APPLIED ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND WELFARE

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1012191
• Multistate No.: NC-_old1029
• Project Start Date: Jan 24, 2017
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
WEST LAFAYETTE,IN 47907

Performing Department
Animal Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Under objective 1, we are conducting research to develop 1) a novel biosensor to advance bovine respiratory disease (BRD) detection in cattle (Dr. Croney), 2) behavioral indicators of poultry welfare (Dr. Erasmus), and 3) behavioral and welfare indicators that can be integrated in genomic selection schemes for pigs and cattle (dr. Brito). Under objective 2, Dr. Croney's lab has created the first third-party audited science-based canine welfare certification program.Dr. Croney's lab is collaborating on developing and testing a novel biosensor to advance bovine respiratory disease (BRD) detection in beef and dairy cattle. The goal of the research is to enhance timeliness and precision of diagnostics and treatment of the disease hile facilitating judicious use of antibiotics. Use of the paper-based sensor (developed by Mohit Verma) to detect BRD will be used in conjunction with behavioral indicators of sickness in cattle to compare and further refine the diagnostics.In Dr. Erasmus' lab, research objectives include developing non-invasive methods of tracking and assessing poultry behavior and welfare and identifying changes in bird behavior that may be used as early indications of changes in welfare. Another objective is to characterize problem behavior, such as feather picking of ducks and feather pecking of turkeys and to test environmental enrichment strategies for mitigating these behaviors. As such, research is being conducted to examine behavioral indicators of parasite infestations (laying hens), to track and identify behavioral changes in response to heat stress and immune stress (turkeys), to examine injurious pecking behavior (ducks and turkeys), and to examine behavioral changes associated with management practices (broiler chickens).Parasite infestations of laying hens: Bed bugs are a major threat to laying hen welfare and are becoming increasingly problematic as the U.S. egg industry transitions to cage free production. Control and eradication of bed bugs in cage free systems is difficult because bed bugs spread more easily in these systems and are resistant to many types of insecticides. Analyses of data are underway to examine how bed bugs influence hen behavior and welfare parameters.Tracking and identifying behavioral changes in response to heat stress and immune stress of turkeys: behavioral changes can serve as early indicators of changes in animal health and welfare, but current methods of collecting data rely on manual and time consuming methods. In collaboration with engineers at Purdue University (Maggie Zhu and Amy Reibman), data collection is ongoing to develop a tool for researchers to be able to track and identify changes in turkey behavior automatically.Injurious pecking behavior of ducks and turkeys: injurious pecking behavior, where birds peck at and pull out feathers of their flockmates, causes significant welfare concerns. Information about injurious pecking behavior of commercially housed ducks is lacking, with little understanding of this behavior. As such, data were collected on commercial duck farms to examine the characteristics of injurious pecking and which body locations are most affected. Research is also being conducted with turkeys to examine strategies for reducing injurious pecking.Behavioral changes associated with management practices: management practices, such as stocking density (amount of space provided per animal) influences bird health, welfare and productivity. Research is being conducted in collaboration with Shawna Weimer (University of Maryland) to examine the influence of stocking density on broiler chicken behavior and welfare.Dr. Brito's Lab is conducting research to develop novel behavioral and welfare indicators that can be integrated in genomic selection schemes, including food allergy response in pigs, genetic parameters associated with climatic resilience and temperament of cattle, and genomic analyses of heat tolerance in maternal-line pigs.Food allergy response in divergently selected pig lines: Allergic responses of soybean protein on piglets negatively impact animal growth and welfare. Therefore, the objectives of this project were to estimate the heritability of soybean allergic responses and the genetic correlation between soybean and peanut allergies in divergent pig lines. Results indicate a potential cross-reactivity of soybean and peanut allergies that selection for soybean-tolerant animals also selects for peanut-tolerance.Genetic parameters for rectal temperature, respiration rate, and drooling score in Holstein cattle: Genetic selection for climatic resilience is paramount to increase the long-term sustainability of the worldwide dairy industry, especially in face of climate changes. This study investigated the genetic background of three physiological indicators of heat stress response, i.e. rectal temperature, respiration rate, and drooling, as well as their genetic relationship with productive efficiency and functional traits in Holstein cattle.Unravelling genomic regions associated with temperament in American Angus cattle: Temperament has been identified as a key breeding goal for the beef cattle industry as it is directly related to productive performance, longevity, carcass and meat quality, animal welfare and handlers work safety. Various temperament indicator traits have been proposed over time. In the United States, the beef cattle industry has adopted the docility score (1-6 scale), which is a moderately heritable trait (~0.44). Understanding the underlying biology affecting the phenotypic expression of temperament by identifying genomic regions and metabolic pathways is of great interest. In this context, a single-step-GBLUP-based genome-wide association study was performed using 555,368 animals (143,945 had phenotypic records and 156,001 were genotyped with a common 50K SNP available after imputation. Important Quantitative Trait Loci were identified on chromosomes BTA5, BTA6, BTA10, BTA16, BTA24, BTA26, and BTA27. These candidate genes included VPS13C, CASC4, CTDSPL2, PRDX6, PSD3, ACO2, and TEF.Genomic analyses of heat tolerance in maternal-line pigs: There is an increasing emphasis on genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction in livestock motivated by genetic improvements in production and animal welfare. In pigs, the restriction of intensive breeding to nucleus farms and the global extension of commercial populations make it more necessary to consider G×E interaction. In this project, we used single-step genomic reaction norm models (RNMs) and evaluated G×E interaction in Large White pigs for reproductive (total number of piglets born, TNB; number of piglets born alive, NBA; number of piglets weaned, NW), growth (weaning weight, WW; off-test weight, OW) and carcass (ultrasound muscle depth, UMD; ultrasound backfat thickness, UBT) traits. Dozens of novel candidate SNP markers, function genes, and genomic regions were suggested for the seven studied traits. In particular, our results provided strong evidences regarding the biological contribution of SSCX to litter size traits in pigs.Canine welfare certification program. Dr. Croney's lab developed the program and investigated relationships between established welfare metrics (e.g. hair, blood and fecal cortisol concentrations, secretory IgA, body condition, cleanliness), and other observable indicators of general health, and behavioral indicators of fear and stress. The Croney lab is collaborating with a geneticist to develop genetic indicators and profiles of animal coping ability. The goal is to determine which welfare metrics correlate with each other and provide valid, reliable, and feasible indicators of welfare in the field. Although developed for and tested in dogs, the approaches taken provide useful models for developing new farm animal welfare assessment approaches incorporating multiple integrated measures of welfare.

Animal Health Component

80%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

80%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
306	3510	1060	20%
305	3520	1060	15%
315	3510	1060	20%
306	3840	1060	15%
305	3840	1060	10%
315	3840	1060	20%

Knowledge Area
305 - Animal Physiological Processes; 306 - Environmental Stress in Animals; 315 - Animal Welfare/Well-Being and Protection;

Subject Of Investigation
3840 - Laboratory animals; 3510 - Swine, live animal; 3520 - Meat, swine;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

pigs

laying hens

environment

welfare

climate change

Goals / Objectives
To develop novel behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. To strengthen the scientific basis of animal welfare assessment and auditing programs.

Project Methods
Air quality in egg production facilities varies by housing type and weather conditions, making the control of aerial pollutants challenging for farm managers. Increases in aerial ammonia have been linked to decreased production and increased health problems. While linkages have been documented, a complete assessment of impacts of aerial ammonia exposure on hen welfare has not been conducted.Concentrations of aerial ammonia in modern housing have been reported at consistent levels around 20ppmv and levels as high as 90ppmv. Exposure to ammonia has shown health impacts related to respiratory and visual performance.Pilot work at the University of Illinois has shown delayed learning and impaired memory after hens were exposed to 20ppmv for several months. This potential impairment in learning may indicate that exposure to ammonia may alter cognitive functioning, directly impacting well-being. Neither effects on cognition nor a hen's affective state have been explored. Therefore establishing the effect of various lengths of exposure to aerial ammonia on laying hens remains a critical need.Hyperammonemia has been associated with significant central nervous system damage, especially impacting hippocampal function, and an inverse correlation of IQ in humans. The effect of chronic exposure to aerial ammonia on learning has not been formally tested in birds. Ammonia exposure has also been documented to disrupt sleep in humans, a parameter that is also likely to alter cognition. Sleep measurements may indicate possible influences on learning. Brain damage due to ammonia exposure might result in elevated levels of fear, which could have implications for interactions with humans, conspecifics, and in response to environmental stimuli.The long-term goal of this work is to characterize the impacts of exposure to aerial ammonia on poultry welfare by encompassing the three concepts of welfare; biological functioning, affective state, and normal behavior. Hens will be reared from chicks in controlled environments with specific levels of aerial ammonia. They will be evaluated periodically over their lives for cognitive performance, fear, and sleep. The results of this study are expected to contribute to decision-making for acceptable thresholds and durations for ammonia exposure based on impacts to the affective state of laying hens. Heat stress negatively impacts swine well-being resulting in greater morbidity and mortality, and reduced welfare continues to occur despite advances in livestock cooling system technologies and management strategies. With an increase in the magnitude and frequency of extreme hot weather events occurring globally, the need to refine and re-develop heat stress mitigation and management strategies is of utmost importance. The first step in developing mitigation strategies is to identify when sows are experiencing heat stress. Despite the need for this basic information, current heat stress guidelines for swine are based on >30 year old data. Therefore, it is likely that these guidelines are inaccurate considering that improvements in sow productivity have increased metabolic heat production by 16% in modern sows. Furthermore, the availability of a user-friendly decision support tool for swine producers to predict when sows are experiencing heat stress is non-existent. The overall objective of this proposal is to re-evaluate temperature thresholds that result in heat stress in modern sows and develop a decision support tool to assist swine producers with management decisions during times of heat stress. Specific objectives are to: 1) re-evaluate thermal preferences based on sow perception, 2) determine physiological response to increasing ambient temperatures, and 3) develop a decision support tool to improve sow welfare during heat stress. Successful completion of this proposal will update or validate the current recommendations for heat stress in modern sows and provide swine producers with a decision support tool to determine when to intervene during times of heat stress.

Progress 01/24/17 to 09/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences include producers, animal breeding companies, scientists, students, youth and extension educators. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training opportunity for two three PhD students and two undergraduate student in the area of genomics of livestock behavior and welfare. Training opportunties for two MS students, one PhD student and four undergraduate students in the area of poultry behavior and welfare. It has served as a first step to stablish a research program in the area of genomics of livestock behavior and welfare at Purdue University. It has enabled the establishment of research partnerships, e.g. with the Livestock Behavior Research Unit, ARS-USDA (West Lafayette), North Carolina State University, University of Georgia, American Angus Association. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Through extension reports, the presentation of the results in scientific conferences (Annual Meeting of the European Association of Animal production; Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Sciences, Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting), and the publication of scientific papers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Under goal 1, the Brito lab has accomplished the following: Genetic modeling and genomic analyses of yearling temperament in American Angus cattle and its relationship with productive efficiency and resilience traits. Cattle temperament has been considered by farmers as a key breeding goal. Therefore, 266,029 American Angus cattle with yearling temperament records (1-6 score) were used to evaluate statistical models and estimate variance components; assess the weighted correlation between estimated breeding values (approximated genetic correlation) between temperament and productive and reproductive efficiency and resilience traits; and perform a weighted single-step genome-wide association analysis. Altogether, we identified 11 genomic regions explaining 3.33% of the total additive genetic variance of yearling temperament. This study encompasses a large and diverse phenotypic, genomic, and pedigree datasets of North American Angus cattle. Definition of environmental variables and critical periods to evaluate heat tolerance in Large White pigs based on single-step genomic reaction norms. Properly quantifying environmental heat stress (HS) is still a major challenge in livestock breeding programs, especially as adverse climatic events become more common. The definition of critical periods and climatic variables to be used as the environmental gradient is a key step for genetically evaluating heat tolerance (HT). Therefore, the main objectives of this study were to define the best critical periods and environmental variables (ENV) to evaluate HT and estimate variance components for HT in Large White pigs. The traits included in this study were: ultrasound backfat thickness (BFT), ultrasound muscle depth (MDP), piglet weaning weight (WW), off-test weight (OTW), interval between farrowing (IBF), total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets born dead (NBD), number of piglets weaned (WN), and weaning to estrus interval (IWE). Relative humidity (for BFT, MDP, NBD, WN, and WW) and maximum temperature (for OTW, TNB, NBA, IBF, and IWE) are the recommended ENV based on the analyzed criteria. The acute HS (average of 30 days before measurement date) is the critical period recommended for OTW, BFT, and MDP in the studied population. For WN, WW, IBF, and IWE, a period ranging from 34 days prior to farrowing up to weaning is recommended. For TNB, NBA, and NBD, the critical period from 20 days prior to breeding up to 30 days into gestation is recommended. The genetic correlation values indicate that the traits were largely (WN, WW, IBF, and IWE), moderately (OTW, TNB, and NBA), or weakly (MDP, BFT, and NBD) affected by GxE interactions. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in in-utero heat-stressed pigs as measured by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing. In-utero heat stress (IUHS) has severe postnatal consequences in pigs, including compromised health, stress response, and performance. These altered phenotypes can be caused by epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation, i.e. a heritable molecular modification that impact gene expression and phenotypic outcomes without changing the DNA sequence. Therefore, we aimed to compare the DNA methylation profiles between control and IUHS pigs to identify differentially-methylated regions. Eighty-five unique differentially-methylated genes were identified. These genes have been reported to be involved in key biological processes such as transcriptional repressor activity and tRNA processing (e.g., SKOR2, TRMT6, TSEN2), cellular response to heat stress (e.g., CCAR2), placental vascularization (e.g., FZD5), central nervous system (e.g., VEPH1), cholesterol biosynthesis (e.g., CYB5R1), insulin receptor substrate (e.g., IRS2), synaptic transmission (e.g., RIMBP2), neurotrophic factor receptor activity (e.g., LIFR), immune response (e.g., CD84), DNA repair (e.g., CHD1L), and cell proliferation and endocrine signaling (e.g., SSTR1, CYB5R1). These findings contribute to a better understanding of the epigenomic mechanisms underlying postnatal consequences of IUHS in pigs. Genetic evaluation of functional heifer longevity in North American Angus cattle. Fertility and longevity are key drivers of the beef cattle industry profitability. Genetic selection for increased longevity is challenging, because this trait is measured late in life and most cows are still alive at the time of the genetic evaluation. Therefore, the main goal of this study was to develop a genetic evaluation system for a novel trait called functional heifer longevity (FHL), as well as determine if this novel trait is heritable. Total heritabilities and correlations between genetic and maternal effects were 0.37 and -0.28 for the maternal genetic, and 0.31 and -0.27 for the complete model, respectively. This study shows that FHL in North American Angus cattle is heritable and therefore, it can be improved through genetic selection. Additionally, our findings indicate that including maternal effects in the genetic evaluation of FHL is beneficial. Genetic parameters for soybean allergy response in divergently-selected pigs. Genetically selecting for improved animal resilience has become of great interest in modern livestock breeding. In this context, piglets experience a transitory allergic response to soybean proteins that has a negative impact on their growth and welfare. The main objective of this study was to determine whether soybean allergy response is a heritable trait, using divergently selected pig lines. The genetic variance estimated for soybean allergy was 0.091, indicating that there is genetic variability in this trait. The heritability estimated for soybean allergy response was 0.139, which indicates that food allergy response is a heritable trait and can be improved through selective breeding. Dr. Erasmus' lab is conducting research in support of objective 1, to develop novel behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. Research objectives include developing non-invasive methods of tracking and assessing poultry behavior and welfare and identifying changes in bird behavior that may be used as early indications of changes in welfare. Parasite infestations of laying hens: Bed bugs are a major threat to laying hen welfare and are becoming increasingly problematic as the U.S. egg industry transitions to cage free production. Control and eradication of bed bugs in cage free systems is difficult because bed bugs spread more easily in these systems and are resistant to many types of insecticides. Analyses of data are underway to examine how bed bugs influence hen behavior and welfare parameters. Determining changes in turkeys' activity levels using accelerometers: behavioral changes can serve as early indicators of changes in animal health and welfare, but current methods of collecting data rely on manual and time consuming methods. The Erasmus lab conducted a study to examine how turkeys' activity levels change when turkeys were provided with different environmental enrichments. Data analysis is underway to examine changes in accelerometer values as indicators of activity levels, and to examine the relationship between activity level and turkey welfare. Activity level as an indicator of broiler chicken welfare: lameness is an important welfare issue of broiler chickens, but scoring systems to identify lameness are time consuming and subjective. A study was conducted to validate the use of accelerometers to quantify broiler chicken activity levels and lameness. Data analysis is underway. Behavioral changes associated with management practices: management practices, such as stocking density (amount of space provided per animal) influences bird health, welfare and productivity. Research is being conducted in collaboration with Shawna Weimer (University of Maryland) to examine the influence of stocking density on broiler chicken behavior and welfare.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Yoder, H. and M. Erasmus. 2021. Non-infectious leg issues of poultry. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/pec_newsletter_vol_11.pdf
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 1. Markland, M. L., B. T. Richert, M. A. Erasmus and D. C. Lay. 2021. The effect of feeding resistant starch on sow and piglet farrowing performance and blood parameters. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Abraham, M. E., K. Scoles, M. Erasmus, G. S. Fraley and D. M. Karcher. 2021. High and low stocking density effects on the immune system of floor-raised pullets. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Abraham, M. E., K. Scoles, M. Erasmus, G. S. Fraley and D. M. Karcher. 2021. High and low stocking density effects on floor-raised pullet welfare. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ju, S., M. Erasmus, F. Zhu and A. Reibman. 2021. Turkey behavior identification using Video Analytics and Object Tracking. IEEE International Conference on Image Processing.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Furlong, E., B. Gaskill and M. Erasmus. 2021. Exotic feline enrichment. Purdue Uiversity Extension Publication. AS-675-W. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-675-W.pdf
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Freitas, P. H. F., J. J. Johnson, S. Y. Chen, H. R. Oliveira, F. Tiezzi, S. F. Lazaro, Y. Huang, Y. Gu, A. Schinckel, and L. F. Brito. 2021. Definition of environmental variables and critical periods to evaluate heat tolerance in pigs from maternal lines based on single-step genomic reaction norms. Frontiers in Genetics (Accepted).
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Chen, S. Y., P. H. F. Freitas, H. R. Oliveira, S. F. L�zaro, Y. J. Huang, J. T. Howard, Y. Gu, A. P. Schinckel, and L. F. Brito. 2021. Genotype-by-environment interactions for reproduction, body composition, and growth traits in maternal-line pigs based on single-step genomic reaction norms. Genetics Selection Evolution 53, 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-021-00645-y
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Brito, L. F., N. Bedere, F. Douhard, H. R. Oliveira, M. Arnal, F. Pe�agaricano, A.P. Schinckel, C.F. Baes, and F. Miglior. Invited Review: Genetic selection of high-yielding dairy cattle towards sustainable farming systems in a rapidly-changing world. ANIMAL. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100292
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Hu, L., L. F. Brito, Z. Abbas, A. Sammad, L. Kang, D. Wang, H. Wu, A. Liu, Y. Wang, and Q. Xu. 2021. Investigating the effects of severe cold stress on metabolite responses and metabolic pathways in Inner-Mongolia Sanhe cattle. Animals, 11(9), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092493.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Luo, H., L. F. Brito, X. Li, G. Su, J. Dou, W. Xu, X. Yan, H. Zhang, G. Guo, L. Liu, and Y. Wang. 2021. Genetic parameters for rectal temperature, respiration rate, and drooling score in Holstein cattle and their relationships with various fertility, production, body conformation, and health traits. Journal of Dairy Science, 104, 4:4390-4403, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-19192
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Oliveira, H.R., S. P. Miller, L. F. Brito, and F. S. Schenkel. 2021. Impact of censored or penalized data in the genetic evaluation of two longevity indicator traits using random regression models in North American Angus cattle. Animals, 11(3):800. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030800
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Alvarenga, A.B., H. R. Oliveira, S. Y. Chen, S. P. Miller, J. N. Marchant-Forde, L. Grigoletto, and L. F. Brito. 2021. A systematic review of genomic regions and candidate genes underlying behavioral traits in farmed mammals and their link with human disorders. Animals, 11(3):715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030715
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Freitas, P.H., Y. Wang, P. Yan, H. R. Oliveira, F. S. Schenkel, Y. Zhang, Q. Xu, and L. F. Brito. 2021. Genetic diversity and signatures of selection for thermal stress in cattle and other two Bos species adapted to divergent climatic conditions. Frontiers in Genetics, 12:102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.604823
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dou, J., A. C�novas, L. F. Brito, Y. Yu, F. S. Schenkel, and Y. Wang. 2021. Comprehensive RNA-Seq profiling reveals temporal and tissue-specific changes in gene expression in SpragueDawley rats as response to heat stress challenges. Frontiers in Genetics, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2021.651979
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Luo, H.; X. Li, L. Hu, W. Xu, Q. Chu, A. Liu, G. Guo, L. Liu, L. F. Brito, and Y. Wang. 2021. Genomic analyses and biological validation of candidate genes for rectal temperature as an indicator of heat stress in Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 104(4):4441-4451 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18725. 2021.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Oliveira, H.R., L. F. Brito, S. P. Miller, and F. S. Schenkel. 2020. Using random regression models to genetically evaluate functional longevity traits in North American Angus cattle. Animals, 10(12):2410. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122410
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Piccoli, M. L., L. F. Brito, J. Braccini, H. R. Oliveira?, F. F. Cardoso, V. M. Roso, M. Sargolzaei, and F. S. Schenkel. 2020. Comparison of genomic prediction methods for evaluation of adaptation and productive efficiency traits in Braford and Hereford cattle. Livestock Science, 231, 103864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2019.103864
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Brito, L. F., J. M. Maskal, S. Chen, H. R. Oliveira, J. Graham, A. P. Schinckel, J. S. Johnson. 2021. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling in in utero heat-stressed pigs as measured by whole-genome bisulfite sequencing genome-wide DNA methylation profiling. 2021 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, Louisville, KY.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Cleaver, K. N., J. S. Johnson, B. A. Hill, and L. F. Brito. Relationships between heat stress and behavioral responses with reproductive traits of maternal-line gilts. 2021 Midwest Animal Science Meeting.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Freitas, P.H., Y. Wang, P. Yan, H. R. Oliveira, F. S. Schenkel, Y. Zhang, Q. Xu, and L. F. Brito. 2020. Genetic diversity and signatures of selection for thermal stress in cattle and other two Bos species adapted to divergent climatic conditions. Annual Meeting of the European Society of Animal Science (EAAP), Porto, Portugal.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Alvarenga A.B., Oliveira H.R., Miller S.P., Lu D., Marchant-Forde J.N., Brito L.F. Genomic mechanisms underlying behavioral traits across livestock species and their potential application in genomic prediction of breeding values. In: Sixth International Conference of Quantitative Genetics, Brisbane, Australia. Poster selected to be played during the main program.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Oliveira H.R., Alvarenga A.B., Miller S.P., Schenkel F.S., Brito L.F. Unravelling genomic regions associated with temperament in American Angus cattle. In: Sixth International Conference of Quantitative Genetics, Brisbane, Australia.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Brito L.F., Alvarenga A.B., Oliveira H.R., Lu D., Marchant-Forde J.N., Miller S.P. Model development and estimation of genetic parameters for docility in American Angus cattle. In: Sixth International Conference of Quantitative Genetics, Brisbane, Australia.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Chen, Y.; Oliveira, H. R., Schinckel, A. P.; Stewart, T.; Brito, L. F. Genetic parameters for soybean allergy response in divergently-selected pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 98, 230-230,
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dong, Y, D. Karcher and M. Erasmus. 2021. Self- and conspecific-directed pecking behavior of commercial Pekin ducks. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 35: 1-9.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: 5. Erasmus, M. and J. Rollins. 2021. Visitors self-reported knowledge and attitudes about an animal-free exhibit on animal welfare. J. Appl. Anim. Welf. Sci. 10: 1-14
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Sutherland, H. and M. Erasmus. 2021. On-farm welfare assessment: broilers. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/sutherland_pec_october_2021_vol._19.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Erasmus, M. and A. Gondhalekar. 2021. Poultry parasites: bed bugs. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/pec_newsletter_vol_15.pdf

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences include scientists, the general public, producers and extension educators. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided opportunities for training 5 graduate students and 5 undergraduate students. Our interdisciplinary work area has enabled our graduate students with stronger background in genetics and genomics to learn about animal welfare and how to integrate both scientific fields. These projects have given them the opportunity to interact with animal welfare experts, discuss their research, and implement the inputs received in their projects. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, extension bulletins and presentations at national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research examining behavioral indicators of welfare in poultry is ongoing. During the next reporting period, we plan to publish several manuscripts pertaining to laying hen, turkey and duck behavior. Research pertaining to pigs, beef cattle and dairy cattle is also ongoing and projects will be finalized and results will be published. This will also include the addition of complementary omics to our research approaches (i.e. epigenomics to investigate in-utero heat stress in pigs). Second, we will start additional projects in the area of identification of novel indicators of animal behavior and welfare based on precision technology datasets collected in US dairy farms. We will continue sampling using the novel biosensor and identify physical and behavioral indicators that correlate with the BRD diagnostics derived from biosensor use.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In Dr. Erasmus' lab, one graduate student and four undergraduate students have been trained, one paper has been published and revisions for another paper have been submitted. Results have been presented at the Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting. In Dr. Brito's lab, three graduate students have been trained, 6 peer-reviewed papers have been published and results have been presented at the International Conference of Quantitative Genetics, Annual meeting of the European Society of Animal Sciences, and Midwest Animal Science Annual Meeting. In Dr. Croney's lab, 3 graduate students, 2 post-docs and 1 undergraduate student were trained. Results were presented at local, national and international conferences and 2 peer-reviewed papers were published. Further, due to the many industry professionals with whom Dr. Croney collaborates who need the information derived, multiple auditors have been trained on behavioral and physical health assessment and Dr. Croney has extended this training to animal caretakers, veterinarians and other companion animal industry professionals.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ju, S., M.A. Erasmus, A.R. Reibman, and F. Zhu. 2020. Video Tracking to Monitor Turkey Welfare. IEEE Southwest Symposium on Image Analysis and Interpretation.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dong, Y. and M. Erasmus. 2020. Injurious pecking behavior of poultry. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/pec_newsletter_vol._7.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2020. Raising egg laying chickens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/pec_special_issue_laying_hens_v2__april_20_.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2020. Behavioral indicators are key to managing heat stress in poultry. Newsletter. https://www.poultry-welfare-extension.com/uploads/2/5/6/3/25631086/pec_newsletter_vol._3_erasmus__june20_.pdf
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dong, Y. G and M. Erasmus. 2020. Self and conspecific directed pecking behavior of commercial Pekin ducks. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, virtual.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Mugenda, L., Shreyer, T. and Croney, C. 2019. Refining canine welfare assessment in kennels: evaluating the reliability of Field Instantaneous Dog Observation (FIDO) scoring. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104874.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stella, J., Shreyer, T., Ha, J., and Croney, C. 2019. Improving canine welfare in commercial breeding (CB) operations: evaluating rehoming candidates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Volume 220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104861.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Romaniuk A, Barnard S, Flint H, Weller J, Shreyer T, Croney C. 2020. Assessing dam health and behavioral welfare throughout the peri-parturient period in commercial breeding (CB) kennels. Canine Science Forum, July 7-10, 2020, Lisbon, Portugal. (Conference cancelled due to COVID-19)
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Romaniuk A, Flint H, Barnard S, Weller J, Stella J, Shreyer T, Croney C. 2020. Identifying meaningful measures of dam and puppy welfare in commercial-breeding (CB) kennels. Proceeding of 57th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, July 30-August 3 2020, oral presentation - virtual conference.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Pritchett M, Barnard S, Croney, C. 2020. Effects of Novel Stimuli on Fear and Distress Behaviors of Commercial Breeding Dogs. Proceedings of the Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference, 14-21 April 2020, West Lafayette, IN, USA (poster presentation).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Barnard S, Flint H, Shreyer T, Stella J, Ha J, Croney C. 2019. Development of a new protocol for welfare evaluation of dogs kept in commercial breeding kennels. Proceedings of the 2nd Canine Science Conference, 18-20 October 2019, Phoenix, Arizona, US (Oral presentation).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Croney, C. 2019. Establishing science-based standards for the care and welfare of dogs in US commercial breeding facilities. International Dog Health Forum. Windsor, UK.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Croney, C. 2019. Can we solve the problem of puppy mills through higher standards for the care and welfare of dogs in US commercial breeding facilities? University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Croney, C. 2019. What does the consumer really want when it comes to animal welfare? International Poultry Welfare Alliance/US Poultry and Egg Roundtable. Atlanta, GA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Croney, C. 2019. What does the consumer really want when it comes to animal welfare? Poultry Science Association annual meeting. Montreal, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Croney, C. 2019. Considering companion welfare in the context of sustainability. UN Sustainable Development Goals Course. Uppsala University, Sweden.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Weimer, S., A. Mauromoustakos, D. Karcher and M. Erasmus. Differences in performance, body conformation, and welfare of conventional and slow-growing broiler chickens raised at two stocking densities. Poult. Sci. 99: 4398-4408.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dong, Y.D. Karcher and M. Erasmus. Self- and conspecific-directed pecking behavior of commercial Pekin ducks. Appl. Ani. Behav. Sci. (revisions submitted)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Brito, L.F., Oliveira, H.R., McConn, B.R., Schinckel, A.P., Arrazola, A., Marchant-Forde, J.N. and Johnson, J.S., 2020. Large-scale phenotyping of livestock welfare in commercial production systems: A new frontier in animal breeding. Frontiers in Genetics, 11. (Funded by NIFA)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tiezzi, F., Brito, L.F., Howard, J., Huang, Y.J., Gray, K., Schwab, C., Fix, J. and Maltecca, C., 2020. Genomics of Heat Tolerance in Reproductive Performance Investigated in Four Independent Maternal Lines of Pigs. Frontiers in genetics, 11, p.629. (Funded by NIFA)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Chang, Y., Brito, L.F., Alvarenga, A.B. and Wang, Y., 2020. Incorporating temperament traits in dairy cattle breeding programs: challenges and opportunities in the phenomics era. Animal Frontiers, 10(2), pp.29-36.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Dong, Y. and M. Erasmus. 2020. Self and conspecific directed pecking behavior of commercial Pekin ducks. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, virtual.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Chen, S.Y., Oliveira, H.R., Schenkel, F.S., Pedrosa, V.B., Melka, M.G. and Brito, L.F., 2020. Using imputed whole-genome sequence variants to uncover candidate mutations and genes affecting milking speed and temperament in Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18897
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Mallikarjunappa, S., Schenkel, F.S., Brito, L.F., Bissonnette, N., Miglior, F., Chesnais, J., Lohuis, M., Meade, K.G. and Karrow, N.A., 2020. Association of genetic polymorphisms related to Johnes disease with estimated breeding values of Holstein sires for milk ELISA test scores. BMC Veterinary Research, 16(1), pp.1-7
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Vieira Ventura, R., Fonseca e Silva, F., Manuel Y��ez, J. and Brito, L.F., 2020. Opportunities and challenges of phenomics applied to livestock and aquaculture breeding in South America. Animal Frontiers, 10(2), pp.45-52

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences for this research include the general public, farmers, researchers, commodity groups, and regulators Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided opportunities for training six graduate students,8 undergraduate students, and one post-doc. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated through extension bulletins, and presentations at national and international conferences. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Research examining behavioral indicators of welfare in poultry is ongoing. During the next reporting period, we plan to publish several manuscripts pertaining to laying hen, turkey and duck behavior. For pigs, we plan to publish several thermal stress related articles, launch our app that will inform farmers of heat stress events, and present new material at conferences. The genomics project aimed at improving welfare and productivity of lactating sows was recently funded and research on the project is ongoing. The project on cow docility is ongoing.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One graduate student completed her master's thesis examining changes in turkeys' behavior and activity levels due to heat stress and illness. The first paper resulting from this research was published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science Animal Behavior and Welfare. A second paper is currently in preparation. Another student is currently completing her master's thesis examining injurious pecking behavior of ducks and is preparing a manuscript for publication. Research findings were presented at national and international conferences. Data from our USDA-NIFA grant evaluating thermal stress in gestating sows was presented at the International Society for Applied Ethology in Norway and the Pig Welfare Symposium. Data is currently being written up for publication and our app is being developed. A MS student completed her master's degree evaluating the welfare of pigs provided a scratching enrichment. She presented her work at the Animal Behavior Society meeting this summer. Analyses have been run to determine heritability estimates for docility and a systematic review has been performed to better understand the underlying genomic mechanisms for various behavioral indicator traits in cattle, pigs, and sheep. Lastly, identification of genomic regions associated with temperament in American Angus cattle has been performed and this information will be used to optimize genomic prediction of breeding values by giving higher weights to the important genomic regions.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2019 Citation: Bir, C., m. Davis, N. Widmar, S. Zuelly and M. Erasmus. 2019. Perceptions of animal welfare with a special focus on turkeys and turkey production. Frontiers Vet. Sci. Anim. Behav. Welfare. (in press)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, R., H.A. Dalton and M. Erasmus. 2019. Validity of micro-data loggers to determine walking activity of turkeys and effects on turkey gait. Frontiers Vet. Sci. Anim. Behav. Welfare. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00319
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2019 Citation: Campbell, D. and M. Erasmus. 2019. Chapter 6 Poultry welfare monitoring: wearable technologies. In: Understanding the behaviour and improving the welfare of chickens. Nicol, C. (ed.). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, U.K. (in press).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Erasmus, M., K. VanDeWater, M. Aardsma and J. Johnson. 2019. Changes in broiler chicken behavior and core body temperature during heat stress. 53rd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Bergen, Norway.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Erasmus, M., K. VanDeWater, Y. Dong, A. Ashbrook, S. Gaire and A. Gondhalekar. 2019. External parasites (bed bugs, Cimex lectularius) in cage free housing systems: hen welfare and productivity. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Erasmus, M., K. VanDeWater, J. Hu and H. Cheng. 2019. Welfare of white and brown laying hens in enriched colony cages supplemented with dietary probiotics. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: McConn, B., Duttlinger, A., Kpodo, K., Maskal, J., Gaskill, B.N., Schinckel, A., Green-Miller, A., Lay, D., *Johnson, J. 2019. Effects of increasing ambient temperature on the thermoregulatory and physiological response of gestating sows. Pig Welfare Symposium. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2019 Citation: Robbins, L., *Green, A., *Johnson, J., *Gaskill, B.N. 2019. Evaluation of sow thermal preference. 53rd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Bergen, Norway.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:We are currently conducting research in support of objective 1, to develop novel behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. We are conducting research with turkeys to identify changes in behavior that are associated with welfare issues such as heat stress and disease. In addition, we are testing accelerometers (devices that measure changes in motion and activity) to determine whether accelerometers can provide quantitative measures of changes in turkeys' activity levels. Other research projects are being conducted to evaluate how broiler chicken behavior changes in response to heat stress and to evaluate how the behavior of laying hens changes in response to parasite (Northern fowl mite and poultry bug) infestations. Our objectives are to identify changes in hen behavior that may be used as early indications of changes to hen health and welfare. Lastly, we are conducting research to characterize feather picking behavior of domestic ducks so that we can develop methods to mitigate feather picking and improve duck welfare. A significant amount of work is also being done to develop welfare indicators in swine. Thermal stress can result in losses in productivity, increase incidence of illness and morbidity and negatively impact animal welfare. We received funding from USDA NIFA this year to re-define the range of thermal comfort for sows of various parities and stages of gestation, evaluate the temporal pattern of the physiological response of sows to heat stress, and finally create a decision support tool for farmers. Additionally, criteria are being developed for welfare of pigs during emergencies that required movement restrictions of animals and vehicles on and off farm premises. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four graduate students, one postdoctoral research assistant, one research assistant and six undergraduate students were trained in data collection. Two graduate students presented their research at international conferences. Much of the information was captured and disseminated to producer and corporate groups through stakeholder engagement meetings throughout the past year and applications to communicating effectively on animal welfare. Likewise the information was delivered to students through course lectures that were developed accordingly. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?These have been published in journal articles, webinars and podcasts, media interviews, technical reports and presented at several conferences, including the North American Meat Institute and at industry conferences hosted by Tyson Foods, Merck and Wayne Farms. Related information was also captured via the Center for Animal Welfare Science's website. https://vet.purdue.edu/CAWS/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue ongoing research related to NC1029's goals specifically in swine and poultry. Some of theswine work was funded by a NIFA award in 2018. We expect several more presentations and publications from that work. Further develop consumer perceptions research specifically around labelling, auditing and welfare assurance. In addition, some of the data collected will be further disseminated at the 2019 Center for Animal Welfare Science conference, which is funded by NIFA.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? (1) We are analyzing data from our turkey research project to determine whether turkeys' walking activity and changes in behavior are indicative of heat stress or immune activation. Results from our first turkey trial were presented as an oral presentation at the 52nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology and have been submitted for publication in Frontiers in Veterinary Science Animal Behavior and Welfare (currently in review). Data are being collected to evaluate how laying hen behavior changes in response to parasite infestations and how broiler chicken behavior changes in response to heat stress. Similar to the work being done in hens, data has been collected and is currently being analyzed to evaluate how pig behavioral and postural changes when able to select a comfortable temperature. Data was presented at the American Society for Animal Science meeting in Vancouver last summer. (2) Improved understanding of what practices members of the public are specifically concerned about relative to animal welfare as it pertains to production and their expectations from corporations and others in addressing these. Several related journal articles were published and the information was also incorporated into the 2018 CAST technical report on agricultural animal welfare. This information is relevant to the development of welfare auditing programs that incorporate items of importance relative to public reassurance, a critical component of a successful auditing program.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, R., H.A. Dalton and M. Erasmus. 2018. Validity of micro-data loggers to determine walking activity of turkeys and effects on turkey gait. Frontiers Vet. Sci. Anim. Behav. Welfare. (in review).
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Croney, C., Muir, W., Ni, JQ. And Varner, G. 2018. An Overview of Engineering Approaches to Improving Agricultural Animal Welfare. Journal Agricultural and Environmental Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-018-9716-9.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Robbins, L., Green, A., Johnson, J., Gaskill, B.N. 2018. Assessing thermal preference of piglets exposed to early life thermal stress. American Society for Animal Sciences. Vancouver, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, R., J. Ni and M. Erasmus. 2018. The importance of habituation when using accelerometers to assess activity levels of turkeys. 52nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Prince Edward Island, Canada.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Olynk Widmar, N.J., Morgan, C.J., and Croney, C. 2017 Perceptions of Social Responsibility of Prominent Animal Welfare Groups, Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 21:1, 27-39, DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2017.1365000.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Morgan, C.J., Widmar, N.O., Wilcox, M.D. and Croney, C. 2017. Perceptions of Agriculture and Food Corporate Social Responsibility, Journal of Food Products Marketing, 24:2, 146-162, DOI: 10.1080/10454446.2017.1266550.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Widmar, N.O, Morgan, C.J., Wolf, C. A., Yeager, E.A, Dominick, S. R., and Croney, C. 2017. US Resident Perceptions of Dairy Cattle Management Practices. Agricultural Sciences, 28, 645-656.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Yadav, S., Olynk-Widmar, N., Lay, D.C., Croney, C., and Weng, HY. 2017. Evaluation of Movement Restriction Zone Sizes in Controlling Classical Swine Fever Outbreaks. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10:1-10; DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00124.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Weng, H., Yadav, S., Olynk Widmar, N., Croney, C., Ash, M., and Cooper, M. 2017. Modelling the time at which overcrowding and feed interruption emerge on the swine premises under movement restrictions during a classical swine fever outbreak. Animal, 11(3), 493-499. doi:10.1017/S1751731116001609.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Erasmus, M. A. 2018. Chapter 13 Welfare issues in turkey production. In: Advances in poultry welfare. Mench, J. A. (ed.). Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, MA
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Aardsma, M., M. Erasmus and J. Johnson. 2018. Measurement of core body temperature via implanted data loggers and development of an equation to predict core body temperature from facial surface temperature in market-weight broiler chickens. American Society of Animal Science Annual Meeting. Vancouver, Canada.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: L. Liu, J. Ni, Y. Li, M. Erasmus, R. Stevenson, and M. Shen. Assessment of heat stress in turkeys using animal vocalization analysis. 2018. ASABE International Meeting. Detroit, MI.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: horses. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-648-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-648-W.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: poultry. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-645-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-645-W.PDF.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: cattle. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-664-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-664-W.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Weimer, S., D. Karcher and M. Erasmus. 2018. Farm animal welfare: audits and certification programs. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-639-W. https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/newsearch.asp
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Croney, C, J. Mench and W. Muir (Co-chairs). 2018. Scientific, Ethical and Economic Aspects of Farm Animal Welfare. Task Force Report No. 143. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST). Ames, IA.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Croney, C., and Widmar, N. April 8, 2017. Social responsibility to go: Consumer perceptions of prominent fast food restaurants explored. Feedstuffs. http://www.feedstuffs.com/commentary/social-responsibility-go-please

Progress 01/24/17 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audiences include the general public, farmers, researchers, and commodity groups. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Our projects have provided opportunities for training and mentoring five graduate students and one post-doc in animal behavior and welfare research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results were disseminated in 2017 and aniticipate futher publications and abstracts of the data mentioned in 2018 What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data will be analyzed within the next two months and an abstract will be submitted for presentation at the Poultry Association Meeting, International Livestock Environment Symposium, and National American Association for Animal Science meeting in 2018.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1)To develop novel behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. NA 2)To strengthen the scientific basis of animal welfare assessment and auditing programs. Footpad dermatitis (inflammation or lesions of the footpad) is a major welfare issue of commercially raised turkeys. Footpad dermatitis can lead to lameness in turkeys, which is a major cause of pain, and economic losses for producers. Very little information is available pertaining to the effects of management practices, particularly stocking density (the number of animals in a given amount of space) and the type of litter used, on footpad dermatitis and behavior and well-being of commercially raised turkeys. Therefore, we are currently conducting research to examine the effects of stocking density and litter type (wood shavings or grass) on footpad dermatitis and on the behavior and well-being of turkeys. This research has the potential to greatly improve the well-being of commercially raised turkeys because footpad dermatitis is prevalent at all stages of production, and starts as early as 2 weeks of age. Footpad dermatitis becomes more severe as turkeys age. Therefore, any strategies that can reduce footpad dermatitis will greatly improve turkey well-being. In addition, results will provide muchneeded information about how the behavior of turkeys, specifically aggression and feather pecking (when turkeys peck and remove feathers from other turkeys in their shared environment) is influenced by stocking density. Feather pecking is the most important behavioral problem in commercial turkeys. Based on the results from this research, recommendations can be made that when translated to changes in production practices on the farm, will lead to improved welfare of the millions of turkeys that are produced in the U.S. annually. Results from this research will be used to accomplish goal 2) establishing parameters influenced by the production system and strains utilized within the poultry industry. Specifically, this research encompasses poultry behavior and well-being and will provide the poultry industry with information as to which stocking density is most beneficial for turkey well-being. Results will further provide insight into whether wood shavings or grass is most beneficial for reducing footpad dermatitis of turkeys. Based on these results, recommendations will be made to guide the turkey industry in decisions about stocking density and litter management. We anticipate submitting a manuscript for publication by May 2018. An extension bulletin will also be created from this research and results were be presented at the Poultry Association meeting in Orlando, Florida in July 2017. Heat stress negatively impacts swine well-being resulting in greater morbidity and mortality, and reduced welfare continues to occur despite advances in livestock cooling system technologies and management strategies. In particular, heat stress at all stages of development can slow pig growth, cause both acute and chronic health problems, decrease reproductive efficiency, and alter metabolism and body composition resulting in decreased animal well-being and substantial economic losses for swine producers. With an increase in the magnitude and frequency of extreme hot weather events occurring globally, the need to refine and re-develop heat stress mitigation and management strategies is of utmost importance. The first step in developing mitigation strategies is to identify when sows are experiencing heat stress. Despite the need for this basic information, current heat stress guidelines for swine in the Federation for Animal Science Societies Guidelines for the Care and Use of Agricultural Species (FASS) are based on >30 year old data. Therefore, it is likely that these guidelines are inaccurate considering that improvements in sow productivity have increased metabolic heat production by 16% in modern sows. As such, there is a critical need to re-establish thermal condition categories, based on sow perception, with current genetics to improve management practices and animal welfare. We are in the process of analyzing data from our first project re-evaluating thethermal preference of piglets that have been exposed to various thermal stressors early in life. We anticipate this data will be presented at the International Livestock Environment Symposium and National American Association for Animal Science meeting in 2018. We anticipate that another project aimed at assessing sow thermal stress will begin in 2018.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Furo, G., R. M. Hulet, L. Kitto, D. Karcher, M. Erasmus and S. Noll. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: footpad dermatitis. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: R. M. Hulet, L. Kitto, S. Noll, D. Karcher, and M. Erasmus. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: Growth efficiency and litter composition. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: M. Erasmus, K. VanDeWater, D. Karcher, S. Noll and R. M. Hulet. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: Behavior. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: House, G. UG, K. VanDeWater and M. Erasmus. 2017. Pre-laying behavior and nest substrate preference of laying hens in a cage-free system. 2017. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Erasmus, M. 2017. A review of the effects of stocking density on turkey behavior, welfare, and productivity. Poult. Sci. 96: 2540-2545.
• Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Erasmus, M. A. 2017. Welfare issues in turkey production. In: Advances in poultry welfare. Mench, J. A. (ed.). Woodhead Publishing. In press.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Petrosus, E., S. Eicher and M. Erasmus. 2017. Gut feelings: how probiotics may improve animal welfare. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-364-W. Purdue University. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-364-W.pdf
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kremer, J., C. Robison, S. Noll, R. M. Hulet, M. Erasmus and D. Karcher. 2017. Growth-dependent changes in pressure sensing walkway data for turkeys. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.