The aim of this study, carried out in the Tuscany Region (Italy), was to compare the animal welfare in conventional and organic dairy sheep farms. Recordings were performed on 4 farms (2 conventional and 2 organic) selected for large flock size (average: 725,00±64,55 heads) and 4 farms (2 conventional and 2 organic) selected for small flock size (average: 145,00±52,60 heads). A single trained observer performed the evaluation, using a derived protocol by Animal Needs Index (ANI 35 L), which relies on 7 assessment sheets. Only one visit was carried out in each farm. Modifications of ANI 35 L protocol were referred to animal based indicators: skin lesions and integument alterations, cleanliness, hooves conditions, lameness, evaluated on the basis of theirs prevalence (number of affected animals/number of observed animals). Longevity and mutilations, scored in terms presence/absence, were also included. The total derived ANI 35 L score (average: 48,37±7,53; min 36,00; max 58,50) for the different farming method (organic vs conventional) and flock size (large vs small) was analysed by non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test. No significant differences were observed between organic/conventional farms and large/small herds. The obtained results might be explained by the negligible difference in dairy sheep production: despite of farming methods and flock size, all rearing systems were extensive. Further investigations are required to improve the derived ANI 35 L protocol on dairy sheep farm; in particular, animal based indicators should be tested on farm to evaluate their validity in relation to specific variables (e.g. season, shearing) possibly affected the welfare assessment.

Assessment of dairy sheep welfare in conventional and organics farms / L. Grosso, V. Ferrante, S. Barbieri, A. Porcu, C. Lotti, A. Martini - In: Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Animal ScienceBelgrade : University of Belgrade : Faculty of Agriculture, 2012. - ISBN 978-86-7834-164-9. - pp. 360-366 (( Intervento presentato al 1. convegno International Symposium on Animal Science tenutosi a Belgrade, Serbia nel 2012.

Assessment of dairy sheep welfare in conventional and organics farms

L. Grosso
Primo
;
V. Ferrante
Secondo
;
S. Barbieri;
2012

Abstract

The aim of this study, carried out in the Tuscany Region (Italy), was to compare the animal welfare in conventional and organic dairy sheep farms. Recordings were performed on 4 farms (2 conventional and 2 organic) selected for large flock size (average: 725,00±64,55 heads) and 4 farms (2 conventional and 2 organic) selected for small flock size (average: 145,00±52,60 heads). A single trained observer performed the evaluation, using a derived protocol by Animal Needs Index (ANI 35 L), which relies on 7 assessment sheets. Only one visit was carried out in each farm. Modifications of ANI 35 L protocol were referred to animal based indicators: skin lesions and integument alterations, cleanliness, hooves conditions, lameness, evaluated on the basis of theirs prevalence (number of affected animals/number of observed animals). Longevity and mutilations, scored in terms presence/absence, were also included. The total derived ANI 35 L score (average: 48,37±7,53; min 36,00; max 58,50) for the different farming method (organic vs conventional) and flock size (large vs small) was analysed by non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test. No significant differences were observed between organic/conventional farms and large/small herds. The obtained results might be explained by the negligible difference in dairy sheep production: despite of farming methods and flock size, all rearing systems were extensive. Further investigations are required to improve the derived ANI 35 L protocol on dairy sheep farm; in particular, animal based indicators should be tested on farm to evaluate their validity in relation to specific variables (e.g. season, shearing) possibly affected the welfare assessment.
Dairy sheep ; animal welfare ; monitoring scheme ; animal based indicators
Settore AGR/19 - Zootecnica Speciale
2012
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/222041
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