Ethology, Welfare and Animal Protection

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Objectives

1.Learn about the thought evolution of behavior and welfare farm species, companion and research animals.
2.Understand the main approaches to welfare assessment of the farm species, companion and research animals.
3.Know the five freedoms concept and understand the main limitations of its application to production animals.
4.Understand the diversity and characteristics of behaviors and their relationship with the welfare of farm species in
production and in experimental environment.
5.Identify, in an integrated manner, the main technological advances in the farm species, companion and research animals and their impact animal welfare.
6. Practical application of Five Freedoms concept on main farm species. Examples from the Welfare Quality project..
Example of protocols for poultry, pigs and cattle.
7.Welfare legislation for the various farm species, companion and research animals.

Program

1)Origin and evolution of animal ethology and welfare in production and experimentation.
2)Definitions and concepts for ethology and animal welfare.
3)Application of Five Freedoms concept to the main farm species. Principle of 3 R in animal experimentation.
4) Assessment of animal welfare.
a)Using behavior
i)ethogram concept
ii)methods and techniques for behavior assessment
b).using physiological responses
i)respiratory, cardiac rhythm and blood pressure
ii hormones, enzymes, neuro-transmitters,
iii)methods and techniques
5) Ethology and welfare in farm animal species
a)cattle,
b)sheep,
c)goat,
d)swine,
e)poultry,
f)horses,
g)rabbits,
h)fish
i)Welfare Quality project example
6)Ethology and welfare in dog and cat
7)Ethology and animal welfare during transport and at slaughter.
8)Technological development and welfare of main farm species, companion and research animals.
9)Organic production and animal welfare.
10)Welfare legislation for the various species.

Teaching Methodologies

The 4 ECTS correspond to 108h of work, being 45h lectures. In the theoretical lectures will be exposed the behavior and welfare concepts of the program. In practical classes will give examples on matters related to the behavior and welfare of animals. Whenever possible the teaching will be conducted in the production or experimental environment at or in other units. Arising from the teaching of practical class queries about ethology and animal welfare will be produced. It will also be conducted a review of scientific and technical ethology and animal welfare subject. The assessment of this work will be performed through report and oral defense. The evaluation of the theoretical and practical concepts will be carried out under test or examination. The final ranking will be obtained giving a weight of 30% to the average practical evaluation and 70% to the test. The student, who has a score greater than 10 values and satisfying admission to examination conditions, is approved.

Bibliography

Animal Welfare (2011). Edited by M C Appleby, B O Hughes, J A Mench, A Olsson.
The Welfare of Animals (2009). Edited by Clive Phillips.
Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare (2007). Edited by D M Broom and Andrew F Fraser.
The Sciences of Animal Welfare (2009). Edited by D. J. Mellor, E. Patterson-Kane and K. J. Stafford.
Adam Miklosi (2007). Dog Behaviour, Evolution and Cognition. .
T. Grandin (2007). Livestock Handling and Transport.
Silva, S.R., Monteiro, D.O., e J.C Almeida. (2007). Aplicação de novos desenvolvimentos tecnológicos na produção animal: Impacto no bem-estar.
Animal Welfare and Meat Science (1998). Edited by G. Neville and T. Grandin.

Code

01100178

ECTS Credits

3

Classes

  • Orientação Tutorial - 2 hours
  • Práticas e Laboratórios - 14 hours
  • Teóricas - 21 hours