2026
(2026): Analysis of behaviour and utilisation of self-service wallows in fattening pigs. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
attening pigs increasingly face heat stress due to rising temperatures and extreme weather events associated with climate change. In this study, the use of two pig-activated self-service wallows in a structured finishing pen was analysed under practical farm conditions in Germany. Pigs could activate water flow themselves by pressing a button to create wallowing areas on either a solid floor or a slatted concrete floor. A total of 5,562 activations and 1,426 wallowing events were recorded for the solid-floor wallow, compared with 3,830 activations and 550 wallowing events for the slatted-floor wallow. Temperature-humidity indices (THI) ranged from moderate to high levels across two production batches. In the first batch, wallowing activity and duration increased significantly with increasing THI, indicating a clear thermoregulatory response to heat stress. In the summer batch, pigs showed consistently high wallowing activity regardless of further THI increases. The results demonstrate that pigs actively and purposefully used self-service wallows as a behavioural cooling strategy, with a preference for the solid-floor wallow likely related to floor characteristics or positional effects within the pen.(2026): Assessing sensor-based detection of heat stress in weaned piglets using behavioural indicators. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
A temperature-humidity-index (THI) was developed for fattening pigs (De Prekel et al. 2024), however, heat stress (HS) in weaned piglets has scarcely been researched. This study aimed to identify behavioural indicators for HS (BI) and determine a THI-threshold for weaned piglets.
In six pens, BI of weaned piglets (n=144) were analysed in relation to the mean half-hourly THI. Two four-day periods were selected in which the mean daily THI remained below the threshold-value of 75 for two days before the threshold-value was exceeded for two consecutive days. Using half-hourly scan-sampling of video recordings (AXIS-M3206-LVE, Axis-Communications-AB, SWE), BI were examined. BI included the number of animals lying in the manure area (MA), lateral, sternal and without physical contact (BC) within the entire pen. The number of animals exhibiting each BI was then correlated with the corresponding THI-values to identify those most suitable for HS-detecting in weaned piglets. To define thresholds, THI-values were grouped into 1-unit intervals and pairwise comparisons between THI-groups were performed.
Significant moderate correlations between THI and MA (ρ=0.27, p<0.001) and between THI and BC (ρ=0.37, p<0.001) were detected. For MA and BC, a significant difference was found between the THI-groups [74,75) and [75,76) (padj=0.006).
The significant correlations between MA and BC and THI indicate them as suitable indicators for HS-detecting, while the significant difference between the THI-groups suggests that a THI-value of 75 can be interpreted as potential threshold for behavioural changes in weaned piglets. The results represent a significant step toward sensor-based HS-detection to improve animal welfare.
The project was supported by funds of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH) based on a decision of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany via the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) under the strategy for digitalisation in agriculture.(2026): ZERN – Initialprojekt „Zukunftsfähige Mastschweinehaltung“: Erste Ergebnisse zum Tierverhalten. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie (ITTN), Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Gebäude 116, 30173 Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Die Studie untersuchte die Nutzung einer tieraktivierten Mikrosuhle durch Mastschweine in einem strukturierten Haltungssystem mit Auslauf vor dem Hintergrund zunehmender Hitzebelastung infolge des Klimawandels. Schweine konnten über einen selbst zu betätigenden Auslösemechanismus eine Dusche aktivieren und dadurch feuchte Suhlbereiche erzeugen. Ziel war es, den Zusammenhang zwischen thermischer Belastung und Nutzung dieser Mikrosuhlen zu analysieren.
Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sowohl die Anzahl der Duschauslösungen als auch Häufigkeit und Dauer des Suhlverhaltens mit zunehmendem Temperatur-Luftfeuchtigkeits-Index deutlich zunahmen. Dies spricht für eine gezielte thermoregulatorische Nutzung der Mikrosuhlen durch die Tiere bereits bei moderaten klimatischen Belastungen unterhalb bislang diskutierter Hitzestress-Schwellenwerte. Gleichzeitig unterschieden sich die beiden Mikrosuhlen deutlich in ihrer Nutzungsintensität, was vermutlich auf Unterschiede in der Bodenbeschaffenheit und den daraus resultierenden Kühlungseffekten zurückzuführen ist. Insgesamt unterstreichen die Ergebnisse die Bedeutung strukturierter Kühlmöglichkeiten in zukünftigen tiergerechten Haltungssystemen und zeigen, dass Schweine technische Einrichtungen zur Thermoregulation aktiv und bedarfsgerecht nutzen können.(2026): Bioaerosol reductions: paper pads versus wood chips in a multi-stage scrubber of a pig barn. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
A commercial three-stage scrubber of a pig barn usually used to reduce ammonia, odour and dust was investigated regarding the reduction of indicator bioaerosols (mesophilic bacteria, haemolytic streptococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, endotoxins as well as molds and yeasts). The bio-scrubber stage (third stage), was filled half with wood chips and half with paper pads as an alternative material in order to compare the reduction rates. Air samples were taken simultaneously with emission impingers from the untreated air, downstream of the acid scrubber (second stage) and downstream of the two bio-scrubber halves (third stage). The total reduction rate of indicator bacteria was at least 93% throughout all stages. However, both materials in the bio-scrubber stage significantly reduced an additional portion of the bioaerosols and therefore contributed to the overall reduction. This applied equally for endotoxins downstream of the wood chips half. In contrast, the cultivable mold and yeast numbers were not significantly reduced and increased downstream of the wood chips. Considering the reduction of potentially pathogenic bacteria, resistant bacteria and endotoxins of approximately log10, it can be concluded that three-stage scrubbers can mitigate the risk of harmful bioaerosol emissions for residents and animals on neighbouring farms. In terms of the reduction of microorganisms, paper pads can be used as an alternative material to wood chips in the bio-scrubber stage.(2026): TO SIP OR TO SPILL? BEHAVIOUR OF FATTENING PIGS USING A SELF-SERVICE DRINKER. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Die Studie untersuchte, ob Mastschweine bereit sind, aktiv Aufwand zu betreiben, um Wasser aus einem selbstbedienbaren Tränkesystem zu erhalten, obwohl gleichzeitig frei zugängliche konventionelle Tränken verfügbar waren. Dazu wurden in einer strukturierten Mastbucht zwei durch die Tiere selbst aktivierbare Tränken mit handelsüblichen Trogtränken verglichen.
Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Schweine die Selbstbedienungstränken intensiv nutzten und regelmäßig aktivierten. Der Großteil der Aktivierungen führte unmittelbar zu Trinkverhalten, was darauf hindeutet, dass die Nutzung nicht primär explorativ oder spielmotiviert war. Die Nutzungsmuster entsprachen zudem dem natürlichen zirkadianen Trinkrhythmus der Tiere mit einem deutlichen Nachmittagsmaximum. Insgesamt wurden die konventionellen Tränken zwar häufiger besucht, die hohe Anzahl an Aktivierungen der Selbstbedienungstränken zeigt jedoch, dass Schweine bereit sind, operante Handlungen auszuführen, um Zugang zu Wasser zu erhalten. Als möglicher Grund wird diskutiert, dass die bodennahe Wasseraufnahme dem natürlichen Trinkverhalten der Schweine stärker entspricht.(2026): Wenn Kühe umziehen: Verhaltensbeobachtungen nach einem Stallwechsel. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Ein Umzug in einen neuen Stall und die damit verbundene Veränderung der Umgebung können
für Milchkühe Stress bedeuten. Dies gilt insbesondere dann, wenn es durch Umstrukturierung
der Tiergruppen gleichzeitig zu einer Veränderung des sozialen Umfeldes kommt. In diesem in-
itialen Versuch wurde jeweils eine Kuh aus zwei Stallabteilen (Strohabteil vs. Spaltenboden) ei-
nes neu erbauten Milchviehstalls für drei Tage nach der Einstallung mittels Videoaufzeichnungen
kontinuierlich beobachtet. Dabei wurden die Verhaltensweisen Liegen, Fressen, Trinken, Nutzung
der Kuhbürste sowie agonistische Interaktionen erfasst und deskriptiv ausgewertet. Die Ergeb-
nisse zeigten, dass bei beiden Tieren die Frequenz der Futter- sowie Wasseraufnahme über die
beobachteten drei Tage tendenziell abnahm. Dagegen stiegen die Liegezeiten der Tiere an. Beide
Resultate deuten auf eine anfänglich erhöhte Unruhe im Stall bzw. bei den Tieren und einen im
Zeitverlauf eintretenden Gewöhnungsprozess in der neuen Umgebung hin.(2026): ZERN – Zukunft Ernährung Niedersachsen. Universität Göttingen. PDF
BerichtAbstract
Der ZERN-Zwischenbericht 2026 dokumentiert die erste Hälfte des Verbund und Transferprojekts „ZERN - Zukunft Ernährung Niedersachsen".
2025
(2025): Umzugsstress bei Milchkühen? Was lässt sich im Verhalten der Gruppe beobachten?. Stiftung Tierärtzliche Hochschule Hannover / ITTN.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
LANGEHENNIG-PERISTENIDOU, A., RAHMANN, T., KEMPER, N., VOLKMANN, N. (2025): Umzugsstress bei Milchkühen? Was lässt sich im Verhalten der Gruppe beobachten? Stress caused by relocation in dairy cows? What can be observed in the behaviour of the group? DVG-Tagung vom 27. bis 29. November 2025 in Freiburg, 247(2025): Identifying potential synergies and conflicts of animal husbandry for sustainable food system transformation.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
An universal oversimplification of animal husbandry in Europe has lead to a myriad of social and environmental sustainability concerns, and thus a need for system transformation. Variables from the EUROSTAT databank indicative of aspects related to food system transformation were explored using principal component analysis to identify potential synergies and/or conflicts with animal husbandry in Europe. Data available at the regional (NUTS-2) level were included. The analysis results in five principal components which outline regions where trade-offs between e.g. economic viability and equity coincide. Results also point to the need for a nuanced understanding and policy between animal husbandy farm type and its synergy or conflict with environmental and social sustainabililty as well as health and nutrition.(2025): European animal husbandry’s synergies and conflicts within sustainable food system transformation. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
European policy has oversimplified animal husbandry systems, which resulted in negative social and environmental sustainability impacts. Yet, animal husbandry systems are integral for sustainable food systems contributing to food security, livelihoods, while conserving environmental and social systems. We conducted multivariate analysis to investigate the potential synergies and conflicts of animal husbandry within food system transformation. Variables from the EUROSTAT databank indicative of aspects related to food system transformation were explored using principal component analysis. Data available at the regional (NUTS-2) level were included. Eleven variables related to regional animal husbandry systems, economic viability, equity, environment and social sustainability, as well as health and nutrition resulted in five principal components describing European regions. The components highlight potential trade-offs between e.g. economic viability and equity, as well as human health outcomes being dependent on the dominant animal husbandry system within a region. For example, permanent grassland coincides with decreased number of deaths attributed to diabetes (i.e. health and nutrition impacts), whereas regions with a positive increase in livestock units over the past decade correspond with a higher rate of deaths attributed to diabetes. In addition, there exist regions that are characterized by a decreased proportion of low input farms and an increased rate of a household’s inability to afford a meal containing meat every second day. These results highlight the need for promoting a nuanced understanding and subsequent policy of animal husbandry for sustainable food system transformation.(2025): Consumer-oriented perspectives for sustainable animal products and consumption. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover. DOI
SonstigesAbstract
Intensive livestock production faces scrutiny due to ethical and ecological concerns and is increasingly in need of transformation. Outlining the goal of “less but better” animal products as a driver for sustainability transformation, this chapter describes potential transformations within the livestock sector at a techno-science level and thereafter discusses the role consumers play in enabling sustainability transformation success. Using techno-science arguments as marketing tools is not sufficient to gain acceptance for and drive sustainability transformations in the intensive livestock sector. Consumer perspectives, including maintaining sector transparency, understanding price constraints, and overcoming habitual buying behaviour are essential for the success of sustainability transformations in the livestock sector. Due to forthcoming sector disruptions, such as advances in cellular agriculture, the livestock sector should focus on increasing extrinsic and intrinsic quality within its products while creating synergies with other sectors to continue to provide nutritious healthy food for all.(2025): Beef color preferences among U.S. and German beef consumers. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
As part of a more sustainable food system, the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs) 12.3 aims to halve per capita
global food waste by 2030 [1]. In this context, perishable and resource-intensive food products, such as beef, require
particular attention. Food choice behavior is influenced by product color (e.g., [2]), while color preference is
influenced by culture [3]; therefore, recognizing consumer preferences for beef (dis)coloration is crucial to ensuring
the timely marketing of beef products and mitigate food waste. This study aims to quantify and compare US and
German color preferences and necessary discounts to avoid waste for beef throughout fresh beef’s shelf-life; thus
offering valuable insights into U.S. and German consumer preferences of beef color, enabling retailers and
policymakers to come up with targeted strategies to minimize beef waste(2025): Untersuchungen zur Nutzung einer tieraktivierten Mikrosuhle durch Mastschweine. Stiftung Tierärtzliche Hochschule Hannover / ITTN.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Der Klimawandel führt nachweislich zu einem Anstieg der Durchschnittstemperaturen sowie zu einer Häufung extremer Wetterereignisse wie Hitzewellen und Starkniederschlägen (Perkins-Kirkpatrick und Gibson, 2017). So wird in Zukunft die Anzahl der Tage mit potenziellem Hitzestress für Schweine zunehmen. Gleichzeitig kann der Wandel hin zu tiergerechteren Haltungsformen mit Zugang zu Außenbereichen dazu führen, dass die Tiere diesen Extremwetterereignissen in höherem Maße direkt ausgesetzt sind (Renaudeau und Dourmad, 2022). Schweine verfügen über sehr begrenzte physiologische Möglichkeiten der Thermoregulation durch Transpiration. In natürlichen oder freilandnahen Haltungssystemen nutzen Schweine daher vor allem Suhlen zur Abkühlung über Verdunstungskälte (Bracke, 2011, Huynh et al., 2005). Diesem arteigenen, natürlichen Verhalten wird in konventionellen Haltungssystemen bisher selten Rechnung getragen. Ob Schweine technische Alternativen wie Duschen zur Thermoregulation gezielt nutzen, ist bislang unzureichend untersucht. Da die Bildung von Mikrosuhlen durch Duschen technisch möglich ist, erscheint es plausibel, dass Schweine diese insbesondere bei erhöhten Umgebungstemperaturen aktiv nutzen. Außerdem bieten Haltungsformen mit mehreren Aktivitätszonen weitere positive Effekte auf Verhalten und Wohlbefinden der Tiere (Wimmler et al., 2023, Simonsen, 1990). Im Rahmen dieser Untersuchung wurden daher in einem konventionell wirtschaftenden Betrieb Duschen installiert, die durch die Schweine selbständig aktiviert werden konnten. Ziel war es, die Nutzung der Duschen sowie der daraus entstehenden Mikrosuhlen in Abhängigkeit von Temperatur und Luftfeuchtigkeit zu analysieren.(2025): Untersuchungen zur Nutzung einer tieraktivierten Mikrosuhle durch Mastschweine. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Im Rahmen eines Praxisversuchs auf einem konventionellen Mastschweinebetrieb wurde die Nutzung tieraktivierter Mikrosuhlen durch Mastschweine untersucht. Dazu wurden in einer strukturierten Bucht mit Auslauf und Stroheinstreu zwei durch die Tiere selbst aktivierbare Duschen installiert, die nach Betätigung kurzfristig Wasser freisetzten und dadurch feuchte Liegebereiche („Mikrosuhlen“) erzeugten. Ziel der Studie war die Analyse des Suhlverhaltens sowie der Nutzung der Duschen in Abhängigkeit von Temperatur und Temperatur-Feuchtigkeits-Index (THI). Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sowohl die Anzahl suhlender Tiere als auch die Dauer des Suhlens mit zunehmendem THI deutlich anstiegen, was auf eine gezielte thermoregulatorische Nutzung der Mikrosuhlen bei steigender Hitzebelastung hinweist. Gleichzeitig wurde beobachtet, dass die Tiere die Duschen nur selten unmittelbar vor dem Suhlen selbst aktivierten, sodass die Nutzung bereits vorhandener feuchter Bereiche offenbar eine größere Rolle spielte als die aktive Erzeugung neuer Mikrosuhlen. Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Duschen deuteten zudem darauf hin, dass Faktoren wie Bodenbeschaffenheit, Standort oder soziale Interaktionen die Attraktivität der Suhlbereiche beeinflussen könnten. Insgesamt zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass tieraktivierte Mikrosuhlen von Mastschweinen genutzt werden und insbesondere unter wärmeren Umweltbedingungen zur Verhaltens-Thermoregulation beitragen können(2025): Animal board invited review: A biocultural perspective of animal farming systems in Europe. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
•Animal farming systems’ biocultural values have been sidelined by intensification.
•A biocultural diversity lens show biodiversity, climatic, and cultural benefits.
•Examples show livestock as an animal-based solution for landscape sustainability.
•Farming animals can act as transformative agents, creating sustainable landscapes.
•A biocultural approach is key to unlocking the sustainability of animal farming.(2025): Vergleichende Untersuchung zur Vokalisation und zum Verhalten in den ersten Lebenstagen von im Stall und in der Brüterei geschlüpften Masthühnerküken. Stiftung Tierärtzliche Hochschule Hannover / ITTN.
PaperAbstract
In der Masthühnerhaltung findet der gesamte Brutprozess sowie der Schlupf in spezialisierten Brütereien statt. Die geschlüpften Küken werden anschließend zum Mastbetrieb transportiert und dort aufgezogen. Der Schlupf im Stall ist eine Alternative, bei dem der Transport der Bruteier üblicherweise am 18. Inkubationstag erfolgt und der Schlupf der Mastküken erst im Mastbetrieb stattfindet. Das Ziel der vorliegenden Feldstudie war es, das Trink- und Fressverhalten sowie die Vokalisation von konventionell in einer Brüterei geschlüpften Küken (HH) mit im Stall geschlüpften Küken (OH) innerhalb der ersten Masttage zu vergleichen. Dazu wurden videogestützte Verhaltensanalysen durchgeführt sowie einzelne Rufe, basierend auf kontinuierlichen Audioaufnahmen und Geräuschpegelmessungen, erfasst und ausgewertet. Gezeigt wurde, dass beide Schlupfformen erst Futter zu sich nahmen (p < 0,001) und anschließend die Wasseraufnahme statt fand (p = 0,02), wobei die OH-Küken alle Verhaltensweisen früher ausführten. Die Fokustierbeobachtung der OH-Küken zeigte, dass diese nach dem Schlupf im Mittel nach 9:42:10 h (SD: 10:15:17 h) erstmalig Futter aufnahmen und im Mittel 16:04:40 h (SD: 13:01:19 h) nach dem Schlupf an den Nippeltränken tranken. Die HH-Küken nahmen 27:58:20 h (SD: 00:05:06 h) nach dem Schlupf erstmalig Futter auf und tranken im Mittel 29:37:30 h (SD: 03:53:47 h) nach dem Schlupf an den Nippeltränken. Zudem zeigten die HH-Küken, mit einer Differenz von 4,6 dB zu den OH-Küken, einen höheren Geräuschpegel (p < 0,001) und eine höhere Maximalfrequenz der Rufe (p = 0,015), welche im Mittel um 61,8 Hz höher war als bei den OH-Küken. Hinsichtlich der Dauer unterschieden sich die Rufe der Küken beider Schlupfformen im Mittel nicht signifikant. Basierend auf der Zeitspanne bis zur ersten Futter- und Wasseraufnahme und der daraus resultierenden Dauer des Futter- und Wasserentzuges nach dem Schlupf sowie der Vokalisation der einbezogenen Masthühner lässt sich darauf schließen, dass der Schlupf im Stall in der ersten Lebensphase das Wohlbefinden fördert und potenziell das Stressniveau reduzieren kann.(2025): Prüfung sensorgestützter Detektion von Hitzestress bei Aufzuchtferkeln anhand tier-bezogener Indikatoren. Stiftung Tierärtzliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Hitzewellen und begrenzte Möglichkeiten zur Wärmeabgabe in geschlossenen Stallsystemen
begünstigen die Entstehung von Hitzestress in der Schweinehaltung. Kompromisse im
Stallklima durch Kapazitätsüberschreitungen der Lüftungssysteme in Hitzeperioden führen zu
einer Verschärfung der Problematik (Liu et al. 2022). Durch die Früherkennung von Hitzestress
können unverzüglich Gegenmaßnahmen eingeleitet werden, um das Tierwohl, die
Tiergesundheit und die Produktivität zu erhalten. In der intensiven Schweinehaltung ist der
Einsatz von Sensorsystemen nach Fournel et al. (2017) ein vielversprechender Ansatz, da durch
sensorgestützte Systeme das Stallklima und das Tierverhalten kontinuierlich überwacht werden
können. Es wurde eine Temperatur-Feuchte-Index-Formel (THI) für Mastschweine entwickelt,
nach der ab einem Grenzwert von 75 Gefahr für Hitzestress für die Tiere besteht (De Prekel et
al. 2024; NWSCR 1976). Die sensorgestützte Detektion von Hitzestress in der Ferkelaufzucht
ist eine Herausforderung, welche bisher nicht im Fokus der Forschung stand. Ziel dieser Studie
war es, verhaltensbezogene Parameter für die Detektion von Hitzestress in der Aufzucht zu
identifizieren und zu prüfen, welcher THI-Grenzwert für Aufzuchtferkel geeignet ist.(2025): Addressing retail meat waste: insights from a focus group study on discolored beef. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
In order to market beef products in a timely and profitable manner, it is crucial to understand consumer purchasing behavior, including preferences for beef color. This qualitative study provides a detailed understanding of U.S. consumer perceptions of beef color and discoloration to inform retailers and policymakers on strategies to reduce retail beef waste. Colorado beef consumers were asked about their understanding of factors related to beef color, shelf life, and meat waste in four focus groups. Participants associated a bright cherry beef color with freshness, eating satisfaction, and overall beef quality. Most participants rejected discolored beef steaks, associating a brownish color to concerns about toughness, dryness, and food safety. They did not link their personal purchasing patterns to retail beef waste. Results from focus groups suggest that informational marketing measures explaining discoloration in beef, combined with price discounts may influence consumer purchasing behavior and thus, help reduce retail meat waste.(2025): Do elevated platforms in the barn provide a positive effect on the footpad health of broiler chicken?. Institute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
In Europe, fast-growing broiler chickens are usually kept in barns with littered concrete floor, feeding and water lines, but no further structural elements. This barren environment in broiler housing is a concern of animal welfare, since the birds are not able to perform elevated resting for instance. Thus, installing elevated platforms in the barn can provide for animal behavioural needs. Furthermore, it can have a positive effect on footpad health, as their usage reduces the time the broilers spent in humid, soiled litter and thus decreases the occurrence of footpad dermatitis (FPD). This study investigated the effects of elevated platforms on broilers’ footpad health on two German commercial farms (Farm A: 50,000 chickens/compartment; B: 34,000 chickens/compartment, stocking density max. 35 kg/m² both) of fast growing chicken (A: Cobb-500; B: Ross 308). On both, one compartment was equipped with a perforated (plastic floor) elevated platform with manure belt (EP) (offered as additional space; approx. 8% of the barn floor area) and one served as control (C) without this additional equipment. The broilers could reach the EP via ramps consisting of wire mesh. For data collection, the investigation included 4 replicates/compartment in farm A and 5 in farm B. Data on flocks’ life-weight and FPD scoring (3-point scale) by an automated camera system recorded at slaughter were evaluated. Differences in the assessed footpad health (FPD0= no lesion; FPD1= mild lesion; FPD2= severe lesion) between the compartments (EP vs. C) were statistically analysed on farm level using a Kruskal-Wallis test (SAS 9.4). After a median of 37 days of fattening period, farm A slaughtered the broilers (total n=240,536) with an average live weight of 2,622g/animal (EP: 2,601.50g/animal; C: 2,642.25g/animal), whereas farm B slaughtered at day 42 (total n=421,219) with a mean weight of 2,970g/animal (EP: 2,985.20g/animal; C: 2,954.80g/animal;). At farm A, broilers from EP showed slightly more animals with (mainly severe) lesions (FPD0: 41.1%; FPD1: 28.3%; FPD2: 30.6%) compared with those from C (FPD0: 42.2%; FPD1: 33.1%; FPD2: 24.7%). Contrary, on farm B a higher percentage of broilers from EP were rated as FPD0 (FPD0: 86.3%; FPD1: 12.1%; FPD2: 1.6%) than from C (FPD0: 84.0%, FPD1: 13.2%; FPD2: 2.8%). Nevertheless, at farm level, no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of FPD scores between EP and C were found (Kruskal-Wallis test: all p>0.05). Since the results of this study are indifferent, further research is necessary. For instance, a targeted FPD scoring of only broilers actually using the EP can provide better information on direct effects regarding their footpad health. Finally the question remains, whether the area offered on the EP is sufficient to improve food pad health and thus animal welfare within a large flock.(2025): Varying image assessment of pecking injuries in Turkeys while performing repetitions. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
This study investigated variations in assessing potential pecking injuries in turkey hens when annotating image excerpts. Three observers (OBS1, OBS2, OBS3) with different levels of previous knowledge - one with experience in pecking injuries in turkeys and two computer science students - rated a total of 24,912 image excerpts. The image excerpts were evaluated in work packages (2,076 images each) and were classified by the observers as either head injury (HI), skin injury in the feathered area of the body (SI), or no injury (NI). Two observers evaluated three packages (OBS1, OBS2: 6,228 image excerpts each) and OBS3 annnotated six work packages (12,456 excerpts). The percentage of the classifica¬tions in the chronological sequence of the observations was analyzed. Inexperienced observers (OBS2 and OBS3) both classified an average of 13% of the shown images as HI, 70% as SI, and 17% as NI. On average, OBS1 classified 12% of the images as HI, 60% as SI, and 28% as NI. Throughout the study, all observers classified more recordings into the NI class. Particularly, OBS1 with the most experience in evaluating pecking injuries showed a different assessment by rating more images (plus 5%) as showing NI over time (OBS2: plus 0.7%; OBS3: plus 2.2%). This result raises questions about whether divergent assessments always occur in repeated judgments and how this effect can be avoided.(2025): Trendanalyse von Klimadaten der vergangenen 50 Jahre in Niedersachsen und mögliche Konsequenzen für Milchkühe. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
PaperAbstract
In dieser Studie wurden retrospektiv Klimadaten von 23 Wetterstationen des Deutschen Wetterdienstes in Niedersachsen ausgewertet. Die Daten umfassten die tägliche maximale Lufttemperatur sowie relative Luftfeuchtigkeit und die THI (Temperature-Humidity-Index) Werte, welche in fünf Hitzestress-Klassen eingeteilt wurden. Über alle 23 Standorte wurde die Häufigkeit der Tage ermittelt, in denen in den vergangenen 50 Jahren eine dieser Hitzestress Klassen erreicht wurde. Die Darstellung der Trendlinien und die Berechnung ihrer Steigung zeigte, dass die Zeiten ohne Hitzestress in Niedersachsen von Jahr zu Jahr weniger wurden. Dagegen wurde für die Häufigkeit der Tage mit mindestens mildem Hitzestress ein signifikant ansteigender Trend ermittelt. Für Milchkühe bedeutet dies ein zunehmendes Risiko für ihr Wohlergehen, ihre Gesundheit und ihre Produktivität. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse verdeutlichen, dass der Klimawandel und die damit einher gehende Temperaturerhöhung die Nutztierhaltung auch im Norden von Deutschland vor große Herausforderungen bei der Bewältigung von Hitzestress stellen wird.
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In this study, climate data from 23 weather stations of the German Weather Service in Lower Saxony were analysed retrospectively. The data included the daily maximum air temperature, relative humidity and THI (Temperature-Humidity-Index) values, which were categorised into five heat stress classes. The frequency of days in which one of the heat stress classes was reached in the past 50 years was determined for all 23 locations. The visualisation of the trend lines and the calculation of their gradient showed that the periods without heat stress in Lower Saxony decreased from year to year. In contrast, a significant upward trend was identified for the frequency of days with at least mild heat stress. For dairy cows, this implies an increasing risk for impaired welfare, health and productivity. The results of the present study showed that climate change and the associated rise in temperature will also present livestock farming in Northern Germany with major challenges in coping with heat stress.
2024
(2024): Factors associated with footpad dermatitis in German laying hens: A retrospective study. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie (ITTN). DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is characterized by lesions on the plantar region of the footpad. It is one of the most common foot health problems and welfare issues mainly described for broilers and turkeys. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the presence of this footpad disorder in laying hens as well as to identify typical risk factors for FPD during the laying period. Data were collected from 39 German laying hen flocks visited up to 16 times during production, where the housing system, flock size, age of flock, season, litter type and quality as well as hens' foot health were recorded in 30–200 randomly selected animals/visit using a four-point scoring system (FPD-Score 0–3). In total, 15,448 randomly selected laying hens were scored and classified, recording the highest degree of FPD per animal as well as whether FPD was detected in one or both of its feet. Of the hens examined, 78.9% showed no alterations, 18.6% showed slight ones, 2.2% moderate alterations, and 0.3% showed severe FPD. In the animals related to FPD (n = 3253), 48.0% of the hens showed an alteration in one foot and 52.0% in both feet. While few animals showed FPD at the first two visits (AF0, AF1), the percentage of animals related to FPD increased at the laying peak (~28th week of life). At the end of the laying period, 34.4% of the hens showed at least slight alterations (n = 955/2776). The results of the statistical analysis showed that the FPD-Score was statistically affected by the type of litter, the season, and the age of flock (all P < .0001), while the quality of litter at the time of visit (P = .0940), the housing system (P = .2696), and flock size (P = .8776) were not related to FPD. In summary, this study detected that more than a third of the animals examined showed alterations in their footpads at the end of the laying period. Such changes in foot health occurred from the laying peak and increased to the end of the laying period. In addition to the age of the hens, the type of litter and the season were determined as potential risk factors. Moreover, this study shows how common this foot health problem is, not only in turkeys and broilers but also for laying hens.(2024): Reducing Food Waste: How Beef Color Influences Consumer Buying Decisions. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Discoloration of beef products leads retailers to either offer discounts or discard beef, as
consumers tend to reject discoloration. This practice contributes to food waste and wastage of
economic and natural resources. This study analyzes U.S. consumer preferences for beef based
on meat color. A mixed methods design including a discrete choice experiment and focus group
discussions is applied to understand consumer willingness to pay (WTP), the effects of price
discounts as well as color preference of beef shoppers. Results show that consumers perceive,
prefer, and see color nearly linearly across days. Consumer WTP is negative for all days of
retail display and decreases with an increase in discoloration. Focus group participants associate
a bright cherry color with beef quality and eating satisfaction. Most participants reject
discoloration and link a brownish beef color to concerns about food safety and product quality.
Still, informative marketing measures in addition to price discounts may help to shift some
consumers’ purchasing behavior and reduce meat waste at the retail level.(2024): Plötzlich Hausarrest – Verändert die Aufstallung im Mobilstall das Pickverhalten von Legehennen?. Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Legehennen, die im Mobilstall gehalten werden und damit an die Nutzung eines Grünauslaufs gewöhnt sind, müssen aufgestallt werden, sobald eine Seuchenschutzmaßnahme dieses anordnet. Ein potenziell verändertes Pickverhalten nach einer solchen Aufstallung wurde in der vor liegenden Studie untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die Tiere nach der Aufstallung natürliches Pickverhalten, wie leichtes Feder- und Umgebungspicken, vergleichbar oft auch im Stall ausübten. Mittels der durchgeführten Beobachtungen wurde keine gesteigerte Ausprägung von negativ assoziiertem Pickverhalten wie schweres Federpicken oder aggressives Picken gegenüber Artgenossen in Folge der Aufstallung ermittelt.(2024): Research Note: Differences in the pecking behavior of turkey hens in proximity to the feeding pan depending on their beak condition. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Institut für Tierhygiene, Tierschutz und Nutztierethologie (ITTN). DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
The present study aimed to provide further insight on different pecking behavior of beak-trimmed and untrimmed turkey hens in proximity to the feeding pan. Investigations were carried out in 4 housing compartments with female fattening turkeys where video were recorded and evaluated with regard to 4 different types of (pecking-) behavior (feeding, pecking on the ground, pecking at conspecifics, being pecked) observed in 1 focal animal in proximity to each feeding pan. Concerning the median duration, there were only small differences between the animals with different beak conditions. Pecking behavior varied in how many animals exhibited 'pecking on the ground' with more turkeys with intact beaks showing this activity in proximity to the feeding pan with a slightly increased median duration (0:06 vs. 0:04 min). Further discrepancies were observed in the maximum duration of recorded behaviors, as there were animals with intact beaks that showed "pecking on the ground" (4:09 vs. 2:54 min), "pecking at conspecifics" (3:46 vs. 1:25 min), and were "being pecked" (0:52 vs. 0:35 min) for a longer period of time. Based on this result, however, it can be assumed that especially individual animals with an intact beak forage more intensively and perform some pecking behaviors, which include injurious pecking, with longer duration in proximity to the feeding pan.(2024): Pecking behaviour of turkey hens in proximity to the feeding pan – any influence of beak condition?. Institute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Experience has shown that turkeys increasingly tend to peck at conspecifics when they are near the feeding area, thus in direct relation to their feed intake. This behaviour can cause serious pecking injuries. This pilot study investigated to what extent the pecking behaviour at and in proximity to the feeding pan of female fattening turkeys with intact and trimmed beaks differed.
Fattening turkey hens (B.U.T.6) were housed in four 35m² compartments (143 animals each, 2 compartments with untrimmed and 2 with beak trimmed birds) under practical housing conditions (stocking density 48 kg/m²). From 6 to 16th week of life (LW), videos were taken in proximity to both offered feeding pans (observed area: one hens’ body length proximity around the feeding pan) from 2 to 4 pm two days a week. One focal animal was observed per feeding pan (total n=8 per LW, observed animals with intact beaks n=330, observed animals with trimmed beaks n=329). At four pints of time in a 30-minute interval the duration of the following behaviours in the observed area was recorded: feeding (F), pecking at the ground (GP), pecking at conspecifics (CP), and being pecked at (SP).
The average feeding duration (65s) did not differ between the trimmed and the animals with intact beaks. There was neither a difference in duration for the behaviours CP (11s) and SP (7s). Only pecking on the ground differed between the observed animals. Overall, more turkey hens with intact beaks (n=169 vs. 142) were observed pecking at the ground. Likewise, the average duration of GP (18s) was higher than that recorded for birds with trimmed beaks (15s).
Although more and more severe injuries and higher losses due to injurious pecking occurred over the fattening period in the turkey hens with intact beaks, the results of this pilot study do not indicate that this is obligatorily related to the duration of the observed behaviours. At least during the period observed here, there were no differences in the tracked focal animals with respect to the duration of pecking at conspecifics or being pecked by them. Thus, beak condition had neither an effect on feeding duration nor behavioural disorders regarding aggressive pecking towards conspecifics in the proximity to the feeding pan.(2024): Continuous monitoring of ammonia in the turkey barn : what values do the animals experience?. Institute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Background/Objective: In Germany, the concentration of harmful gases, especially ammonia, in the air of poultry barns should be kept within a range that is harmless to the birds. For fattening turkeys, a maximum ammonia content of 20 ppm must not be exceeded and should be permanently below 10 ppm.
Methods: This study investigated whether these requirements are possible to meet under practical conditions and furthermore evaluated ammonia concentrations at different measurement heights. For this purpose, two identical barns on a turkey fattening farm were equipped with continuous ammonia-measuring systems; each device with a temperature, humidity and air pressure sensor additionally. These systems were installed at two measuring locations in the barn (front/rear area), positioning one device at animal height (30 cm) and one at a height of 170 cm representing human eye level, respectively working height. The measurements were taken continuously, with the highest value transmitted every 5 minutes. The average hourly values were analysed from animals’ 3rd to 12th week of life.
Results: The results showed that the average hourly mean value of the ammonia concentration was 8.15 ppm and thus below the specified limit value of 20 ppm. Comparing the measurement heights, only slight differences were found between the mean values at animal and working height (30 cm: 8.0 ppm vs. 170 cm: 8.3ppm). However, during the period of 10 weeks analysed, average hourly values above the limit value were measured at both heights on 34 days. Considering maximum extends reached, a value of 40.3 ppm was recorded at working height and even 46.1 ppm at animal height.
Conclusion: These first results showed that the exposure to harmful gases might be a problem in turkey housing. Further analyses are needed to identify the risk of ammonia peaks - for example when the ventilation rate is reduced or when litter is milled.(2024): Factors associated with footpad dermatitis in German laying hens: a retrospective study. Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
Footpad dermatitis (FPD) is characterized by lesions on the plantar region of the footpad. It is one of the most common foot health problems and welfare issues mainly described for broilers and turkeys. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the presence of this footpad disorder in laying hens as well as to identify typical risk factors for FPD during the laying period. Data were collected from 39 German laying hen flocks visited up to 16 times during production, where the housing system, flock size, age of flock, season, litter type and quality as well as hens' foot health were recorded in 30–200 randomly selected animals/visit using a four-point scoring system (FPD-Score 0–3). In total, 15,448 randomly selected laying hens were scored and classified, recording the highest degree of FPD per animal as well as whether FPD was detected in one or both of its feet. Of the hens examined, 78.9% showed no alterations, 18.6% showed slight ones, 2.2% moderate alterations, and 0.3% showed severe FPD. In the animals related to FPD (n = 3253), 48.0% of the hens showed an alteration in one foot and 52.0% in both feet. While few animals showed FPD at the first two visits (AF0, AF1), the percentage of animals related to FPD increased at the laying peak (_28th week of life). At the end of the laying period, 34.4% of the hens showed at least slight alterations (n = 955/2776). The results of the statistical analysis showed that the FPD-Score was statistically affected by the type of litter, the season, and the age of flock (all P < .0001), while the quality of litter at the time of visit (P = .0940), the housing system (P = .2696), and flock size (P = .8776) were not related to FPD. In summary, this study detected that more than a third of the animals examined showed alterations in their footpads at the end of the laying period. Such changes in foot health occurred from the laying peak and increased to the end of the laying period. In addition to the age of the hens, the type of litter and the season were determined as potential risk factors. Moreover, this study shows how common this foot health problem is, not only in turkeys and broilers but also for laying hens.(2024): Research Note: Differences in the pecking behavior of turkey hens in proximity to the feeding pan depending on their beak condition. DOI
PaperOpen AccessAbstract
The present study aimed to provide fur ther insight on different pecking behavior of beak trimmed and untrimmed turkey hens in proximity to the feeding pan. Investigations were carried out in 4 housing compartments with female fattening turkeys where video were recorded and evaluated with regard to 4 different types of (pecking-) behavior (feeding, pecking on the ground, pecking at conspecifics, being pecked) observed in 1 focal animal in proximity to each feeding pan. Concerning the median duration, there were only small differences between the animals with different beak conditions. Pecking behavior varied in how many animals exhibited ‘pecking on the ground’ with more turkeys with intact beaks showing this activity in prox imity to the feeding pan with a slightly increased median duration (0:06 vs. 0:04 min). Further discrepancies were observed in the maximum duration of recorded behav iors, as there were animals with intact beaks that showed “pecking on the ground” (4:09 vs. 2:54 min), “pecking at conspecifics” (3:46 vs. 1:25 min), and were “being pecked” (0:52 vs. 0:35 min) for a longer period of time. Based on this result, however, it can be assumed that especially individual animals with an intact beak forage more intensively and perform some pecking behaviors, which include injurious pecking, with longer duration in proximity to the feeding pan.(2024): Trend analyses predict increasing heat stress for livestock during summer months in Northern Germany. Institute of Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behaviour, University for Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Farm animal health and welfare can be negatively affected by heat stress caused by climate change and global warming. Trend analyses can help assessing the impact of local climate change to investigate potential heat stress (HS). This study analysed trends of HS in Northern Germany using enthalpy (h) values calculated from weather data of the past 50 years. Yearly data from 23 weather stations in Lower Saxony, provided by the German Weather Service, were collected, focussing on the summer period (May to September), and analysed retrospectively. Data contained the daily h maxima which were categorised to one of the HS classes for poultry and cattle (HS0: <50 kJ/kg = no HS, HS1: 50 to <58 kJ/kg = mild HS, HS2: 58 to <67 kJ/kg = moderate HS, HS3: ≥67 kJ/kg = severe and extreme HS). The maximum daily h values were assigned to the HS classes, their frequencies were determined, corresponding HS trend lines were created and their gradients were specified. Finally, significant increases in the HS trend line gradients were analysed using the Mann-Kendall test. Maximum daily h values were recorded between 8.0 and 84.9 kJ/kg. Classification into HS levels over all locations and years revealed the following frequencies: 79.8% of h values were assigned to HS0, 14.7% to HS1, 5.0% to HS2 and 0.5% to the class of HS3. The gradient of all trend lines for all HS classes ≥ HS1 was positive and increased significantly. Thus, the presented study showed that the trend towards periods without HS (HS0) led to fewer days from year to year. In HS classes ≥ HS1 with at least moderate HS, a significant increase of days with HS inducing h values was predicted. Therefore, it can be expected that livestock production will face greater challenges in coping with HS in future.(2024): Trend analyses revealed increasing heat stress situations in German regions with intensive turkey production. Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
KonferenzbeitragAbstract
Climate change and global warming can affect the performance and health of livestock through the development of heat stress. To investigate potential heat stress (HS), trend analyses can help assessing the impact of local climate change. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse trends of HS in German regions of dense turkey populations using enthalpy (h) values calculated from weather data of the past 50 years. Yearly data from 15 weather stations from 1973 to 2022 provided by the German Weather Service (DWD) were collected from May 1st to September 30th (summer period) and analysed retrospectively. Data contained the daily h maximum which were categorised to one of the HS classes for poultry also provided by DWD (HS0: <50 kJ/kg = no HS, HS1: 50-<58 kJ/kg = mild HS, HS2: 58-<67 kJ/kg = moderate HS, HS3: ≥67 kJ/kg = severe and extreme HS). For each region, the maximum daily h values achieved were assigned to the HS classes and their frequencies were determined. Furthermore, HS trend lines were created and their gradients were specified. Finally, significant increases in the HS trend line gradients over 50 years were analysed using the Mann-Kendall test. The results showed, that h values between 11.8 and 83.6 kJ/kg were recorded at all locations. Classification into HS levels over all locations and years revealed the following frequencies: 78.7% of h values were assigned to HS0, 15.5% to HS1, 5.2% to HS2 and 0.6% to the class of HS3. The gradient of all trend lines (over all regions and years) for all HS classes ≥ HS1 was positive. The results of the Mann-Kendall test showed that all gradients of the respective trend lines in the HS classes were significant. The presented study showed that the trend towards periods without HS (HS0) led to fewer days from year to year. However, in the HS classes ≥ HS1 with at least moderate HS, a significant increase of days with HS inducing h values was predicted. Therefore, it can be expected that turkey production will face greater challenges in coping with HS in future.