bao et al., 1996) Cows kept on deep litter spend longer time in associative behaviour during heat and have fewer unsuccessful mounting attempts. Reduced frequency of hoof problems were recorded in cubicle shed, a predisposing factor to lameness. Deep litter provides greater opportunity for normal behaviour (Phillips et al., 1994)

Drier ground surface in larger dry lot (200 m2) was achieved than in smaller one (100 m2) resulting in cleaner cows and a reduction of washing time of udders prior to milking (Müller et al., 1996) At first standing heat heifers raised in boxes on slatted floor were 20 kg heavier than in tie stalls. Grazing results in positive effect on movement behaviour, ease of handling and temperament at milking (Foldager et al., 1993) Standing of cows in loose housing is longer than in stanchion barn (Kraszewski et al., 1996)

Social hierarchy do establish in small herds, but no influence of ranking relationships exists within large herds (Fraser, 1974) In groups consisting of approx.. 30 individuals daily time spent standing and/or idling tends to increase (50%) with simultaneous reduction of time spent resting (45-50%) (Szűcs et al., 1992) Milk yield of cows increased when listening to classical music during milking, whereas rock, country and western music seems to reduce milk yield with the most adverse effect in case of the last one (Albright et al., 1997)

Behaviour and aspects of welfare in pigs The longest period of lying time in sows is at 3rd day after farrowing. The longest time of activities and the highest frequency of getting up was at 21st day after farrowing (Botto et al., 1997) Provision of straw increases the number of visits to feeder, and are of shorter duration. Pigs on straw have higher growth rate and higher aggressive incidents than those without (Morgan et al., 1998) Provision of straw greatly reduce the stereotyped oral and other activities (Fraser, 1975)

Relationships between fear of humans and reproductive performance of pigs are well-known r=-0.55 (Hemsworth et al., 1981, 1989) No differences exist between behavioural responses of boars and sows to unfamiliar humans. Daily gain and carcass quality positively correlate with activity parameters (r=+0.2; +0.5) (Zhuchaev et al. 1997) Communication between humans and weaned pigs while receiving handling treatment were studied by Tanida et al. (1993). Response of the pigs toward the experimenter was either contact or avoiding (Fig. 1, Fig. 2)

Fig. 1. The sequence of behaviour of pigs toward the experimenter (Tanida et al., 1993) ST: standing S: sitting K: kneeling down LST:lying on stomach LS: lying on side FP: putting front legs on experimenter L: leaning on LV: leaning over I: ignoring

Fig. 2. The mean percentage of time spent on each behaviour in pigs (Tanida et al., 1993) ST: standing S: sitting K: kneeling down LST:lying on stomach LS: lying on side FP: putting front legs on experimenter L: leaning on LV: leaning over I: ignoring C: crowding

Level of aggressive behaviour by sows increases in larger groups (Taylor et al., 1997) Behaviour of groups of pregnant and lactating sows is most strongly related to the stage of reproductive cycle (Buckner et al., 1998) Group housing of non-lactating sows is generally believed to be better than individual housing, but it may not eliminate stereotype behaviour (Spoolder, 1998) Bad floors can cause aggression, injuries and tail-biting that result in lack of welfare, and low production (Wittmann, 1997)

Conclusions Welfare means harmony among farm animals and environmental conditions Comfort and behaviour of animals are important welfare indicators Significance of communication between humans and animals has been recognised from the productivity and animal-welfare point of view Optimal space, food, drinking water, rest and freedom for movement are needed in housing systems for animals to meet requirements for welfare