[Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 2: Comparison of different automatic feeding systems].
Abstract: Comparison with regard to animal welfare of different automatic feeding systems for hay and concentrate in group housing systems for horses using parameters of ethology and physiology. Methods: Parameters of research comprised: duration of stay, frequency of visit, threatening behaviour with and without risk of injury, and avoiding behaviour as well as heart rate and injuries of the integument. 452 horses were observed at the feeding area of 32 run-out-sheds. Every group of horses was continuously observed following the pie chart system for 24 hours. Results: The "walk-through" station significantly reduced the number of conflicts in the feeding area, whereas those systems which are appropriate for the feeding horses (feeding station with access barrier and without stimulation device by electric shock) led to a higher frequency of visits and a longer duration of stay resulting in more threatening gestures. However, the number of negative interactions in the feeding area of the feeding systems can all together be classified as relatively insignificant. The heart rate was within the physiological range (45.1 ± 12.42 beats/min) in the waiting area, but increased by approximately 20 beats/min on average within the feeding station. Some horses showed a very high heart rate (≥ 100 beats/min) while entering the feeding station, possibly stress-related. There were no injuries of the integument associated with the feeding systems. The most important factor of the observation criteria was the individual group housing system with its different dimensions, conception and management. Conclusions: "Walk-through" stations are better than "walk-back" stations with regard to animal welfare. Likewise, automatic feeding stations with a current-carrying stimulation device are not supportive of good welfare. The other differences between the constructions of feeding stations of present systems are probably of less importance, particularly as it was shown that the stable (management, stable area, conception) had a significant influence on the surveyed parameters. Investigations to obtain information on the cause for the sporadic occurrence of very high heart rate values should be undertaken.
Publication Date: 2011-02-22 PubMed ID: 22138743
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- English Abstract
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on comparing different automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing situations, evaluating their impact on animal welfare using ethology and physiology parameters.
Objective
The aim of this research study was to compare different automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing setups. The comparison was based on their impact on animal welfare, assessed through parameters of ethology (behavioral science) and physiology.
Methods
- Horses’ behaviors such as length of stay at the feeding area, frequency of visiting the feeding area, threatening behavior both with and without risk of injury, avoiding behavior, as well as their physical conditions including heart rate and skin injuries, were observed.
- 452 horses were studied at the feeding areas of 32 separate group housing systems.
- Each group of horses was observed for a continuous 24 hours, following a systematic observation method referred to as the ‘pie chart system’.
Results
- Automatic feeding systems with walk-through stations significantly reduced conflicts in the feeding area.
- Feeding systems with access barriers and those without electric shock stimulation devices resulted in horses making more frequent visits and spending more time in the feeding area, subsequently increasing the instances of threatening gestures.
- The increase in heart rate of horses in the feeding station compared to the waiting area indicated possible stress.
- However, there were no injuries found related to the feeding systems implemented.
- The primary factor influencing these observation criteria was the individual group housing setup, including its size, design, and management.
Conclusions
- In terms of promoting good animal welfare, walk-through feeding stations are preferred over those where the horses need to walk back.
- Automatic feeding stations equipped with electric shock stimulation devices do not support good welfare.
- Further investigation is required to understand why sporadic instances of very high heart rates (possibly stress-induced) are observed during feeding.
- The study concluded that the design, size, and management of the group housing system had a significant impact on the identified parameters, and likely outweighed the impact of differences in the feeding station designs themselves.
Cite This Article
APA
Zeitler-Feicht MH, Streit S, Dempfle L.
(2011).
[Automatic feeding systems for horses in group housing systems with regard to animal welfare. Part 2: Comparison of different automatic feeding systems].
Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere, 39(1), 33-40.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Lehrstuhl für ökologischen Landbau, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan der Technischen Universität München, Freising. Zeitler-Feicht@wzw.tum.de
MeSH Terms
- Animal Welfare
- Animals
- Feeding Methods / standards
- Feeding Methods / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Rate
- Horses / physiology
- Housing, Animal
- Male
- Stress, Physiological / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Baumgartner M, Erhard MH, Zeitler-Feicht MH. Which animal-to-feeding-place ratio at time-controlled hay racks is animal appropriate? Preliminary analysis of stress responses of horses.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:1005102.
- Hildebrandt F, Büttner K, Salau J, Krieter J, Czycholl I. Area and Resource Utilization of Group-Housed Horses in an Active Stable.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Sep 23;11(10).
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