Tunnel-Ventilated Sheds with Negative Pressure Reduce Thermal Stress and Improve the Meat Quality of Broilers.

This study aimed to evaluate the thermal performance and meat quality in broilers reared in positive pressure tunnel ventilation (PP) and negative pressure tunnel ventilation (NP) in production houses. 320 Cobb broilers (40 broilers per house) were used. Pectoralis major muscles from 40 broilers (10 broilers per house) were randomly selected and analysed for L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness), pH, drip loss (DL), cooking loss (CL) and shear force (SF). Air temperature and humidity of the transportation and slaughterhouse waiting room were recorded in the last week of rearing. Subsequently, the enthalpy comfort index (ECI) was calculated. Air temperature and ECI were higher (p < 0.05) in positive pressure sheds, whereas relative humidity was higher (p < 0.001) in negative pressure sheds. There was no statistically significant difference between the enthalpy comfort index during transport and lairage (p > 0.005). Meat quality defects (high L*, DL, CL, SF) were found in PP and NP. It was observed that b* was higher in PP, although pH and CL were higher in NP. Differences in pH, b* and CL indicate that broilers from PP had a higher level of heat stress. In conclusion, differences in pH, b*value and cooking loss in breast broilers indicate that birds in PP had a higher level of heat stress. Additional studies investigating pre-slaughter handling methods to minimise injuries and heat stress are recommended in order to improve animal welfare and meat quality.

Physical and environmental characteristics of the compost barn system and its effects on the physical integrity, reproduction and milk production of dairy cattle: a scoping review

Compost barn (CB), although recent in Brazil, is increasingly gaining popularity among the intensive breeding systems in the dairy sector. This system promises to offer several advantages to producers and animals: such as providing an environment in which milk production is increased and the physical integrity of cattle is improved, reducing mastitis episodes, and promoting thermal comfort for animals. Another factor that highlights CB concerning other intensive systems is the composting process, generated by the deposition of carbon-rich materials (bedding) with nitrogen sources (urine and feces) from animals. For the full benefits of this composting to be achieved, management, especially of bedding, must be carried out correctly, considering the development requirements of the compost, the use of quality organic material, adequate ventilation, and an ideal rate of animal capacity, so that the generation of heat occurs efficiently. However, there is a general lack of information about the CB system. Hence, there is an increasing need for data surveys of Brazilian regions to compare the diversity of materials used in bedding, assessing energy efficiency and performance over time. Therefore, this bibliographical review addressed the main points of the CB system approach, considering that studies such as this are consistently relevant for rural producers, facilitating decisions regarding the implementation and management of the CB system on their farms.

The impact of training on stockpersons' behaviour and cows' fear response

In tropical developing regions, such as Brazil, animal welfare (AW) has been gaining increasing attention, while stockperson job satisfaction, which is intimately related to AW, is often neglected. This research evaluated the effects of AW training on stockpersons' attitudes and behaviour towards dairy cows and the impact on cows' fear of humans. Ten dairy farms with pasture-based systems where animal handlers are farm owners or employees were selected from three regions of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The experiment consisted of four stages: 1) Selection of pasture-based dairy farms; 2) First assessment of attitudes, human behaviour, and cows' flight distance (day one ­ D1); 3) Pre-assessment of owners' and employees' AW knowledge, and training (day two ­ D2); and 4) Final assessment of attitudes, human behaviour, cows' flight distance, and owners' and employees' AW knowledge (day three ­ D3), focusing on the training's effects on human attitudes and behaviour, and cows' fear of humans. Among owners and employees, positive attitudes were more often expressed, and negative attitudes were less frequent on day three (D3) after training. Nevertheless, the expression of positive attitudes by farm owners was less common compared to employees. Stockpersons manifested positive behaviour more frequently at D3 than on day one (D1), before training, in contrast to negative behaviour at D1. Taking all cow handling observations together, including those before and after training, the greatest percentage of negative behaviour was at the time of moving the cows from the holding area to the milking stalls (18% of all observed human behaviour), followed by moving cows out of the milking parlour (17%), positioning cows for milking (15%) and placing/removing the milking suction devices (1%). Positive human behaviour usually occurred when moving cows from the holding area to the milking stalls (21%) and during the positioning of cows for milking (19%). After training, cows' flight distances decreased. In conclusion, the training may have promoted positive human behaviour and reduced the number of fearful cows. Therefore, AW training may positively influence human behaviour, technical expertise, the reduction of fear in cows, and stockpersons' attitudes.(AU)

The specific enthalpy of air as an indicator of heat stress in livestock animals.

Along with recognition of environmental effects on the performance and welfare of livestock animals, studies have been proposing new methodologies and parameters to diagnose the heat stress of animals through the physical properties of air. This article aims to present the state-of-the-art on the use of the specific enthalpy of air as an indicator of heat stress in livestock animals. As a starting point, conceptual considerations were made about the connection between homoeothermic animals and the environment. Variables for heat stress evaluation based on psychrometric air properties are then described, including dry bulb temperature and relative humidity, which are often used microclimate variables, and the specific enthalpy of dry air, which acts as a thermal comfort index. Final considerations highlight the recent history of the use of specific enthalpy of air equations as indicators of heat stress in livestock animals, with the intention of better understanding the relationship between animals and the environment. As a conclusion, the specific enthalpy of air is recommended as an indicator in the assessment of livestock housing conditions as, unlike other indices, it is based on thermodynamic air properties and not on linear regressions.

Animal welfare: impacts of pre-slaughter operations on the currentpoultry industry

The pre-slaughter operations are characterized by all the steps after the phase of raising at the farm until hanging ofbirds on the slaughter line, and this period is relatively faster than the farm phase. Nevertheless, this phase can cause acutestress in broilers, due to the direct handling of the birds at catching and by offering unknown stressful stimuli to the birdsduring transportation, lairage and hanging on the slaughter line. Other stressful factors such as handling the bird, cratingdensity, impacts on live load, distance and duration of transport between farm and slaughterhouse, and microclimaticconditions in transport and lairage affect the welfare and, consequently, the meat quality of broiler chickens. The effectsof these losses will be felt by all sectors of poultry farming. For all these factors, it is important that the poultry productionchain be aligned in the near future to meet the external and internal consumers' requirements regarding animal welfare.Therefore, the aim of this review is to address the main critical points, which affect the welfare of broilers during pre-slaughter operations in intensive production systems.(AU)

The challenges of animal welfare in modern Brazilian poultry farming

The Brazilian poultry industry is undergoing a process of increasing rigor regarding production practices related to breeding and pre-slaughter operations since animal welfare is an extremely important subject that has received great attention in the developed countries. Brazil is one of the greatest producers of chicken meat, concerns have existed in the sense of adequacy to continue attending to the demand of export and maintenance of the position of leadership, in front of the other market players. One of the key points is the necessity to improve the intensive farming, which currently has many obstacles that prejudice the basic principles of animal welfare assurance. Relatively simple problems in handling animals, litter and equipment, as well as the lack of preventive maintenance in the facilities are the main ones responsible for the thermal discomfort and quality of life of these animals. Despite all the considerations raised, a large part of the Brazilian consumers is still unaware of intensive farming and the way animals are raising on the farm until their plates, being surrounded by myths and false beliefs. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to address the main critical issues affecting the welfare of broiler chickens in intensive commercial production.(AU)

Animal welfare: impacts of pre-slaughter operations on the currentpoultry industry

The pre-slaughter operations are characterized by all the steps after the phase of raising at the farm until hanging ofbirds on the slaughter line, and this period is relatively faster than the farm phase. Nevertheless, this phase can cause acutestress in broilers, due to the direct handling of the birds at catching and by offering unknown stressful stimuli to the birdsduring transportation, lairage and hanging on the slaughter line. Other stressful factors such as handling the bird, cratingdensity, impacts on live load, distance and duration of transport between farm and slaughterhouse, and microclimaticconditions in transport and lairage affect the welfare and, consequently, the meat quality of broiler chickens. The effectsof these losses will be felt by all sectors of poultry farming. For all these factors, it is important that the poultry productionchain be aligned in the near future to meet the external and internal consumers' requirements regarding animal welfare.Therefore, the aim of this review is to address the main critical points, which affect the welfare of broilers during pre-slaughter operations in intensive production systems.

The challenges of animal welfare in modern Brazilian poultry farming

The Brazilian poultry industry is undergoing a process of increasing rigor regarding production practices related to breeding and pre-slaughter operations since animal welfare is an extremely important subject that has received great attention in the developed countries. Brazil is one of the greatest producers of chicken meat, concerns have existed in the sense of adequacy to continue attending to the demand of export and maintenance of the position of leadership, in front of the other market players. One of the key points is the necessity to improve the intensive farming, which currently has many obstacles that prejudice the basic principles of animal welfare assurance. Relatively simple problems in handling animals, litter and equipment, as well as the lack of preventive maintenance in the facilities are the main ones responsible for the thermal discomfort and quality of life of these animals. Despite all the considerations raised, a large part of the Brazilian consumers is still unaware of intensive farming and the way animals are raising on the farm until their plates, being surrounded by myths and false beliefs. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to address the main critical issues affecting the welfare of broiler chickens in intensive commercial production.

Body expressions of emotions: does animals have it?

The expression of emotions in animals is a source of information not very explored by researches. It is necessary to know what emotions animals experience and how these emotions are expressed to the point that we can identify them. Within this approach, the use of techniques to measure bodychanges in animals according to the type of emotion experienced is one of the following paths. The ear and tailpositioning was described as body areas subject to changes caused by emotions in animals. However, the position of theears and tail may vary between species when it comes to the emotional state and therefore, it is not possible to establish a pattern. It is necessary to evaluate each species individuallyand the results cannot be transmitted from one species to another. In addition, animals demonstrate different facial expressions associated with pain. Changes in facial expression in animals may also be related to emotions.(AU)

Body expressions of emotions: does animals have it?

The expression of emotions in animals is a source of information not very explored by researches. It is necessary to know what emotions animals experience and how these emotions are expressed to the point that we can identify them. Within this approach, the use of techniques to measure bodychanges in animals according to the type of emotion experienced is one of the following paths. The ear and tailpositioning was described as body areas subject to changes caused by emotions in animals. However, the position of theears and tail may vary between species when it comes to the emotional state and therefore, it is not possible to establish a pattern. It is necessary to evaluate each species individuallyand the results cannot be transmitted from one species to another. In addition, animals demonstrate different facial expressions associated with pain. Changes in facial expression in animals may also be related to emotions.

Does farm animals experience emotions and feelings?

In recent years, there has been a great increase in the interest of "emotion" and how it can be studied and translated from animals. Emotions arise when the brain receives an external stimulus, while the feeling is a response to emotion and concerns how the individual feels before that emotion. Emotional states do not exist to be locked within an individual. Emotions are expressed in some way and have great importance for the welfare of animals, especially within the farm animal production chains. The affective side of emotions is more difficult to be studied, however, it takes an effort to evaluate what is observable, registrable and measurable: behavioral and physiological measures that may indicate positive and negative emotional states. It is possible to use behavioral and even physiological information to analyze the feeling and, especially, the immediate emotion that triggers it in animals. The aim of this article is to review the concepts and researches on emotions and feelings in farm animals that may be related to the expression of emotions.(AU)

Does farm animals experience emotions and feelings?

In recent years, there has been a great increase in the interest of "emotion" and how it can be studied and translated from animals. Emotions arise when the brain receives an external stimulus, while the feeling is a response to emotion and concerns how the individual feels before that emotion. Emotional states do not exist to be locked within an individual. Emotions are expressed in some way and have great importance for the welfare of animals, especially within the farm animal production chains. The affective side of emotions is more difficult to be studied, however, it takes an effort to evaluate what is observable, registrable and measurable: behavioral and physiological measures that may indicate positive and negative emotional states. It is possible to use behavioral and even physiological information to analyze the feeling and, especially, the immediate emotion that triggers it in animals. The aim of this article is to review the concepts and researches on emotions and feelings in farm animals that may be related to the expression of emotions.

Is stockperson welfare essential for animal welfare? / Bem estar do trabalhador é essencial para o bem estar animal?

Increasingly, animal welfare (AW) is gaining ground worldwide because of pressure from importing countries, as well as the demand from a more conscious society regarding the living conditions of farm animals. Despite the growing concern about AW, there are few studies of stock persons welfare and how it might influence AW. The treatment of animals connects to stockpersons attitudes and behaviour, which in turn are associated with several human factors such as initial experience in the activity, welfare, quality of working conditions and human-animal relationship. Many authors have investigated this relationship and its association with positive attitudes of stock persons towards animals, which consequently influence AW and productivity. However, currently, there is no highlighted concern about the human issue, as the stock person welfare (SW), believed to be a key aspect of a successful implementation of AW programs. The present work suggests a broader view concerning AW, its relation to SW and the importance of improving both aspects in livestock systems.(AU)

Cada vez mais o bem-estar animal (BEA) está ganhando espaço mundialmente, tanto pela pressão dos países importadores, quanto pela demanda por uma sociedade mais consciente em relação às condições de vida dos animais de produção. Apesar da crescente preocupação com o BEA, há poucos estudos sobre o bem-estar dos trabalhadores e como isso pode influenciar no BEA. O tratamento dos animais está ligado às atitudes e aos comportamentos dos trabalhadores, que por sua vez estão associados a vários fatores humanos, como experiência inicial na atividade, bem-estar e qualidade das condições de trabalho e relação homem-animal. Muitos autores têm investigado essa relação e sua associação às atitudes positivas dos trabalhadores em relação aos animais, o que, consequentemente, influencia o BEA e a produtividade. No entanto, atualmente, não há nenhuma preocupação destacada sobre a questão humana, como o bem-estar dos trabalhadores (BT), que se acredita ser aspecto chave para uma implementação bem sucedida dos programas de BEA. O presente trabalho sugere uma visão mais ampla sobre o BEA, sua relação com o BT e a importância de se melhorar ambos os aspectos em sistemas de produção animal.(AU)

Is stockperson welfare essential for animal welfare? / Bem estar do trabalhador é essencial para o bem estar animal?

Increasingly, animal welfare (AW) is gaining ground worldwide because of pressure from importing countries, as well as the demand from a more conscious society regarding the living conditions of farm animals. Despite the growing concern about AW, there are few studies of stock persons welfare and how it might influence AW. The treatment of animals connects to stockpersons attitudes and behaviour, which in turn are associated with several human factors such as initial experience in the activity, welfare, quality of working conditions and human-animal relationship. Many authors have investigated this relationship and its association with positive attitudes of stock persons towards animals, which consequently influence AW and productivity. However, currently, there is no highlighted concern about the human issue, as the stock person welfare (SW), believed to be a key aspect of a successful implementation of AW programs. The present work suggests a broader view concerning AW, its relation to SW and the importance of improving both aspects in livestock systems.

Cada vez mais o bem-estar animal (BEA) está ganhando espaço mundialmente, tanto pela pressão dos países importadores, quanto pela demanda por uma sociedade mais consciente em relação às condições de vida dos animais de produção. Apesar da crescente preocupação com o BEA, há poucos estudos sobre o bem-estar dos trabalhadores e como isso pode influenciar no BEA. O tratamento dos animais está ligado às atitudes e aos comportamentos dos trabalhadores, que por sua vez estão associados a vários fatores humanos, como experiência inicial na atividade, bem-estar e qualidade das condições de trabalho e relação homem-animal. Muitos autores têm investigado essa relação e sua associação às atitudes positivas dos trabalhadores em relação aos animais, o que, consequentemente, influencia o BEA e a produtividade. No entanto, atualmente, não há nenhuma preocupação destacada sobre a questão humana, como o bem-estar dos trabalhadores (BT), que se acredita ser aspecto chave para uma implementação bem sucedida dos programas de BEA. O presente trabalho sugere uma visão mais ampla sobre o BEA, sua relação com o BT e a importância de se melhorar ambos os aspectos em sistemas de produção animal.

Pre-slaughter losses of broilers: effect of time period of the day and lairage time in a subtropical climate / Perdas pré-abate de frangos de corte: efeito dos períodos diários e do tempo de espera em clima subtropical

Mortality losses of broilers during pre-slaughter operations consists of actual challenge for maintaining world leadership of Brazilian poultry industry. In relation to thermal environment and its influence on abattoirs handling, some studies has advanced about the knowledge of these variables on poultry welfare. However, few studies was developed in subtropical conditions, considering a joint analysis of involved thermal factors. In this context, the aim of this work was to assess the mortality of broiler chickens transported throughout daily periods and submitted to different lairage time intervals. A trial was conducted in a commercial slaughterhouse at São Paulo state, during 2006. More than 13,000 loads was registered regarding broiler mortality data during pre-slaughter operations, as well as factors which had influence on losses, such as daily periods, lairage time and bioclimatic variables. Higher mortality rates of broiler transportation were registered during afternoon, around 13 birds per truck. Regarding the interaction between daily periods and lairage time at abattoir, during morning and afternoon, the mortality rate was reduced when birds were submitted to a lairage time of two hours in a controlled environment. These results showed the high level of pre-slaughter losses during hottest periods and the importance of environment control during pre-slaughter...(AU)

As perdas por mortalidade nas operações pré-abate de frangos de corte constituem-se desafios atuais na manutenção da liderança do setor avícola brasileiro no cenário mundial. Com relação ao ambiente térmico e sua influência no manejo em abatedouros, algumas pesquisas têm avançado quanto ao entendimento destas variáveis no bem-estar das aves. Entretanto, poucos estudos foram realizados em condições subtropicais, considerando a análise conjunta dos fatores térmicos envolvidos. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar a mortalidade de frangos de corte, transportados ao longo dos períodos diários e submetidos aos diferentes intervalos de tempo de espera em abatedouro. A pesquisa foi conduzida em um abatedouro comercial no Estado de São Paulo, no ano de 2006. Mais de 13 mil caminhões foram registrados quanto aos dados de mortalidade de frangos de corte durante as operações pré-abate, bem como os fatores influentes nas perdas, tais como os períodos do dia em que as aves foram transportadas, tempo de espera pré-abate e variáveis bioclimáticas. Durante o período da tarde foram registradas as maiores proporções de mortalidade durante o transporte, ou seja, em torno de 13 aves por caminhão. Quanto à interação entre períodos diários e tempo de espera em abatedouro, durante o período da manhã e tarde, a mortalidade foi menor quando as aves foram submetidas ao tempo de espera acima de duas hora...(AU)

Pre-slaughter losses of broilers: effect of time period of the day and lairage time in a subtropical climate / Perdas pré-abate de frangos de corte: efeito dos períodos diários e do tempo de espera em clima subtropical

Mortality losses of broilers during pre-slaughter operations consists of actual challenge for maintaining world leadership of Brazilian poultry industry. In relation to thermal environment and its influence on abattoirs handling, some studies has advanced about the knowledge of these variables on poultry welfare. However, few studies was developed in subtropical conditions, considering a joint analysis of involved thermal factors. In this context, the aim of this work was to assess the mortality of broiler chickens transported throughout daily periods and submitted to different lairage time intervals. A trial was conducted in a commercial slaughterhouse at São Paulo state, during 2006. More than 13,000 loads was registered regarding broiler mortality data during pre-slaughter operations, as well as factors which had influence on losses, such as daily periods, lairage time and bioclimatic variables. Higher mortality rates of broiler transportation were registered during afternoon, around 13 birds per truck. Regarding the interaction between daily periods and lairage time at abattoir, during morning and afternoon, the mortality rate was reduced when birds were submitted to a lairage time of two hours in a controlled environment. These results showed the high level of pre-slaughter losses during hottest periods and the importance of environment control during pre-slaughter...

As perdas por mortalidade nas operações pré-abate de frangos de corte constituem-se desafios atuais na manutenção da liderança do setor avícola brasileiro no cenário mundial. Com relação ao ambiente térmico e sua influência no manejo em abatedouros, algumas pesquisas têm avançado quanto ao entendimento destas variáveis no bem-estar das aves. Entretanto, poucos estudos foram realizados em condições subtropicais, considerando a análise conjunta dos fatores térmicos envolvidos. Neste contexto, objetivou-se avaliar a mortalidade de frangos de corte, transportados ao longo dos períodos diários e submetidos aos diferentes intervalos de tempo de espera em abatedouro. A pesquisa foi conduzida em um abatedouro comercial no Estado de São Paulo, no ano de 2006. Mais de 13 mil caminhões foram registrados quanto aos dados de mortalidade de frangos de corte durante as operações pré-abate, bem como os fatores influentes nas perdas, tais como os períodos do dia em que as aves foram transportadas, tempo de espera pré-abate e variáveis bioclimáticas. Durante o período da tarde foram registradas as maiores proporções de mortalidade durante o transporte, ou seja, em torno de 13 aves por caminhão. Quanto à interação entre períodos diários e tempo de espera em abatedouro, durante o período da manhã e tarde, a mortalidade foi menor quando as aves foram submetidas ao tempo de espera acima de duas hora...

Farm animals's cognition and the tests used on its evaluation / Cognição de animais de produção e os testes utilizados na sua avaliação

Cognition is a set of activities and processes whereby an animal acquires information and develops knowledge. The most common cognitive processes are: memory, categorization , attention, reasoning and language.  This present research was aimed to study the cognitive ability of livestock based on results of cognitive tests described in the literature, as well to expose the various types of tests applied to make such an assessment, in the periods from 1969 until nowadays. Through this bibliographic study, It was discussed issues related to cognition , sentience and animal consciousness, through preference tests, learning, recognition and memorization applied to domestic animals. In general they show a cognitive ability to evaluate the environment for themselves, based on their preferences and motivations. Cognitive tests have shown the high ability of some species to memorize their handlers"s faces, and recognize who is aversively dealing with. Furthermore, it was possible to prove that some producing species are sentient and their choices able to imply physical sensations that can affect your mental state. Thus, it is important to point out measures to help improve the well-being of the animals.

A cognição é o conjunto de processos pelos quais um animal adquire informações e desenvolve conhecimento. Os processos cognitivos mais comuns são: memória,categorização, atenção, raciocínio e linguagem. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a cognição de animais de produção baseado em resultados de testes de cognição já descritos na literatura, bem como expor os diversos tipos detestes aplicados para realizar tal avaliação, desde o ano de 1969 até o momento. Neste levantamento bibliográfico foi discutido aspectos relacionados à cognição, consciência e senciência animal, por meio de testes de preferência,aprendizagem, reconhecimento e memorização aplicados à animais domésticos. Em geral os animais apresentam uma capacidade cognitiva de avaliar o ambiente em relação a si próprio, com base nas suas preferências e motivações. Os testes cognitivos têm mostrado a alta capacidade de algumas espécies em memorizar o rosto dos seus tratadores, além de reconhecer os que os tratam de forma aversiva. Por conseguinte, foi possível comprovar que algumas espécies destinadas à produção são sencientes, sendo as suas escolhas capazes de implicar em sensações físicas que podem afetar o seu estado mental. Assim, torna-se importante apontar medidas que auxiliem na melhoria do bem-estar dos mesmos.

Ambience in the transport of horses and the effects on stress responses / Ambiência no transporte de equinos e os efeitos nas respostas ao estresse

The equine transport is compromised by a number of concurrent factors, which explains the high rate of production loss in this stage, diseases attributed to, loss of body weight and death. These losses can be prevented by means of an appropriate ambience management, which reduces stress and improves the well-being of the animal. The aim of this review was to provide practical outcomes about ambience in the transport of horses and the stress influences. The knowledge of ambience and stressors that operate in transportation of horses assist the producer and/or handler on the suitability of correct management and reducing economic losses in the horse breeding sector, ensuring thermal comfort and improved animal welfare.

O transporte de equinos é comprometido por um conjunto de fatores simultâneos, o que explica a elevada proporção de perdas produtivas nesta etapa, atribuídas a doenças, perda de massa corporal e morte. Estas perdas podem ser prevenidas, por meio de um manejo adequado de ambiência, a qual reduz o estresse e melhora o bem estar do animal. O objetivo desta revisão foi fornecer resultados práticos sobre ambiência no transporte de equinos e as influências no estresse. Os conhecimentos de ambiência e os agentes estressores que atuam no transporte de equinosauxiliarão o produtor e/ou manejador na adequação do manejo correto e na redução de perdas econômicas no setor da equideocultura, garantindo o conforto térmico e melhoria do bem estar animal.

Tympanic, surface and rectal temperatures and respiratory rate of Santa Inês sheep and their crossbreds with Ile de France and Suffolk in Piracicaba, Brazil / Temperatura timpânica, superficial e retal e frequência respiratória de ovinos da raça Santa Inês e seus cruzamentos com Ile de France e Suffolk em Piracicaba, Brasil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of Santa Ines and its crossbreeds with Suffolk races and Ile de France in Piracicaba, Brazil. Eighteen ewes were used assigned to a completely randomized design in a factorial diagram (3 x 3, 3 breed group: Santa Inês (SI); ½ Santa Inês + ½ Suffolk (Su x SI), and ½ Santa Inês + ½ Ile de France (Ile x SI) and 3 times of observation: 07:00, 13:00 and 19:00 hours) with 6 repetitions. The ewes were used to evaluate: rectal temperature (RT), superficial temperature (ST), eardrum temperature (ET) and respiratory frequency (RF). The ST showed difference (P 0.05) among genetic groups, being Ile x SI the group that showed the lower mean at 07:00 and the greater at 13:00. For the ET the Santa Inês presented the lower mean (P 0.05) than the others, at 13:00 and 19:00. The group Su x SI was greater RT (P 0.05) than SI. The lowest RT was registered at the morning. There was no difference (P>0.05) between the 13:00 and the 19:00. The crossbreeding Ile x SI show greater heat tolerance than Su x SI.

Objetivou-se avaliar as respostas fisiológicas da raça Santa Inês e seus mestiços com as raças Suffolk e Ile de France, em Piracicaba, Brasil. Foram utilizadas dezoitoovelhas distribuídas em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado no esquema fatorial 3 x 3, sendo 3 grupos raciais: Santa Inês (SI); ½ Santa Inês + ½ Suffolk (Su x SI), ½ Santa Inês + ½ Ile de France (Ile x SI) e 3 horários de observação: 7:00, 13:00 e 19:00 horas, com 6 repetições. Foram estudadas: temperatura retal (TR), temperatura superficial (TS), temperatura timpânica (TT) e frequência respiratória (FR). Os animais do grupo racial Ile x SI apresentaram menor TS às 7:00 horas em relação aos demais grupos raciais (P<0,05), entretanto apresentaram maior TS às 13:00 horas (P<0,05). A TT às 13:00 e 19:00 horas dosanimais da raça Santa Inês foi inferior a dos demais grupos raciais (P<0,05). A TR das ovelhas do cruzamento Su x SI foi superior (P<0,05) a das ovelhas SI, não havendo diferença entre as ovelhas Su x SI e Ile x SI, bem como entre as ovelhas SI e Ile x SI. Para todos os grupos raciais a menor TR foi registrada pela manhã, não havendo diferença entre os horários das 13:00 e 19:00 horas. Os animais ½ Santa Inês + ½ Ile de France apresentam maior tolerância ao calor emrelação aos mestiços ½ Santa Inês + ½ Suffolk.

Farm animals's cognition and the tests used on its evaluation / Cognição de animais de produção e os testes utilizados na sua avaliação

Cognition is a set of activities and processes whereby an animal acquires information and develops knowledge. The most common cognitive processes are: memory, categorization , attention, reasoning and language.  This present research was aimed to study the cognitive ability of livestock based on results of cognitive tests described in the literature, as well to expose the various types of tests applied to make such an assessment, in the periods from 1969 until nowadays. Through this bibliographic study, It was discussed issues related to cognition , sentience and animal consciousness, through preference tests, learning, recognition and memorization applied to domestic animals. In general they show a cognitive ability to evaluate the environment for themselves, based on their preferences and motivations. Cognitive tests have shown the high ability of some species to memorize their handlers"s faces, and recognize who is aversively dealing with. Furthermore, it was possible to prove that some producing species are sentient and their choices able to imply physical sensations that can affect your mental state. Thus, it is important to point out measures to help improve the well-being of the animals.(AU)

A cognição é o conjunto de processos pelos quais um animal adquire informações e desenvolve conhecimento. Os processos cognitivos mais comuns são: memória,categorização, atenção, raciocínio e linguagem. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a cognição de animais de produção baseado em resultados de testes de cognição já descritos na literatura, bem como expor os diversos tipos detestes aplicados para realizar tal avaliação, desde o ano de 1969 até o momento. Neste levantamento bibliográfico foi discutido aspectos relacionados à cognição, consciência e senciência animal, por meio de testes de preferência,aprendizagem, reconhecimento e memorização aplicados à animais domésticos. Em geral os animais apresentam uma capacidade cognitiva de avaliar o ambiente em relação a si próprio, com base nas suas preferências e motivações. Os testes cognitivos têm mostrado a alta capacidade de algumas espécies em memorizar o rosto dos seus tratadores, além de reconhecer os que os tratam de forma aversiva. Por conseguinte, foi possível comprovar que algumas espécies destinadas à produção são sencientes, sendo as suas escolhas capazes de implicar em sensações físicas que podem afetar o seu estado mental. Assim, torna-se importante apontar medidas que auxiliem na melhoria do bem-estar dos mesmos.(AU)