Lecture 10

Question 1

What are some arguments for freedom of movement?

Answer 1

Gives the animal control of environment
* physical and psycholigical benefits
Allows fulfillment of behavioural needs
* behavioural expression, social interaction
Maintains better physical condition

Question 2

What are some arguments for and against housing design changes?

Answer 2

• cost of system
• cost of conversion: who pays for it?
• ease of management
• handling skills
• automation
• hygiene, manure management
• Food safety
• Animal Health

Question 3

What are the housing systems for laying hens and how do they affect wing movement and bones?

Answer 3

• semi-intensive alternative
• battery cages: most fragil humerus
• deep-litter ‘free run’: best wing movement and best humerus strength

Question 4

How do group housed sows benefit?

Answer 4

• greater fitness than in stalls
• lower resting heart rate
• increased bone strength
• shorter birthing interval - fewer stillborns

Question 5

Positive and negative effects of behavioural needs?

Answer 5

Positive (if behavioural need is met)
* superior health, productivity or positive behaviours
Negative (if behavioural need is not met)
* frustration, boredom, depression, psychosis

Question 6

Examples of whether the animal needs to perform the behaviour or if they just want the consequence.

Answer 6

Need to perform it:
* forage if given food: cows roll tongue to start digestive enzymes
* nestbuild if given a nest: sows do to release oxytocin
Want the consequence:
* dig if given tunnel: gerbilswill not dig if given tunnel - want shelter

Question 7

External motivation vs internal motivation?

Answer 7

external: gerbal & tunnel
* motivatedto perform the behaviour is controlled by environmental cues
* providing the result satisfies/extinguishes the motivation

internal: sows & nest building
* motivation is internall controlled
* only doing the behaviour will reduce motivation

Question 8

What is Konrad Loranz’s psychohydraulic model of motivation?

Answer 8

Motivation (pressure) builds up over time, behaviour is the release

Question 9

Why is it important to look at stereotypic animals?

Answer 9

They show brain changes to basal ganglia: changed behavioural responses, impaired learning abilities.
* might not be suitable for brain or behaviour research

Question 10

What are the internal and external triggers of chickens dustbathing?

Answer 10

Internal:
* circadian rhythm (high in daylight)
* if restricted, motivation increases
* performed in layer cages when dust is absent
External:
* Warmer temps
* Presence of suitable substrate (sand, sawdust)
* High light levels
* Social facilitation (group behaviour)

Question 11

How does sucking benefit calves?

Answer 11

• greater insulin and CCK levels
• better digestion and increased satiety
• heart rates lower
  Internal behaviour

Question 12

What is cognitive bias?

Answer 12

measuring if animals are pessimistic or optimistic

Question 13

Cognitive Bias in Starlings Enriched vs regular cage

Answer 13

Birds from enriched cages were more optimistic
birds from regular cages were pessimistic

Poorer housing environment resulted in more pessimistic choices