Search

Data are available in the scientific literature concerning the quality and usefulness of donkey milk for human consumption. However, there is a lack of studies related to the understanding of the welfare of dairy donkeys. The only attempt, at a European Union level, to assess the welfare of donkeys is that of the Animal Welfare Indicator's (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for donkeys, where the appropriate nutrition welfare criteria have been assessed, but only through the evaluation of the body condition score. However, several other indicators that take into account the importance of good feeding welfare principles should be considered for the correct management of dairy donkeys. Therefore, it is hoped that this review of the available scientific literature will be useful to help establish a set of appropriate welfare requirements and indicators for the management of dairy donkeys. The review is aimed at identifying and discussing other requirements and indicators, such as nutritional requirements, farm management requirements and animal-based indicators, which may be important for the correct assessment of the appropriate nutrition welfare criteria and to establish best practices for the feeding of dairy donkeys.

There is not a welfare protocol for horses reared for meat production in semi-extensive systems. The aims of the study were to develop a specific welfare protocol suitable to be applied at pasture and on stable; and to evaluate whether the welfare items were influenced by the farming system (pasture vs stable). 52 non-animal-based measures (N-ABMs) and 14 animal-based measures (ABMs), classified into 6 thematic areas (training, feeding, facilities, ABMs, biosecurity, health management) were selected by a focus group. The protocol was applied on a total of 429 Catria horses located across 26 pastures during the warm seasons and on 7 stables during the cold seasons. Differences obtained within each horse-unit were calculated by using the diversity index (VARNC) and the distance from the ideal (dfi) index. Chi-square test was used for comparing the relative frequencies (%) of the answers (pasture vs stable). Most the welfare items were classified as adequate in both pasture and stable, yet differences were found within 'training' (p = 0.02) and 'feeding' (p < 0.01) areas in relation to the welfare items 'inspection of the animals' and 'feeding management'. Weaknesses of both pasture and stable were represented by some welfare items in the 'health management' and 'biosecurity' areas. After proper validation, the welfare protocol developed in the present study could help to fill the existing gap of knowledge on horse welfare assessment for semi-extensive system systems, providing support for official control of veterinarians and enabling the identification of key weakness to address preventive interventions. HIGHLIGHTS: A welfare protocol suitable for pasture and stable was developed Key weakness can be identified to address preventive interventions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore the connection between horses' total tract apparent dry matter digestibility (ttaDMD) of various roughages and faecal particle size (FPS), to develop a tool to rank roughage digestibility. Six horses, varying in size and breed, were fed six distinct roughages (four cuts of fescue, perennial ryegrass/clover mix, and straw). Each feeding period lasted 16 days, with a 14-day adaptation phase. Faecal samples underwent wet sieving analysis. Roughage chemical composition was evaluated using NIRs. Faecal and roughage acid insoluble ash content were used to estimate ttaDMD and FPS was determined by wet sieving using a set of 6 sieves of different mesh sizes (S1 to S6; 6.50, 4.50, 2.36, 1.18, 0.6 and 0.15 mm respectively). The effects of roughage ttaDMD on FPS across sieves were analysed using GLM. Linear regressions and correlations were performed between faecal residues on each sieve and mesh sizes of the sieves to create a mathematical tool to rank ttaDMD based on FPS distribution. Increased ttaDMD was associated with larger FPS, with perennial ryegrass/clover mix (ttaDMD 74.44%) and straw (ttaDMD 44.57%) resulting in smaller and larger faecal particles respectively. Correlations were observed between ttaDMD, S1 and S2 (r = 0.639 and 0.668; p ≤ 0.001). The angular coefficient of the linear function between faecal residues on each sieve support the idea to estimate roughages digestibility from FPS (R2 = 0.4153). Consequently, determining faecal residues across sieves of varying mesh sizes could serve as an indirect method for ranking roughages digestibility. HIGHLIGHTS: Faecal particle size is related to roughage digestibility. Roughage digestibility can be ranked by faecal sieving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 92 female donkeys. Blood samples were collected, and the following parameters were evaluated: red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte (MON), eosinophil (EOS) and basophil counts, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and the hematocrit (HCT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase, total proteins, γ-glutamyl-transferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen and electrophoretic profile. Age (≥2 years ≤ 3 [very young], >3 years ≤ 10 [young], and >10 years ≤ 17 [adult]) and lactation (early lactation [≤3 months], middle [>3 months ≤ 6], and late lactation [>6 months]). Groups were independently analyzed using one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis (post hoc test: Bonferroni's or Dunn's multiple test) tests; P was set as

Slow feeding devices (SFDs) are useful tools in order to improve the horse well‐being and to reduce wastage, but their use may result in unnatural posture during feeding and frustration behaviours. Moreover, it may be important to evaluate the laterality during feeding. The aim of the study was to investigate ponies' feeding behaviour (i.e., lateralisation, frustration, postural eating style) with different hay feeding methods: on the ground (G), a fully filled hay net (HF), a partially filled hay net (HL), and a slow feeder hay box (HB). Nine ponies of two different breed types (Shetland and Welsh/Cob) were evaluated. Video recordings were obtained and then behavioural analysis was conducted. Data were analysed statistically using k‐means cluster analysis, repeated measurement mixed model procedure, principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Head tilting was more often performed during feeding from HF and HL compared to G and HB. Forelimb forward, referring to the position that ponies assumed during feeding, was performed less frequently with the hay nets. Ponies, in particular Welsh/Cobs, tended to be more left‐lateralized and performed more backward ears when feeding from the hay nets. Blink rate was observed to be greater when ponies were fed from G. No head pushing, striking with forelimb and pawing while feeding was seen. Animals fed from HF tended to eat from the top of the hay net and consequently showed an arched neck; while HL and HB showed for elongated neck an intermediate pattern between G and HF. From our results, HB seemed to be a useful compromise between natural feeding on the ground and the use of hay nets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe breeding of lactating donkeys is increasing in Western Europe; with it the evaluation of body condition is growing in importance since it is considered a key principle for their welfare. However, assessment of body condition is a complex task, since several factors are involved. The aim of the present study is to investigate which animal-based indicators are the most reliable to describe the body condition of lactating donkeys. For this purpose, new animal-based indicators, which are easy to measure in field conditions (including body measurements, fatty neck score (FNS), dental score), are recorded and their relationship with BCS (a proxy measure for overall adiposity) was assessed. The ones that reveal an association with the BCS are included in an integrated principal component analysis to understand which are the most related to BCS.MethodsFifty-three healthy lactating donkeys of various breeds, including 7 Martina Franca, 10 Ragusano, 2 Romagnolo and 34 crossbreeds, were evaluated. The animal-based indicators that were recorded were: length (OP, olecranon tuber-pinbone and SH, shoulder-hip), heart girth (HG), abdominal circumference (AC), neck length (NL), neck height (NH) and neck thickness (NT) at 0.50 and neck circumference (NC) at 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75, body condition score (BCS) and fatty neck score (FNS). The owners' evaluation of the BCS was also considered. A dental assessment was performed and the month of lactation and age of each animal was recorded.ResultsNo correlation was found between BCS and the other morphometric body measurements. On the contrary the FNS was correlated with the morphometric measurements of the neck (positive correlation to 0.50 NH and 0.50 NT, 0.50 NC, 0.75 mean NC, and negative correlation to the mean NC:NH and mean NC:NT, 0.50 NC:NT and 0.50 NC:NH ratios). A significant inverse relationship was identified between BCS and dental score. A Principal Component analysis (PCA) separated the BCS classes on the first principal component (PC1). PC1 revealed a meaningful positive correlation between the BCS and the neck measurements (NT, NH and FNS), with high positive loadings, while a negative correlation was found for dental abnormalities. The owners' evaluation of BCS was different from the expert evaluator' assessment, since they tended to give higher score that was slightly but significantly correlated to AC.DiscussionA new scoring system, called Fatty Neck Score (FNS), has been proposed for the judgement of the adiposity status of donkey neck. The results suggest that caregivers might use the proposed animal based indicators (BCS, FNS and dental scores) together as a tool for the evaluation of the body condition of lactating donkeys. Our findings highlight that caregivers need to be trained in order to be able to properly record these indicators. Ultimately use of these indicators may help to improve the welfare of lactating donkeys.

The application of hay feeding devices, such as the use of hay nets or slow feeders, can help with the management of weight in ponies; however, there is still a lack of knowledge regarding their effect on equine posture. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the effect of different feeding devices on the posture of ponies using morphometric analysis. Two different breed types, Shetland type (SH, n = 5) versus Welsh Cob type (WC, n = 4), were fed the same forage in four different ways: on the ground (G), using a fully filled haynet (HF), using a partially filled haynet (HL) and using a slow‐feeder hay box (HB). Video recordings were obtained and then geometric morphometric analysis was applied. Breed morphology was confirmed by body morphometric measurements. Data were analysed statistically using one‐way ANOVA, canonical variate analysis (CVA), principal component analysis (PCA), partial least‐squares (PLS) analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Moreover, a mixed model was performed to study differences in mandibular angle. SH and WC ponies were shown to have significantly different body morphometric measurements. The geometric morphometric analysis results showed that ponies arch their back and modify their neck shape differently according to the feeding method and their morphological group. For the neck, the SH and WC ponies adapted similarly to the use of small‐holed hay nets, but their posture varied when feeding from the ground or hay box. The back postures consistently differed according to the breed type and feeding method. The mandibular angle for both breed types was reduced with all the feeding devices compared to feeding from the ground. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long‐term effects of slow‐feeding devices on posture and mandibular angle, taking into consideration animals with different morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work was to compare the estimated metabolisable energy requirements (MER) of fattening light lambs raised in feedlot with the U. S. National Research Council (NRC) predictions. Body weight (BW) gain and feed intake were collected from 15 pens (7 lambs/pen) of Manchega male lambs under on-farm conditions over six weeks. The pens were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (5 pens/treatment) consisting of three concentrates of different composition and barley straw. Feeds were offered for ad libitum consumption throughout the experimental period. Average daily metabolisable energy intake (MEI) was calculated on a weekly basis for each pen from the average daily consumption of concentrate and barley straw and their respective ME contents. Following, the average daily MER was predicted for each pen from the weekly average of both BW and BW gain, according to two models: One including the adjustment of ME for body maintenance (MEm) for the effect of level of MEI on visceral organ tissue energy use as described by NRC (Model 1), and the other excluding such adjustment (Model 2). Model 1 had no mean bias, and exhibited a higher concordance correlation coefficient and a lower underprediction, supporting the need for the upward adjustment of MEm in accordance with MEI to enhance the precision and accuracy of predicted MER. It was concluded that the NRC method was precise and accurate enough to support its application for calculating the MER of feedlot light lambs. A dataset comprising metabolisable energy (ME) intake and growth performance data of Manchega male lambs was utilised. The lambs' ME requirements were predicted according to the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) methods. Our data agree with NRC predictions, supporting its use in feedlot Manchega lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horses reared for meat production are fed high amounts of cereal grains in comparison with horses raised for other purposes. Such feeding practice may lead to risk of poor welfare consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two feeding practices on selected metabolic parameters and production aspects. Nineteen Bardigiano horses, 14.3 ± 0.7 months of age, were randomly assigned to two groups—one fed with high amounts of cereal grains (HCG; n = 9; 43% hay plus 57% cereal grain‐based pelleted feed) vs. one fed with high amounts of fibre (HFG; n = 10; 70% hay plus 30% pelleted fibrous feed)—for 129 days. At slaught on abattoir, biological and tissue samples were collected to evaluate the microbiological contamination of mesenteric lymph nodes and liver; selected meat quality traits (chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle); and the oxidative status of the horse. A linear mixed model was used: dietary treatment and sex were fixed effects and their interaction analysed on production and metabolic parameters as dependent variables. Results showed an increased intestinal permeability in the horses fed HCG compared to HFG, according to the significant increased total mesophilic aerobic bacteria counts in mesenteric lymph nodes (p = 0.04) and liver samples (p = 0.05). Horses in HCG showed increased muscle pH (p = 0.02), lighter muscle colour (L) (p = 0.01), increased intramuscular fat concentrations (p = 0.03), increased muscle glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). Moreover, horses in HCG had lower muscle water holding capacity at interaction with sex (p = 0.03, lower in female), lower muscle protein content (p = 0.01), lower concentration of muscle PUFAs (p = 0.05) and lower plasma catalase activities (p = 0.05). Our results showed that feeding a high cereal grains diet can have global effects on horse physiology, and thus represents a threat for their welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]