From: IN%"CHIMES.MARILYN@igate.abbott.com" "Marilyn J. Chimes (708) 937-9870" 6-JAN-1995 10:15:24.77 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Rats and Ferrets Thank you to all who replied to my request for information on how laboratory rats might react to laboratory ferrets in a research facility. I appreciate your concern, thoughts, and references. I am following up on leads that some of you suggested, as well as what I discovered via a literature search. My information is preliminary, but does suggest that, at least in the short term (prior to habituation), rats would definitely experience significant anxiety by smelling ferrets. Although I haven't uncovered any studies with rats and ferrets, exposing laboratory- reared rats to the odor of cats (a classic rat predator) has been used as a model of anxiety, in the absence of any prior experience with cats. Since ferrets are also rat predators, and are smellier than cats, I am extrapolating that anxiety would also be produced in rats by the odor of ferrets. Another consideration I am discovering is that rats react variably to cats, particularly depending on the rat's sex. So, in my situation where we try to control all variables in our research facility, we may actually be introducing a variable causing significant physiological differences by exposing rats to predator odors. Again, this information is all quite preliminary, but I wanted to thank everyone who has helped me in this quest. You're great! Marilyn Chimes, DVM Abbott Laboratories chimes.marilyn@igate.abbott.com ============================================================================= From: IN%"JSChurch@eworld.com" 10-JAN-1995 09:07:20.16 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dutch Veal Production Dutch do not plan to change veal production method By Steve Hays AMSTERDAM (Reuter) - The Dutch government does not plan to change the way calves are reared for veal production in the Netherlands, it said Tuesday, after Britain's agriculture minister described the methods used as ``cruel.'' ``If we were to stop housing calves individually we would only transfer the problem and destroy our market share,'' agriculture ministry spokesman Benno Bruggink said. The Dutch would welcome a Europe-wide initiative on rules governing the treatment of calves, but does not plan to take a lead on this, he added. Friday British Farm Minister William Waldegrave said the Dutch and Italian practice of rearing calves in small crates to produce white and tender veal was cruel and urged animal rights activists to join him in a campaign against them. But Bruggink pointed out that in July last year the Dutch government issued a decree laying down strict rules on the age of veal calves and how they should be housed, including the minimum size of their crates and the animals' feeding needs. Waldegrave, who was trying to calm animal rights protests which disrupted British livestock exports last week, was subsequently lambasted by the media when he admitted calves from his own farm were exported to the continent for veal production. His wife, Caroline -- a successful writer on cooking -- also had to defend her advice to aspiring cooks that the best veal comes from the Netherlands, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported. Leith's Cookery Bible by Prue Leith and Caroline Waldegrave, published in 1991, a year after veal crates were banned in Britain, contains 18 veal recipes. It also contains a passage on how to choose it, advising readers to buy Dutch veal. ``We are quite pleased he (Waldegrave) brought up the issue, but England is guilty of importing many of the dead animals that are cruelly raised and slaughtered here,'' said Elze Boshart of the Dutch Animal Protection Society. She said veal was not a big issue in the Netherlands because Dutch consumers did not buy much of the meat and were generally unaware the country was a producer because most was exported. ``There is currently a European agreement on how the calves are handled and that makes it difficult to change things. It is not an issue we are campaigning on at the moment,'' Boshart said. A spokewoman for the Dutch Landbouwschap farmers organization said there was no evidence that rearing the calves in crates harmed the animals' welfare. ``Brussels wants further research into how the calves are treated and this is due to be completed by 1997, but as far as we are aware no work has been done yet,'' she said. REUTER ============================================================================== From: IN%"K.PLAXTON@elsevier.nl" 11-JAN-1995 03:09:52.94 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Contents APPLAN Vol. 41/3-4 Applied Animal Behaviour Science Vol. 41, No. 3-4 CONTENTS The effect of diet on cribbing behavior and plasma a-endorphin in horses S.B. Gillham (Westboro, MA, USA), N.H. Dodman (North Grafton, MA, USA), L. Shuster, R. Kream and W. Rand (Boston, MA, USA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Drinking water temperature affects consumption of water during cold weather in ponies M.A. Kristula and S.M. McDonnell (Kennett Square, PA, USA). .155 Maternal behavior of Belgian (Equus caballus) mares J.A. Barber (St. Paul, MN, USA) and S.L. Crowell-Davis (Athens, GA, USA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 Modifying the posture of cows for automatic milking T.T. Mottram (Silsoe, UK), H. Caroff (Reading, UK) and C. Gilbert (Cambridge, UK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191 The effects of rearing in individual crates on subsequent social behaviour of veal calves I. Veissier (Saint-Genes Champanelle, France), V. Gesmier (Le Rheu, France), P. Le Neindre (Saint-Genes Champanelle, France), J.Y. Gautier (Rennes Cedex, France) and G. Bertrand (Le Rheu, France) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199 An evaluation of the effect of operant feeders on welfare of hens maintained on litter A.C. Lindberg and C.J. Nicol (Bristol, UK). . . . . . . . . .211 Quantification of temperament in weaned deer calves of two genotypes (Cervus elaphus and Cervus elaphus x Elaphurus davidianus hybrids) J.C. Pollard, R.P. Littlejohn and J.R. Webster (Mosgiel, New Zealand). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229 Relationship between immune response, liveweight gain, behaviour and adrenal function in red deer (Cervus elaphus) calves derived from wild and farmed stock, maintained at two housing densities A.J. Hanlon, S.M. Rhind (Aberdeen, UK), H.W. Reid, C. Burrells (Edinburgh, UK), A.B. Lawrence (Penicuik, Midlothian, UK), J.A. Milne and S.R. McMillen (Aberdeen, UK). . . . . . . . . . . .243 Age-related changes in the sexual performance of Hereford bulls E.O. Price and R. Borgwardt (Davis, CA, USA). . . . . . . . .257 The relationship of dominance, forced and voluntary leadership and growth rate in weaned pigs J.K. Blackshaw, F.J. Thomas (St. Lucia, Qld., Australia) and A.W. Blackshaw (St. Lucia, Qld, Australia). . . . . . . . . .263 ------------------------------ Ken Plaxton Elsevier Science B.V. P.O. Box 181 1000 AD Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 485 3332 E-mail: k.plaxton@elsevier.nl ------------------------------ ============================================================================== From: IN%"F.Toates@open.ac.uk" "F.Toates (Fred Toates)" 13-JAN-1995 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: pets and human health Dear all, Somewhere I have seen some formal studies on the effect of keeping pets on ones circulatory system, something like that stroking a cat reduces your blood pressure. I cannot now locate this. Can anyone supply the reference for an experiment or review of this area? Regards, Fred Toates ============================================================================== From: IN%"lahart@ucdavis.edu" "Lynette Hart" 13-JAN-1995 13:26:59.85 To: IN%"F.Toates@open.ac.uk" "F.Toates (Fred Toates)" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: pets and human health On Fri, 13 Jan 1995, F.Toates (Fred Toates) wrote: > Dear all, > Somewhere I have seen some formal studies on the effect of keeping pets on ones > circulatory system, something like that stroking a cat reduces your blood > pressure. I cannot now locate this. Can anyone supply the reference for an > experiment or review of this area? > Regards, > Fred Toates > Dear Fred: Some recent key papers--- W.P. Anderson, C.M. Reid, G.L. Jennings. 1992. Pet ownership and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Medical Journal of Australia 157:298-301. J.M. Siegel. 1990. Stressful life events and use of physician services among the elderly: The modifying role of pet ownership. Journal of Pesonality and Social Psychology 58:1081-1086. J. Serpell. 1991. Beneficial effects of pet ownerhsip on some aspects of human health and behaviour. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 84:717-720. A recent popular crisp review that discusses these and other studies-- L.A. Hart. 1995. Friends indeed: Pets and your health. World Book Health & Medical Annual, pp. 12-15. World Book, Chicago. Lynette Hart Center for Animals in Society School of Veterinary Medicine University of California Davis, CA 95616 916/752-7722 ============================================================================= From: IN%"esa099@esavax.ed.ac.uk" 16-JAN-1995 10:04:36.41 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Individual recognition I am one of the "lurkers" who has been on the Network since December and not yet introduced myself. My name is Birte Nielsen, I am currently finishing my Ph.D. in Edinburgh on the environmental influences on the feeding behaviour of growing pigs. I am working with computerized single-space feeders, and I have a question which I hope you can help me answer: Can pigs recognize each other from behind? In other words, if a pig approaches the feeder and find it occupied by a conspecific, can the pig then identify the feeding pig, when only the tail-end is visible/accessible? A belated Happy New Year to you all. Birte L. Nielsen Genetics and Behavioural Sciences (GABS) Dept. Bush Estate Penicuik EH26 0QE, Scotland, UK Phone: +44 131 535 3212 (direct) +44 131 445 4811 ext 3212 Fax: +44 131 445 5687 E-mail: esa099@esavax.ed.ac.uk ============================================================================= From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 16-JAN-1995 10:50:22.81 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Individual recognition Birte Nielsen asked: "Can pigs recognize each other from behind? In other words, if a pig approaches the feeder and find it occupied by a conspecific, can the pig then identify the feeding pig, when only the tail-end is visible/accessible?" An interesting question. I would imagine that they could. A few centuries ago Ewbank and Meese (Anim. Behav. 1974, 22:473-480) showed that pigs appeared to be able to recognize each other by smell alone. I dont know if the source of this odour is localized (maybe behind the ears) but I suspect that pigs could be able to smell who is who from behind. I have no idea over what distance this olfactory recognition operates. Jeff Rushen ============================================================================= From: IN%"STOOKEY@sask.usask.ca" 16-JAN-1995 16:26:39.57 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Reconciliation Study Group From: IN%"NY6@CU.NIH.GOV" "D. Smucny" 13-JAN-1995 18:43:29.78 To: IN%"stookey@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dr. Stookey: Here's the announcement to post on the applied-ethology network. Thanks so much! Darlene Smucny ============================================================================ RECONCILIATION ROUNDTABLE HELD IN SEATTLE; RECONCILIATION STUDY GROUP FORMED The "Reconciliation Roundtable" was held on Friday, July 29, 1994 at the 17th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) in Seattle, Washington (following the ABS Meeting). The session took place over lunch and approximately 40 individuals attended. At the Roundtable, there was a general discussion of questions dealing with reconciliation and conflict resolution, particularly with methodology. Some questions we discussed at the Roundtable included: How to define reconciliation? Does reconciliation occur in non-primate animals? Are there other post-conflict interactions involving other group members? How do we analyze reconciliation data? What is an appropriate control procedure for non-captive (i.e., field) studies? What are the physiological/emotional mechanisms underlying reconciliation? What about more experimental approaches toward reconciliation research? No final conclusions (to these questions) were reached during the 2-hour discussion, but it was a good beginning. We ended the Roundtable with plans for further discussion, through the establishment of the Reconciliation Study Group (RSG). The aim of the RSG is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas about reconciliation and post-conflict research. The RSG now numbers 40+ members; we welcome more to join! We especially encourage non-primatologists to join! We believe that reconciliation and conflict resolution are NOT limited to primates, and we would appreciate the input of non-primatologists to achieve a comprehensive view of these behavior patterns throughout the animal kingdom. Another initiative (of the Roundtable and the RSG) is the compilation of a bibliography on post-conflict behavior in primates and other animals. The bibliography eventually will be posted on PRIMATE INFO NET and hopefully other INTERNET GOPHER servers. The bibliography will be updated periodically with the help of all RSG members. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: If you would like more information about the Reconciliation Roundtable or the RSG, please contact DARLENE SMUCNY (e-mail: ny6@cu.nih.gov FAX: 301-496-0630) or FILIPPO AURELI (e-mail: aureli@rmy.emory.edu FAX: 404-727-7845). ============================================================================== From: IN%"jmorrow@hub.ansc.purdue.edu" 17-JAN-1995 06:38:52.29 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: pig recognition I agree with Jeff Rushen, that pigs probably ought to recognize each other from the rear. We tested baby pigs (up to 21 days old) with smell recognition and they did in fact recognize smells from their mother including feces(Morrow-Tesch and McGlone. Sources of Maternal Odors and the Development of Odor Preferences in Baby Pigs. 1990. J. Anim. Sci. 68:3563). If this remains true at later ages, there is a strong possibility that rear end recognition occurs.I am unaware of any studies directly testing this hypothesis in older animals however. ============================================================================== From: IN%"MAPPLEBY@srv0.bio.edinburgh.ac.uk" "Mike Appleby" 17-JAN-1995 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: nest boxes for hens Dear Jean-Michel and others I assume that Jean Michel Faure's enquiry related to hens. I have never seen any behaviour in hens or data from anyone else which suggests that either metal or wood should be preferred for nest boxes. However, I have never seen a direct comparison of nest boxes identical in design but differing in materials. I suppose I have a gut feeling that if such a comparison was made, hens might prefer wood, but perhaps that would only be true if the nest box was so small (or occupied by more than one hen) that they were pressed firmly against the sides. And even then it might only be a relative preference, and irrelevant if only one type was offered. Certainly I have seen many systems (including ours) with either wood or metal nest boxes and nearly 100% usage. Best wishes, Mike ============================================================================== From: IN%"Mette.Giersing@lmv.slu.se" 18-JAN-1995 04:22:05.77 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: change of address Dear All, As of 1st January 1995 I have moved from Research Centre Foulum in Denmark to Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Uppsala - where I will stay as a guest researcher for the coming year. With me I have stacks of data on what I would like to call 'competitive behaviour' in pigs - and social effects on boar taint measured by levels of androstenone and skatole in fat/plasma. I am looking forward to being able to give this all my attention and would like to hear from others with interest or knowledge in this area. Best wishes Mette Giersing (previously Hagelsoe) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Food Science P.O.Box 7051 S-750 07 Uppsala Sweden Tel. 46 - 18671226 Fax 46 - 18672995 E-mail METTE.GIERSING@LMV.SLU.SE ============================================================================= From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 19-JAN-1995 17:18:25.73 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: other groups >I am relatively new to the internet system. I have found the >applied-ethology group very informative and interesting to be associated >with. If anyone could share with me the addresses of other animal >research groups, I would appreciate hearing from you. More specifically >groups dealing with animal nutrition,health and management. >Have a nice day. There is an animal rights discussion group that you can get onto by sending a message to ar-talk-request@cygnus.com (but warning: it will clog up your mailbox very quickly!). There is an agriculture discussion group, which includes pig husbandry AGRIC-L at LISTSERV@uga.cc.uga.edu. DAIRY-L at LISTSERV@UMDS.UMD.EDU and VETMED-L at LISTSERV@UGA.CC.UGA.EDU. I have no idea what they are like. You can usually subscribe to LISTSERV controlled lists by sending the message SUBSCRIBE LISTNAME YOURNAME to the appropriate LISTSERV address. If you send the message HELP to any listserv it will tell you how you can find out what lists are served by LISTSERV. There is also a UK based listserving system MAILBASE@MAILBASE.AC.UK which responds to the HELP command and tells you how you can find out what lists it has. Jeff Rushen ============================================================================ From: IN%"K.PLAXTON@elsevier.nl" 20-JAN-1995 10:13:09.14 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Contents APPLAN Vol.42/1, Vol.42/2 Vol. 42, No. 1 September 1994 CONTENTS Visual dominance over hearing in feed acquisition procedure of cattle K. Uetake and Y. Kudo (Toyohira, Sapporo, Japan). . . . . . .1 Behaviour at calving and choice of calving place in cattle kept in different environments L.M. Lidfors (Skara, Sweden), D. Moran (Helsinki, Finland), J. Jung, P. Jensen (Skara, Sweden) and H. Castren (Helsinki, Finland). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Dispersal patterns of Corsican mouflon ewes: importance of age and proximate influences M. Dubois, R. Bon, N. Cransac and M.-L. Maublanc (Toulouse Cedex, France). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Effect of early experience on the sexual performance of yearling rams E.O. Price, R. Borgwardt, J.K. Blackshaw, A. Blackshaw, M.R. Dally and H. Erhard (Davis, CA, USA). . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Elasticity of demand for food and sand in laying hens subjected to variable wind speed J.M. Faure and H. Lagadic (Nouzilly, France). . . . . . . . .49 Equine color perception revisited D.F. Pick (Hammond, IN 46323, USA), G. Lovell (Lexington, KY, USA), S. Brown (Athens, GA, USA) and D. Dail (Cedar City, UT, USA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Sexual responses of rams to ovariectomized and intact estrous ewes E.O. Price (Davis, CA, USA), J.K. Blackshaw, A. Blackshaw (St. Lucia, Qld., Australia), R. Borgwardt (Davis, CA, USA), M.R. Dally (Hopland, CA, USA) and R.H. BonDurant (Davis, CA, USA). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 ======================================================================= Applied Animal Behaviour Science Vol. 42, No. 2 October 1994 CONTENTS Behaviour of dairy cows kept in extensive (loose housing/pasture) or intensive (tie stall) environments. III. Grooming, exploration and abnormal behaviour C.C. Krohn (Tjele, Denmark). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 The development of feeding and investigatory behaviour in free-ranging domestic pigs during their first 18 weeks of life V. Petersen (Frederiksberg, Denmark) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 Temporal variation in grazing behaviour of sheep and the reliability of sampling periods R.A. Champion, S.M. Rutter, P.D. Penning and A.J. Rook (Okehampton, Devon, UK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99 Avoidance of dyed food by the northern bobwhite F. Nicholas Mastrota and J.A. Mench (College Park, MD, USA). . . . 109 The ability of laying hens to negotiate between horizontal perches G.B. Scott and C.A.L. Parker (Auchincruive, UK) . . . . . . . . .121 Regular handling and the domestic chick's fear of human beings: generalisation of response R. Bryan Jones (Roslin, UK). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Postpartum development of the mother-young relationship in goats A. Bordi, G. De Rosa, F. Napolitano, M. Litterio, V. Marino (Portici, Italy) and R. Rubino (Potenza, Italy) . . . . . . . . .145 ***************************** Ken Plaxton Elsevier Science B.V. P.O. Box 181 1000 AD Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 20 485 3332 Fax: +31 20 485 3325 E-mail: k.plaxton@elsevier.nl ***************************** ============================================================================= From: IN%"KEN@WUDCM.WUSTL.EDU" "Ken Boschert" 20-JAN-1995 13:41:58.33 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: other groups > From: Jim Morris > I am relatively new to the internet system. I have found the > applied-ethology group very informative and interesting to be associated > with. If anyone could share with me the addresses of other animal > research groups, I would appreciate hearing from you. More specifically > groups dealing with animal nutrition,health and management. > Have a nice day. First, if you have access to gopher or the world wide web (WWW), then you can find as much as you ever wanted the following sites. In short, they are a collection of most of the veterinary and animal-related resources on the Internet.... you can explore it by using the gopher or www resources (hopefully) available at your site....the relevant coordinates are: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NetVet Gopher # Name=NETVET Veterinary Resources Type=1 Port=70 Path=1n:/vet Host=netvet.wustl.edu URL: gopher://netvet.wustl.edu:70/11n:/vet # (from U. of Minnesota Gopher) /North America/USA/Missouri/NetVet Veterinary Resources NETVET Veterinary Resources WWW server # URL: http://netvet.wustl.edu/ # -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2nd...many of those on this list may be interested in another list called COMPMED, for Comparative Medicine professionals.....details on joining are below. Be aware though, that it is a high message traffic list. The quality is quite good, but the volume is around 15-20 messages a day during the week. There is a DIGEST option available for those who'd rather have one message a day with all that day's activity. COMPMED Comparative Medicine Discussion Group COMPMED is an Internet/Bitnet mailing list for discussing the topics of: comparative medicine, laboratory animals (all species), and related topics. This discussion group is primarily intended to provide a forum for information exchange among professionals working in the fields of comparative medicine and biomedical research. Subject matter may range from, but is not limited to: Laboratory Animal Medicine Animal Models News Items Meeting Announcements Research Issues Information Requests Veterinary/Husbandry Topics Job Notices Animal Exchange Information Book Reviews Animal Alternatives COMPMED is hosted by the Washington University Division of Comparative Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. This is a LISTSERV-managed list, so normal subscription instructions apply as follows. To subscribe to the COMPMED mailing list, send Bitnet e-mail to: LISTSERV@WUVMD or Internet e-mail to: LISTSERV@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU with the BODY of the mail consisting of the following (the command MUST be in the BODY, NOT the subject): SUBscribe COMPMED Yourfirstname Yourlastname (Example) SUBscribe COMPMED John Doe You should receive a message acknowledging your subscription request. Upon review, you will be added to the list and begin receiving messages from the COMPMED discussion group. ***************************************************************** To send a message to the list, so that everyone can read it, use: COMPMED@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU (Internet) or COMPMED@WUVMD (Bitnet) To send administrative requests to the list manager, use: LISTSERV@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU (Internet) or LISTSERV@WUVMD (Bitnet) ***************************************************************** Join your colleagues online and contribute to: COMPMED - Comparative Medicine Discussion Group List Owner - Ken Boschert, DVM Associate Director Washington University Division of Comparative Medicine Box 8061, 660 South Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO 63110 Phone: 314-362-3700 Fax: 314-362-6480 Internet: ken@wudcm.wustl.edu ^ ^ ( / \ ) O O \ / =\/= ============================================================================== From: IN%"aataylor@uoguelph.ca" "Allison A Taylor" 20-JAN-1995 13:53:40.46 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology List" CC: Subj: RE: other groups > > If anyone could share with me the addresses of other animal > > research groups, I would appreciate hearing from you. Now might be an opportune moment to publicize a new list about donkeys, mules, and other longeared equines ... while it's not strictly a research list, there's a lot of good info going back and forth - and we're a great bunch of people, too! Allison LONGEARS - AN E-MAIL LIST ABOUT DONKEYS, MULES, & HINNIES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This file contains: 1. General Info about LONGEARS 2. Important Addresses 3. Listserv Commands ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. GENERAL: ----------- The electronic mail list LONGEARS was formed in January 1995 as a forum for people interested in donkeys, mules, hinnies, and other hybrids of _Equus asinus_ (zebra mules, etc.). It is intended to provide an opportunity to gather and disseminate information about: veterinary care, farriery, selecting, buying and selling, breeding, equipment, training, and showing. 2. IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: ----------------------- ** PLEASE BE SURE YOU USE THE CORRECT ADDRESS FOR ALL CORRESPONDENCE** LIST ADDRESS: longears@uoguelph.ca (to post to the list) LISTSERV ADDRESS: listserv@uoguelph.ca (to sub, unsub, change your mail options, review list, etc.) LISTOWNER: Allison Taylor aataylor@uoguelph.ca (if you get *really* stuck - or have a 16.2 hh saddle mule to give away!) 3. LISTSERV COMMANDS -------------------- ALL OF THE FOLLOWING COMMANDS MUST BE SENT TO THE LISTSERV ADDRESS (above) DO *NOT* SEND THEM TO THE LIST ADDRESS, NOR TO THE LISTOWNER. to subscribe: ------------- subscribe longears to receive LONGEARS in the DIGEST format: ----------------------------------------- set longears mail digest to unsubscribe: --------------- signoff longears to find out who else is subscribed to LONGEARS: ----------------------------------------------- review longears to get a copy of the LONGEARS information file: ----------------------------------------------- information longears Allison Taylor aataylor@uoguelph.ca ============================================================================== "Not conversing," said Eeyore. "Not first one and then the other. You said 'Hallo' and Flashed Past. I saw your tail in the distance as I was meditating my reply. I -had- thought of saying 'What?' - but, of course, it was then too late." A.A. Milne ============================================================================== From: IN%"JSChurch@eworld.com" 20-JAN-1995 22:31:21.55 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Other groups #4 Another animal research group that I find interesting and informative is deernet@cervid.forsci.ualberta.ca. It is concerned primarily with research into deer and other wild ungulates (bison, elephants etc.). Information and discussions range from nutritional ecology to intensive farm management. ============================================================================ From: IN%"jmorrow@hub.ansc.purdue.edu" 23-JAN-1995 06:43:17.81 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: soil ingestion An interesting question was brought up by Mary Booth. We have observed repeated ingestion of soil in intensively housed cattle when they are allowed outside for excercise. We always assumed that something was lacking in their diet. Does anyone out there know of an actual study to identify why this behavior is so important? Thanks, Julie Morrow-Tesch =============================================================================== From: IN%"CHRISTISON@admin.usask.ca" 24-JAN-1995 14:29:52.54 To: IN%"Applied-Ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Soil Ingestion Concerning the housed cattle that ingested soil when allowed out, if they were not deficient in calcium, magnesium or common salt then the eating of soil is more likely to be of behavioral than nutritional origin. Are the cattle on a low-fiber diet or one that promotes little chewing or rumination? Do they have metal bunks and fences instead of wood to gnaw? Are they stressed by close proximity or frustrated in a barren house? On the basis of no reliable evidence I'll bet (little) that the problem is not a nutrient deficiency. Cribbing horses are not wood deficient and bar-bighting sows are not iron deficient. Iain Christison, Animal Science, University of Saskatchewan =============================================================================== From: IN%"Kerstin.Malm@hhyg.slu.se" 25-JAN-1995 03:15:40.88 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Environmental enrichment for dogs I am very interested in what is done in different countries to improve and enrich the environment for dogs kept in medical research. Where can I get this information? Could anyone help me?? Thanks in advance! Kerstin Malm EMail: Kerstin.Malm@hhyg.slu.se +#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+# # Kerstin Malm Kerstin Malm # + Doktorand/Etolog PhD-student/Ethologist + # Inst. för Husdjurshygien Dept. of Animal Hygiene + + Box 345 P.O.B. 345 # # 532 24 SKARA S-532 24 SKARA SWEDEN + + Tel: 0511-67214 Tel: +46 511 67214 # # FAX: 0511-67204 FAX: +46 511 67204 + + Email:Kerstin.Malm@hhyg.slu.se Email:Kerstin.Malm@hhyg.slu.se # +#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+#+# From: IN%"pdkaio@PObox.ruu.nl" "Heleen van de Weerd" 25-JAN-1995 07:05:59.36 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Environmental enrichment for dogs Kerstin Malm asked: There is an article by Robert Hubrecht: A comparison of social and environmental enrichment methods for laboratory housed dogs (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 1993 (37) 345-361). He probably can help you further with this question, because he now works at UFAW (Universities federation of Animal Welfare). His adress is on the paper. Good luck Heleen van de Weerd ~ Department of Laboratory Animal Science ~ ~ Utrecht University () () ~ ~ P.O.Box 80.166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands 0 0 ~ ~ Phone: ++31 30 532033, Telefax: ++31 30 537997 =o= ~ ~ Replacement, Reduction & Refinement of Animal Experiments ~ ============================================================================== From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 25-JAN-1995 07:41:50.31 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: nose pressing in cows The following request was received from DAIRY-L and might be of interest to this network. _________________________________________________________________ From: OTTGW::IN%"DAIRY-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU" "Dairy Discussion List." 21-JAN-1995 20:34:11.52 To: IN%"DAIRY-L@UMDD.UMD.EDU" "Multiple recipients of list DAIRY-L" CC: Subj: signicance of nose pressing? A behavior that some people feel as being evidence of the presence of stray voltage in dairy cows is nose pressing. I have seen and video taped this behavior on several investigations where stray voltage is and is not present. I have never seen more than one cow do this at a time, and at most just a few specific cows in the herd will be doing it. The action is one of pushing the nose into an object with sufficient force to literally flatten it, with a steady pressure that lasts for a minute or more. On occasion I have seen where a cow will tuck her head into the bottom of a stanchion a press. In at least one cow the action seemed to be related to an effort to decrease the weight on the rear feet(laminitis). This last week I watched a cow hold her nose smash up against a folded up portion of the rubber cow mat for quite awhile. These behaviors occur when a cow is inactive(not eating, milking or distracted by other events in the barn. I am interested in finding out if anyone else has noticed this type of behavior, and under what circumstances is it noticed. If possible I would be particularly interested in finding out if others are seening it in situations involving poor cow comfort, or prolonged times without feed, or at other times. On another subject I would like to know if anyone can tell me more about the EnMet gas detection tubes for the measurement of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gases mentioned in one of the 1/18/95 discussion messages(Re: Progest). Source, and cost? John Roberts, D.V.M. Wisconsin Dept. of Ag Trade and Consumer Protection Stray Voltage Analysis Team 5915 Lake Lane Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 414-734-1539(Phone/fax) 0007056448@mcimail.com ============================================================================= From: IN%"Michael_HUTCHINS@umail.umd.edu" 25-JAN-1995 22:49:59.66 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: soil ingestion Natural salt licks contain a number of minerals of nutritional significance to ungulates, including sodium and inorganic sulpher in the form of sulfates. For references try reading: Hanson, H.C. & Jones, R.L. 1976. The biochemistry of blue, snow and Ross' geese. Appendix II. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press. Hebert, D. & Cowan, I. 1971. Natural salt licks as a part of the ecology of the mountain goat. Can. J. Zool. 49: 605-610. Many animals are also known to ingest soil, presumably when feeling nauseated as a result of eating toxic substances (geophasia). Michael Hutchins, Ph.D. American Zoo and Aquarium Association mh173@umail.umd.edu ============================================================================= From: IN%"H.HOPSTER@ID.AGRO.NL" "Hans Hopster" 26-JAN-1995 03:57:02.72 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: nose pressing in dairy cows Nose pressing and leaning Concerning John Roberts question about nose pressing in dairy cows I like to refer to the report "Abnormal behaviours in farm animals" (Wiepkema, P.R., Broom, D.M., Duncan, I.J.H., Van Putten, G. (Eds.), C.E.C., 1983) and our own observations on dairy cow behaviour. Although in the C.E.C.-report "leaning" was defined as "laying the head on another cow or some suitable object", I think that nose pressing looks very similar to leaning except that cows use their nose for pressing instead of their head. During behavioural observations of dairy cows in overcrowded cubicle houses I have seen both leaning and nose pressing quite often in particular cows. Although the causation and function of this behaviour is unknown (as far as I know), my impression is that it has something to do with problems the cow has with laying down. Problems caused for example by overcrowding, bad cubicle shape or lameness resulting in decreased lying time. Perhaps it is a kind of tension relief. Mostly, leaning (see for a picture: Wierenga, 1983, The influence of the space for walking and lying in a cubicle system on the behaviour of dairy cattle, In: Baxter, Baxter and MacCormack (Eds), Farm Animal housing and Welfare, Nijhoff Publ., the Hague, 1983, pp. 178) is directed to other cows whereas nose pressing is directed to objects like cubicle bars, feeding rack etc. I hope this information is useful and look forward to hear any comments. Hans Hopster DLO-Institute for Animal Science and Health Research branch Zeist The Netherlands ============================================================================== From: IN%"MAPPLEBY@srv0.bio.edinburgh.ac.uk" "Mike Appleby" 26-JAN-1995 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: ISAE Newsletter Dear All I am about to begin preparing the next ISAE Newsletter. Do you have any exciting news to share, jobs to advertise, money to give away? Have you read any books in the last decade which you want to tell us about, however briefly? Are there any meetings coming up which others might not know about? Assuming that you can find any old newsletters lying around (or even if you can't), is there anything you want to write a letter about? One category of contributor which would be particularly welcome is that of students and younger members. Someone at the last ISAE AGM suggested a regular 'column' from such contributors, but if they don't send me anything I can't print it. If you fall into this category, think about it. If you don't, have you got a student or a colleague you can encourage? Those who aren't members of ISAE are also welcome to send me news or other material, of course. They are also welcome to join. Mike ============================================================================== From: IN%"H.J.BLOKHUIS@ID.AGRO.NL" 26-JAN-1995 13:53:12.38 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: farrowing pigs Does anybody has information/references about farrowing of pigs from a grouphousing system in farrowing crates (ideally in comparison with pigs from individual stalls)? Harry Blokhuis =============================================================================== From: IN%"andresen_ted@space.honeywell.com" "Andresen Ted" 27-JAN-1995 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "app-etho-list" CC: Subj: Colony vs. Solitary Nesters? Does any one have any insight as to why certain species of waterfowl are colony nesters while others are not. Do colony nesters always nest within 'sight' of one another. I've seen Widgeons(?) nesting in multiple-nest floating nest boxes in Europe* but I haven't been able to get that to work with the floating nest boxes I've built for Common Moorhens (Gallinula Chloropus) in Florida. Any comments or insight would be welcome. Thank you, Ted Andresen * Bremen, Geramny and Houke, The Netherlands ============================================================================= From: IN%"M.A.W.RUIS@ID.AGRO.NL" 27-JAN-1995 09:17:29.74 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Measurement of total vs. free cortisol Dear all, My name is Marko Ruis and I recently joined the Applied-ethology network. I am a Biologist and graduated at the Agricultural University of Wageningen in The Netherlands. My interest is in studying the effects of stress on behavior and physiological functions. At the moment I work at the DLO Research Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO; former IVO-DLO) in Zeist, The Netherlands. In short, my project "The development of a stressmodel for pigs" deals with the effects of stress on behavior, physiology and immunity. Since individual animals demonstrate different responses to a stressor (dependent on coping style), an important aspect of the research is the classification of individual animals. As a physiological parameter in response to a stressor we assess cortisol concentrations. I would like to discuss about the assessment of total cortisol (i.e. free and bound) in serum/plasma versus that of the free fraction. Only free cortisol appears capable of diffusing through cellular external membranes of potential target cells and binds to cytoplasmic receptors (i.e. biologically active). Therefore, the assessment of free cortisol seems to be a better measure of adrenal cortical function than total cortisol. Still, it looks like most researchers are satisfied with total cortisol assessments. I am aware of the difficulties concerning determination of cortisol in serum/plasma (time consuming, technically demanding). However, I wonder whether these researchers know that total cortisol assessments may be misleading!? Several physiological and/or pharmacological conditions may affect levels and affinity of circulating cortisol binding globulin. Levels of total cortisol may change due to an altered binding capacity whereas the free cortisol fraction is unaffec- ted. On the other hand, one can imagine that total cortisol levels remain the same whereas free cortisol levels change. In my project, we measure cortisol in saliva because saliva collection has proven to be a non-invasive technique, causing no pain and distress or the need for restraint. Maybe more important is that cortisol in saliva is unbound because only free cortisol can be transferred from plasma to saliva (by diffusion and ultrafiltration). Cortisol levels in saliva relate closely to plasma free cortisol concentrations. I look forward to a discussion. Regards to all, Marko Ruis Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO) Research Branch Zeist P.O. Box 501 3700 AM Zeist The Netherlands ============================================================================== From: IN%"morrisji@gov.on.ca" "Jim Morris" 29-JAN-1995 18:44:16.25 To: IN%"H.J.BLOKHUIS@id.agro.nl" CC: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: farrowing pigs I made some behavioral observation on gilts in farrowing crates that were reared in loose housing and in individual gestation stalls. There was some indication of more restlessness of gilts moving into farrowing crates from a loose housing system. This information was recorded in my Phd thesis. If any one else has data or comments on this i would also be interested. I believe that Hansen and Vestergaard (1984) had production data indicating some possible negative effects of moving from loose housing to a restrictive farrowing environment. References: Hansen, L.L. and K. Vestergaard. 1984. Tethered versus loose sows: ethological observations and measures of productivity II. Production results. Ann. Rech. Vet. 15: 185-191. Morris, J. R. 1992. Development of an alternative housing system for breeding-gestating sows. Phd Thesis. Universty of Guelph, Guelph Ontario, Canada. On Thu, 26 Jan 1995 H.J.BLOKHUIS@ID.AGRO.NL wrote: > > Does anybody has information/references about farrowing of pigs from a > grouphousing system in farrowing crates (ideally in comparison with pigs from > individual stalls)? > > Harry Blokhuis > ============================================================================= From: IN%"morrisji@gov.on.ca" "Jim Morris" 29-JAN-1995 18:53:08.44 To: IN%"M.A.W.RUIS@id.agro.nl" CC: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: Measurement of total vs. free cortisol I am also interested in this discussion. The salivary technique would certainly improve sample collection from an animal welfare point of view if in fact free cortisol is what we are after. Please forward your method of saliva collection and preparation of saliva for analysis. Thanks Jim Morris On Fri, 27 Jan 1995 M.A.W.RUIS@ID.AGRO.NL wrote: > Dear all, > > My name is Marko Ruis and I recently joined the Applied-ethology > network. I am a Biologist and graduated at the Agricultural University > of Wageningen in The Netherlands. My interest is in studying the effects > of stress on behavior and physiological functions. > > At the moment I work at the DLO Research Institute for Animal Science > and Health (ID-DLO; former IVO-DLO) in Zeist, The Netherlands. In short, > my project "The development of a stressmodel for pigs" deals with the > effects of stress on behavior, physiology and immunity. Since individual > animals demonstrate different responses to a stressor (dependent on > coping style), an important aspect of the research is the classification > of individual animals. As a physiological parameter in response to a > stressor we assess cortisol concentrations. > > I would like to discuss about the assessment of total cortisol (i.e. > free and bound) in serum/plasma versus that of the free fraction. Only > free cortisol appears capable of diffusing through cellular external > membranes of potential target cells and binds to cytoplasmic receptors > (i.e. biologically active). Therefore, the assessment of free cortisol > seems to be a better measure of adrenal cortical function than total > cortisol. Still, it looks like most researchers are satisfied with > total cortisol assessments. I am aware of the difficulties concerning > determination of cortisol in serum/plasma (time consuming, technically > demanding). However, I wonder whether these researchers know that total > cortisol assessments may be misleading!? Several physiological and/or > pharmacological conditions may affect levels and affinity of circulating > cortisol binding globulin. Levels of total cortisol may change due to an > altered binding capacity whereas the free cortisol fraction is unaffec- > ted. On the other hand, one can imagine that total cortisol levels > remain the same whereas free cortisol levels change. > > In my project, we measure cortisol in saliva because saliva collection > has proven to be a non-invasive technique, causing no pain and distress > or the need for restraint. Maybe more important is that cortisol in > saliva is unbound because only free cortisol can be transferred from > plasma to saliva (by diffusion and ultrafiltration). Cortisol levels > in saliva relate closely to plasma free cortisol concentrations. > > I look forward to a discussion. > > Regards to all, > > Marko Ruis > Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO) > Research Branch Zeist > P.O. Box 501 > 3700 AM Zeist > The Netherlands ============================================================================= From: IN%"M.A.W.RUIS@ID.AGRO.NL" 30-JAN-1995 06:58:51.49 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: total vs. free cortisol Dear all, On Friday 27-Jan-1995 I mentioned: >I am aware of the difficulties concerning determination of cortisol >in serum/plasma (time consuming, technically demanding). These difficulties of course involve the determination of FREE cortisol in serum/plasma. Regards to all, Marko Ruis Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO) Research Branch Zeist P.O. Box 501 3700 AM Zeist The Netherlands ============================================================================= From: IN%"esa099@ed.sac.ac.uk" 30-JAN-1995 07:45:28.42 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: The public opinion? The following letter to the Editor was found in Aberdeen Press and Journal on Friday 27th January 1995: "Sir,- Isn't it about time someone spoke up for the meat-eaters in our society? I was under the impression that we humans were at the top of the food chain. Let's face it, cows, sheep and chickens are merely dumb animals, and very tasty they are, too. I'm glad we have evolved as much as to be able to enjoy their delicious, nutritious meat. With regard to the veal crates: cute these beasties may be, but they don't know any better. Spare a thought for our farmers who are pursuing legitimate business to keep their families fed and clothes. I feel it is a sad reflection om today's society when the welfare of a dumb animal takes precedence in some people's minds over that of humanity. Surely this is another example of the brainwashing of society by ill-advised, fanatical vegetarians. I like my steaks. I will continue to enjoy them - rare - and so will my family, regardless of what these people tell me to do." Signed: NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED Acknowledging that this is a small, local Scottish paper, and the above views may only be those of a single Aberdonian, but how widespread are these opinions, and what can (and should?) the scientific community, especially us as ethologists and welfare experts, do to inform the public? Answers most welcome from ill-advised, fanatical vegetarians. Birte Nielsen GABS, Bush Estate Penicuik EH26 0QE Scotland, UK Phone +44 131 535 3212 Fax +44 131 445 5687 Email esa099@esavax.ed.ac.uk ============================================================================== From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 30-JAN-1995 10:59:32.42 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: total versus free cortisol Whether to use free or total cortisol, or plasma or salivary cortisol depends on the question being asked. Bob Parrott (Brit Vet Journal- sorry I have lost the reference!) compared plasma and salivary cortisol following ACTH. As far as I remember, they were fairly well correlated except that salivary cortisol showed a much slower response and the response was blunted in that the maximum reached was much lower. Therefore if the speed of the response is important, or you are looking for fine discrimination between treatments, then I suggest that salivary cortisol may not be the best. Don Broom (and I think Mike Mendl- who is probably listening) have also made some comparisons. Cortisol measures are usually used in two ways: 1. to measure the animals perception of the magnitude of the stressor by looking at HPA responses, 2. to examine the likely effect of the stressor on the animals biological fitness eg. growth, immune system, reproduction etc. If you want to measure the animals perception of the stressor by examining HPA activity then it is best to measures CRF (if possible), then ACTH, then cortisol in that order. This is especially true when examining individual differences since animals differ in how sensitive the pituitary is to CRF and how sensitive the adrenal cortex is to ACTH. Consequently, cortisol can give a very noisy reflection of CRF secretion. Of course, if the question is crude enough, this may be enough: I have done some studies looking at whether there is opioid control of the HPA axis in pigs during stress, and total cortisol gives an acceptable answer to this type of question. It is not obvious to me that measures of free cortisol would have given a clearer answer. But, as a general rule, the more things measured, the better. If the interest is in measuring the secretory capacity of the adrenal cortex, then I think that the best measure is that which best reflects the total cortisol secreted. When examining the biological consequences of HPA activity e.g. on growth, immune function etc., it seems widely accepted that free hormone measures give a better measure of the biological activity. John Barnett seems to swear by free cortisol measures (Barnett and Hemsworth AABS 1990 vol 25: 177-187), at least for chronic changes in HPA activity. From the little that I know of such matters, this seems debatable (e.g. C. M. Mendl Endocrine Reviews 1989 vol 10 page 232-274 and a very good review by R. Ekins Measurement of free hormones in the blood Endocrine Reviews 1990 vol 11. 5-46). In any case, it is preferable to measure changes in other endocrine/immune parameters as well rather than relying on cortisol measures only. Jeff Rushen ============================================================================ From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 30-JAN-1995 11:21:45.50 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Peak Cort. in rats I am sure there are better references out there but S. F. Akana, A. M. Strack, E. S. Hanson, M. F. Dallman Endocrinology 1994 vol 135 page 1125-1134 gives some details and has a number of references. Jeff Rushen **************************************************************** Hi all, Does someone out there have a ref for when corticosterone is at its peak in rats? I can find lots on synchrony with feeding, etc. but no normative cycling data..... Thanks! --Kathy Morgan *************************************************************** From: IN%"kmorgan@wheatonma.edu" 30-JAN-1995 12:59:20.92 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Help Identifying Peak Cort. in Rats Hi all, Does someone out there have a ref for when corticosterone is at its peak in rats? I can find lots on synchrony with feeding, etc. but no normative cycling data..... Thanks! --Kathy Morgan ============================================================================= From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 30-JAN-1995 14:00:28.77 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: The public and his opinion Birte Nielsen asks: `what can (and should?) the scientific community, especially us as ethologists and welfare experts, do to inform the public? ` In general, I think that the scientific community should try to provide objective information on such matters, where possible, rather than taking sides when addressing values. Consequently, we need to take care that we are addressing factual statements and not statements of value. If we look at the article carefully, we see that most of the statements are simple statements of value, and I dont think we should argue about them. (Of course, individual scientists have their own values and are likely to get involved on that basis but they should not claim that their values are superior because they are scientists). Furthermore, if we are going to start criticizing members of the public, we need to make sure we are criticizing what they say and not what we THINK they probably mean. I suggest 1. if factual statements are made that are not true, then we should show why they are not true. 2. if factual statements are made, and there is no evidence as to whether they are true or not, then we should not claim otherwise 3. we should not oppose value statements (at least, not as representatives of the scientific community). To analyse the article: "Sir,- Isn't it about time someone spoke up for the meat-eaters in our society?' *** This is a value statement `I was under the impression that we humans were at the top of the food chain.' ***This is a factual statement and it is more or less true, if you discount occassional acts of predation by bears and tigers etc. One might disagree as to whether any value statements can be drawn from this (e.g. therefore humans are better), but the writer doesn`t himself actually claim that, even though he seems to imply it. `Let's face it, cows, sheep and chickens are merely dumb animals, and very tasty they are, too.' *** This is largely a value statement, with the emphasis on `merely' since I think that the man is trying to say that animals are less important than people. It depends on what he means by `dumb`. If he means that they cant talk then he is more-or-less correct. If he is suggesting that they are unintelligent then it depends on what he is comparing them to. `I'm glad we have evolved as much as to be able to enjoy their delicious, nutritious meat.' ***A value statement `With regard to the veal crates: cute these beasties may be, but they don't know any better.' *** Probably a statement of fact, but it is not clear what he means. If he means that calves in crates dont know any other sort of existence, he is probably correct. If he means that they dont have problems in crates, then he is wrong. `Spare a thought for our farmers who are pursuing legitimate business to keep their families fed and clothes.' *** a value statement `I feel it is a sad reflection om today's society when the welfare of a dumb animal takes precedence in some people's minds over that of humanity. ' ***A value statement. `Surely this is another example of the brainwashing of society by ill-advised, fanatical vegetarians.' ***This is probably a statement of fact, but it is difficult to say whether it is true. How many vegetarians became vegetarian through rational consideration of all the arguements for and against? How many became vegetarian through peer pressure, because it was fashionable, without understanding all the relevent arguements? ` I like my steaks. I will continue to enjoy them - rare - and so will my family, regardless of what these people tell me to do." ***This is a value statement in which he indicates that he is not going to be pushed around--- and good for him! Jeff Rushen ============================================================================== From: IN%"BRAITHWAITEL@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" 30-JAN-1995 14:49:56.22 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Conference, ISAE stuff and "Rogue Primate" Monday January 30th, 1995. From: Ms. Leah Braithwaite Re: Livestock and Poultry Behaviour and Equipment Design Conference I am attempting to publicise a very interesting-looking meeting taking place in Indianapolis, USA, April 19-21. I have included the programme and a conference registration form with this submission. If you would like an official registration package please feel free to send an email to me at: BRAITHWAITEL@NCCCOT2.AGR.CA I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the Canadian ISAE members who sent me their Membership Directory Entry Forms. This info. will be passed on to Mark Rutter for the update of the ISAE membership directory. To those Canadians subscribed to the Applied-Ethology Network who don't belong to the International Society of Applied Ethology, I would like to urge you to consider membership. If you would like more information about the ISAE please feel free to email me at the above-mentioned address. Finally, I am currently reading a book entitled "Rogue Primate" written by John A. Livingston, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies at York University. It was published last year by Key Porter books and apparently won a Governor-General's Award (probably for non-fiction but that's not entirely clear to me!) (For non-Canadians this is a very prestigious Canadian literary award). The author develops the idea that humans are a domesticated animal but first spends a chapter on defining domestication. I had a great deal of difficulty accepting his description and wondered if anyone else out there read this book and if so what did you think of it? There is currently a biology course at the University of Guelph being taught using this book as its text. Thanks for your time. Sincerely, Leah Braithwaite, Can. Regional Sec., ISAE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR AND THE DESIGN OF LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY SYSTEMS: AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Ramada Plaza Hotel Indianapolis, Indiana April 19-21, 1995 LEADERSHIP provided by the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University. SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT provived by the Animal Industry Foundation (AIF). SPONSERED BY the Northeast Regional Agriculture Engineering Service (NRAES), with assistance from the Midwest Plan Service. Wednesday, April 19 The Design Process 9:00- 12:45 Registration 12:50 Welcome Stanley E. Curtis, Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University 12:55 Ecological Design: Philosophy and Practice for Livestock Facilities 1:20 The Design Systems T. Jungbluth, Institute of Agricultural Engineering University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany 1:45 Team Design of System Components Richard C. Coddington, College of Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2:10 Discussion 2:30 Break The Behavior of Animals 3:00 Features of Animal Behavior Important for Environmental Design David Fraser, Centre for Food and Animal Welfare, Agricultural Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 3:25 Stress, Disease, and Production Deficits: Incentives for Good Environmental Design Jos H. Metz, Institute for Environmental and Agricultural Engineering (JMAG-DLO), Wageningen, The Netherlands 3:50 Studying Animal Behavior for Direction in Design Ian J.H. Duncan, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada 4:15 Behavioral Reactions to Features and Problems of the Designed Environment Paul B. Siegel, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 4:40 Discussion 5:50 There's More to Design Than Behavior Mike Baxter, Design Research Centre, The University of West London, Egham, Surrey, United Kingdom 5:25 Discussion 5:45 Adjourn 5:45- 7:00 Reception Thursday, April 20 Behavior-Based Methods of Design 8:00 Comparative Evaluation and Development of Housing Systems for Laying Hens Ragnar Tauson, Avian Division, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Funbo L”vsta Research Centre, Uppsala, Sweden 8:25 The Design of Space and Place 8:50 Designing Equipment around Behavior Ian Taylor, Animal Environment Specialists, Inc., Columbus, Ohio 9:15 Designing Systems to Meet Behavioral Needs: The "Family Pen" System for Pigs Sandra Edwards, Scottish Agricultural College, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom 9:40 Discussion 10:00 Break Behavioral Considerations in Design 10:30 Little Things do Matter: Debugging Animal Environments Temple Grandin, Department of Animal Science, Colorado State University 10:50 Waterers for Broilers, Layers, and Turkeys Michael Lacy, Extension Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia 11:10 Feed Bunk and Feeding Equipment Design for Cattle Josef Boxberger, Institute for Agricultural, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Agricultural University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 11:30 Appropriate Designs Facilitate Management of Group-Housed Sows Gerritt van Putten, DLO-Institute for Animal Science and Health, Research Branch, Ziest, The Netherlands 11:50 Discussion 12:10 Lunch 1:40 Farrowing Flooring: Merging Materials to Match Behavior Peter Phillips, Centre for Food and Animal Research, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 2:00 Flooring in Dairy Cattle Facilities Jack L. Albright, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University 2:20 Equipment for Keeping Sows: Gestation and Farrowing John J. McGlone, Department of Animal Science, Texas Tech University 2:40 Automatic or Robotic Milking of Cows Jos H.M. Metz 3:00 Discussion 3:20 Break 3:50 Restraining Livestock Temple Grandin 4:10 Broiler Catching and Transport John Holladay, Bright Coop, Inc., Nacogdoches, Texas 4:30 Pedometer for Estrus Detection Paul Thompson, Bou-Matic (The Dairy Equipment Division of DEC, International, Inc.), Madison, Wisconsin 4:50 Environmental Enrichment: When and How? Anne Marie de Passil‚, Agriculture Canada, Lennoxville, Quebec, Canada 5:10 Discussion 5:30 Adjourn Friday, April 21 Looking at the Big Picture 8:00 Animal Accommodations Are Not Jigsaw Puzzles Stanley E. Curtis 8:25 Combining Equipment and Facilities into an Efficient System Larry D. Jacobson, Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Minnesota 8:50 Quality Evaluation of Equipment and Facilities Bjarne K. Pedersen, The Federation of Danish Pig Producers and Slaughterhouses, Copenhagen, Denmark 9:15 Discussion 9:35 Break Behavior-Based Problem Solving in Practice 10:05 A Case Study with Dairy Cattle: Freestalls Dan McFarland, Penn State Cooperative Extension, York, Pennsylvania 10:20 A Case Study with Swine James McFarlane, Animal Environmental Specialists, Inc., Columbus, Ohio 10:35 A Case Study with Broiler Chickens Josep Mauldin, Extension Poultry Science Department, University of Georgia 10:50 A Case Study with Laying Hens Donald Bell, Cooperative Extension -- Avian Science, University of California, Riverside 11:05 Discussion 11:25 Afterthoughts of an Equipment Manufacturer Dale Boyce, Chore-Time/Brock, Milford, Indiana 11:55 Coda David Fraser 12:10 Adjourn Conference Registration Form Animal Behavior and the Design of Livestock and Poultry Systems An International Conference Ramada Plaza Hotel Indianapolis, Indiana April 19-21, 1995 Registration postmarked on or before March 23, 1995 is $245. Registration post-marked after March 23, 1995 and or walk-ins is $285. Checks must be in U.S. funds. This fee includes admission to the conference, one lunch, a reception, break refreshments, and a copy of the conference proceedings. Name * Organization * (*As you would like it to appear on your conference name tag (40- character limit please) Address City, State, Zip Country Phone Fax (if available) E-mail (if available) Registration Fee Enclosed $245 $285 Sorry, I cannot attend the conference. Please send me a copy of the conference proceedings at $30 each. Payment is enclosed. (The proceedings will be available after the conference. Price applies only to orders in the continental U.S. Call about order to other destinations.) Where to send this form: Make cheque (in U.S. funds) payable to NRAES and return this form before March 23, 1995 to: NRAES Cooperative Extension 152 Riley-Robb Hall Ithaca, NY 14853-5701 (607) 255-7654 No refunds if notice of cancellation is received after April 5, 1995. Extra copies of this brochure are available from NRAES (607) 255- 7654 ============================================================================== From: IN%"APN6MAV@SOUTH-01.NOVELL.LEEDS.ac.uk" "VARLEY M.A." 31-JAN-1995 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Dear Birte and all I have just seen Jeff's analysis of the letter submitted and published in the Aberdeen Press and Journal (I remember the P&J from 6 years living in the frozen North !). I agee with Jeff's analysis that most of consists of very subjective value statements. To answer your end question on the extent of these views, surveys carried out by the MLC's marketing group indicate that about 95-97% of people may hold some of the views which are expressed by the farmer. In relation to the desire to continue eating meat, this is what the Unites Kingdom population wish to do. With regards to the farmer's opinions about the worth of animals in the scheme of things, my guess is that there will be a divergence of opinion in the population at large. The farming community may well take the view that their families and businesses come first but they are only about 1.4% of UK voters and are way out on a limb (leg of lamb!). Having said that, I believe that a large proportion of farmers express varying levels of empathy with their animals and also recognize the relationships between humans and animals which may influence the bilogy (and the performance) of the animals. Coming from a family farm as I do, I expect to continue eating and enjoying meat as a nutritional package but at the same time I demand the highest standards possible in the methods used for raising these animals. I tend to hold John Webster's view on the use of animals and as long as the; housing, nutrition, management, health care and ultimate slaughter are compatable with high welfare standards then I have no problem with controlling the transition from life to death for groups of animals and eating them. I would defend any individuals right to be a vegetarian and expect others to respect the views of the meat eating majority. Enjoy your steaks or veggy burgers or whatever turns you on ! Mike Varley Dr Mike Varley Animal Physiology and Nutrition University of Leeds, Leeds, England Tel Int + 44 532 333062 Fax Int + 44 532 333072 Fax/Teleph. Home Int + 44 937 845541 Mobile 0860 102531 e-mail apn6mav@leeds.ac.uk =============================================================================== From: IN%"APN6RGR@SOUTH-01.NOVELL.LEEDS.ac.uk" "RODWAY R.G." 31-JAN-1995 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Peak corticosterone in rats In experiments carried out some time ago we found that corticosterone peaked at about 16.00 in rats kept on 12h light:12h dark with lights on at 7.00 and ad lib. feeding. (Thomas and Rodway, J.Endocrinology(1983) 98 121-127) Regards Richard Rodway =============================================================================== From: IN%"CEM1008@PHOENIX.CAMBRIDGE.ac.uk" 31-JAN-1995 04:40:48.16 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: More rat corticosterone Most authors seem to have found a peak in corticosterone diurnal rhythm at the beginning of the dark period and a trough at the onset of light. eg. Critchlow et al (1963) American journal of Physiology 205: 807-815 Dunn et al (1972) Endocrinology 90: 29-33 Guillemin et al (1959) proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 101: 394-395 Seggie and Brown (1975) Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 53: 629-637 Best Wishes, Caroline Manser ============================================================================= From: IN%"pdkaio@PObox.ruu.nl" "Heleen van de Weerd" 31-JAN-1995 07:47:44.68 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Corticosterone in mice Hello, Referring to the discussion about cortisol and corticosterone, I would like to ask the following questions: Does anybody know if it is possible to assess corticosterone levels in urine of mice? And how long does it take when a mouse is stressed for the increased corticosterone levels to appear in the urine? Perhaps this is known of other animals? Heleen van de Weerd ~ Department of Laboratory Animal Science ~ ~ Utrecht University () () ~ ~ P.O.Box 80.166, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands 0 0 ~ ~ Phone: ++31 30 532033, Telefax: ++31 30 537997 =o= ~ ~ Replacement, Reduction & Refinement of Animal Experiments ~ ============================================================================== From: IN%"aataylor@uoguelph.ca" "Allison A Taylor" 31-JAN-1995 08:45:51.81 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology List" CC: Subj: Value Judgements & Science All (although prompted by Jeff & Mike), I must say I am surprised (and disappointed) to see just how widely the myth asserting the science is (and should be) a value-free process is held. Then again, maybe I'm not. First, a definition: A value judgement (VJ) is a statement asserting what is good or of value. You might even call it (horror of horrors), an HYPOTHESIS. Just because something is a value judgement does not mean that it cannot be true - either in a relative or an absolute sense. Like any hypothesis, a VJ is proposed, and then tested through systematic testing and observation. Sounds a bit like the ol' Scientific Methodology, doesn't it? Recall - philosophy is about knowledge and how we get it. It's only relatively recently that we "scientists" have exiled it to some arena *other than* what *we* do. Science, as each of us practices it, is subject to value judgements (yes, by *us*) on a daily basis. Each of us has made a VJ in deciding what field to study ("I believe that applied ethology is more important than nuclear physics"); what species to work with ("Emu are the best species in which to study this phenomenon"); how to go about gathering data ("This is the best way to assess cortisol levels in rats"); analysing and interpreting data (a 5% level of significance is sufficient to detect a real effect"); and ultimately in the application of the knowledge gained (ie. the resulting ethical judgements: what we should or should not do). I apologize if the rather sarcastic tone of this letter offends some, but I really think it's time that we stop deluding ourselves that science is value-free. It's an easy way out of having to address head on issues such as those raised by the gentleman who wrote the Letter to the Editor that prompted this whole discussion here. Science has a very important role in providing the information necessary so that we may then attempt to answer the more difficult (and I assert, more important) questions he raised (I paraphrase): What is the value of human and of animal life? How do we weigh conflicting interests (eg. humans vs. humans; humans vs. animals; humans vs. the environment, etc); what are our obligations to each other as humans, and why or why not should we extend these same obligations towards animals, the environment, whatever? Fodder for thought, Allison Allison Taylor aataylor@uoguelph.ca ============================================================================== "Not conversing," said Eeyore. "Not first one and then the other. You said 'Hallo' and Flashed Past. I saw your tail in the distance as I was meditating my reply. I -had- thought of saying 'What?' - but, of course, it was then too late." A.A. Milne ============================================================================== From: IN%"esa099@ed.sac.ac.uk" 31-JAN-1995 08:57:26.49 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Public opinion revisited I agree with Jeff Rushen and Mike Varley, and the letter was merely included to provide an example of a point of view, which, to a lot of people, probably was thought-provoking in one way or another. My question is, however, that if it is the responsibility of the scientific community tp provide objective information, how and to whom is this information communicated? Currently most scientific findings are passed on by the scientist(s) through papers in scientific journals or as presentations at conferences, both of which are aimed at other scientists. A large proportion of the 'public' will obtain most of their knowledge of recent scientific results from school and/or the media. The latter tend to be in the form of news items (cures for cancer on the one hand and slightly amusing items on the other, preferably with some mad looking scientist in the foreground). Schools are attended by mostly the younger generation and do not usually teach about the latest scientific discoveries (and justifiably so). Farmers, as a minority group, may, dependent on the country, be informed by consultants in agriculture. So who (or what) connects these two lines of communication? To return to my original question, we (hopefully) all agree that the scientific community should provide objective information, but should 'we' provide it to the PUBLIC or is that not our RESPONSIBILITY? And finally, as they say on certain News programmes in this country, how does Jeff Rushen know that the Letter to the Editor was written by a man? Birte Nielsen GABS, Bush Estate Penicuik EH26 0QE Scotland UK email esa099@esavax.ed.ac.uk =============================================================================== From: IN%"JSWANSON@oz.oznet.ksu.edu" "JANICE SWANSON" 31-JAN-1995 10:33:48.86 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: More on Meat I also agree with Jeff's assessment of the author's statements concerning the eating of meat. Indeed they are value-laden. Here in the United States vegetarianism has taken on a politically correct face in different parts of our country. Perceptions of meat eaters have ranged from barbaric dimwits to obese artery clogged couch potatoes waiting for a heart attack. Although animal welfare may have some influence on peoples choice of foods I believe that it is not the primary concern, at least here in the U.S. Health seems to be the primary motivator towards increasing vegetable, legume and fruit intake and decreasing red meat and other animal product consumption. A recent survey (you can find a brief summary in the Jan. 15th issue of the National Hog Farmer) suggests that many persons referring to themselves as vegetarians are not in practice. The survey indicated that self-identified vegetarians in the U.S. (a survey sample of 4,000 households taken from U.S. census information to be certain of a diverse sample) still consume 2.3 oz. of meat daily. Meat eaters consumed only 1.2 oz. more than the vegetarians on a daily basis. Most practicing vegetarians are supplementing their diets with milk and cheese products and eggs or fish/shellfish. I would suggest that a very small number of people are disciplined enough to be vegans. Regardless of what this particular survey has found I believe it is quite difficult for most persons to envision giving-up animal products. Animal products are a simple supplement to the diet. The perception of vegetarianism, true or not, is that it is more difficult to maintain a balance. The gentleman in the Aberdeen Press was most certainly feeling threatened by the thought of losing his choice. Dr. Varley's view of the use of animals for the purpose of meat production probably holds true for many of the farmers here in the United States as well. Its the setting of those high welfare standards that breeds the most contentious debates. And these debates do in fact involve the direct or indirect discussion of values. I personally do not know how applied ethologist's believe that they can avoid the value-laden aspect of this debate. Does this mean we only throw into the debate what science can define and let the chips fall where they may? Are we really that objective? Food for thought............. Janice Swanson ============================================================================== From: IN%"M.A.W.RUIS@ID.AGRO.NL" 31-JAN-1995 10:38:41.37 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: total versus free cortisol Jeff Rushen said: >Whether to use free or total cortisol, or plasma or salivary >cortisol depends on the question being asked. Bob Parrott (Brit Vet >Journal- sorry I have lost the reference!) compared plasma and >salivary cortisol following ACTH. As far as I remember, they were >fairly well correlated except that salivary cortisol showed a much >slower response and the response was blunted in that the maximum >reached was much lower. Therefore if the speed of the response is >important, or you are looking for fine discrimination between >treatments, then I suggest that salivary cortisol may not be the >best. Don Broom (and I think Mike Mendl- who is probably listening) >have also made some comparisons. Parrott et al. (Parrott, R.F., B.H. Misson and B.A. Baldwin, 1989. Salivary cortisol in pigs following adrenocorticotrophic hormone stimulation: comparison with plasma levels. Brit. Vet. Journal., 145: 362-366) concluded from their experiments that salivary cortisol is a less sensitive measure of adrenal activity. They found a delayed response of salivary cortisol compared to plasma cortisol following ACTH-injection. This response was also much lower: plasma cortisol showed a maximum increase of approximately 230% whereas salivary cortisol increased only by 130%. However, studies in man (review: Kirschbaum, C. and D.H. Hellhammer, 1989. Salivary cortisol in psychobiological research: an overview. Biological Psychology/Pharmacopsychology. Neuropsychobiology, 22: 150-169) show that free cortisol is rapidly transferred from plasma to saliva causing peak values in plasma to be followed by maximum concentrations in saliva within minutes. Moreover, own (unpublished) results show highest salivary cortisol levels in 20 min. after the onset of stress in pigs (stressors: nosesling for 5 min., driving for 15 min.), suggesting a quick rise of cortisol in saliva. In addition, results of Vining et al. (Vining, R.F., R.A. McGinley and J.J. Maksvytis, 1983. Saliva cortisol: a better measure of adrenal cortical function than serum cortisol. Ann. Cli. Biochem., 20: 329-335) and Parrot and Misson (unpublished, in Parrott et al., 1989) demonstrated an enhanced sensitivity of salivary cortisol following stimulation with ACTH, resp. in man (5-10 times higher increase in serum free and salivary cortisol when compared to elevated levels in serum total cortisol) and sheep (410 and 561% increase in cortisol resp. in plasma and saliva). An explanation for this might be a rapid saturation of the cortisol binding globulin with rising plasma levels, resulting in higher free cortisol levels. As for a correlation between plasma total and salivary cortisol, Parrott et al. (1989) showed that basal levels of salivary cortisol were approximately 10% of those in plasma. However, these results are derived from unstimulated conditions. Studies in man (review of Kirschbaum and Hellhammer; see earlier) show that under various conditions levels and affinity of circulating cortisol binding globulin change. As a consequence, relations between plasma total and salivary cortisol are affected. >If you want to measure the animals perception of the stressor by >examining HPA activity then it is best to measures CRF (if >possible), then ACTH, then cortisol in that order. This is >especially true when examining individual differences since animals >differ in how sensitive the pituitary is to CRF and how sensitive >the adrenal cortex is to ACTH. Consequently, cortisol can give a >very noisy reflection of CRF secretion. Of course, if the question >is crude enough, this may be enough: I have done some studies >looking at whether there is opioid control of the HPA axis in pigs >during stress, and total cortisol gives an acceptable answer to >this type of question. It is not obvious to me that measures of >free cortisol would have given a clearer answer. But, as a general >rule, the more things measured, the better. Perception of a stressor might influence affinity of circulating cortisol binding globulin. I imagine that an organism not only reacts in terms of higher cortisol secretion but also by lower binding capacity of cortisol to the binding globulins. So it might happen that perception of a stressor not results in higher total cortisol whereas the free cortisol fraction changes. In this case measures of free cortisol gives a better answer. >In any case, it is preferable to measure changes in other endocrine/ >immuneparameters as well rather than relying on cortisol measures only. I agree with this. Marko Ruis Institute for Animal Science and Health (ID-DLO) Research Branch Zeist P.O. Box 501 3700 AM Zeist The Netherlands ============================================================================== From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 31-JAN-1995 11:37:18.09 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Science and values (was Public Opinion) Allison A Taylor writes: >All (although prompted by Jeff & Mike), >I must say I am surprised (and disappointed) to see just how >widely the myth asserting the science is (and should be) a value- >free process is held. Who are `Jeff and Mike'? You obviously aren`t referring to Mike Varley or myself since there was nothing in our messages about science being value free. Mike can speak for himself, but I dont believe science is value free. It might be better if it were, but I think this is impossible. What I said was that when dealing with comments from the public about animal welfare issues we, as scientists, should restrict ourselves to providing scientific information, rather than pushing our own values. If we do the latter, then we should not use our position as scientists to give false weight to our own values. Furthermore, I suggest that we only present scientific information about which there is some general agreement, rather than controversial findings. Nothing degrades the value of science in the eyes of the public more than seeing two scientists acting as `expert witnesses' and supporting totally opposite views! Consider the following dialogue: J. Bloggs, unemployed used-car salesman: `I think animals are as important as people' Version 1: Professor Dr. S. Smythe, B. Sc., M. Sc., Ph. D., FRS, FRCVS, MNAS, MBE. Professor Emeritus in Animal Welfare, Royal Veterinary College, Visiting Prof. in Animal Welfare Science, University of Harvard: `J. Bloggs is wrong. People are more important than animals' or Version 2: S. Smythe, 33 Loveley Crescent, Epping NW34: `J. Bloggs is wrong. People are more important than animals'. My questions to Allison: Should we believe Prof. Dr. Smythe more than J. Bloggs because she is a scientist and an expert in animal welfare? Who is being more honest when discussing values, Prof. Dr. S. Smythe of the Royal Vet. College., or S. Smythe of Epping? Further on she says: >You might even call it (horror of horrors), an HYPOTHESIS. Just >because something is a value judgement does not mean that it >cannot be true - either in a relative or an absolute sense. Like >any hypothesis, a VJ is proposed, and then tested through >systematic testing and observation. Sounds a bit like the ol' >Scientific Methodology, doesn't it? You might be able to test the value `hypothesis' that animals are less important than people by examining its consistency with other value statements or with some ethical system. But I dont see how you could test it with scientific data. How could you? Jeff Rushen ============================================================================= From: IN%"J.J.B.WADHAM@BHAM.ac.uk" 31-JAN-1995 11:40:12.87 To: IN%"Applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Using animals in animal welfare Dear All, Many of us on this newsgroup are involved in refining the ways' animals are used in medical and veterinary research. Our objective is to reduce the stress burden imposed upon one or more species of animal during this research. However, this inevitably entails using members of those species and exposing them to some quantity of stress and ultimately their destruction. I would be interested in peoples views as to how or if we should or can justify this to ourselves and to others (you may have to read that sentence again, I think it makes sense!) My view is that, although the use of animals in research is vital today, our eventual goal must be to eradicate their use. Unfortunately, I do not consider this a viable possibility in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we must improve their lot in the mean time (You may notice that I have rather unsubtalely avoided my own question!). We have such a long journey ahead. Good luck. Jerry. J.J.B.Wadham |JANET : J.J.B.Wadham@uk.ac.bham Biomedical Science and Ethics |Internet: J.J.B.Wadham@bham.ac.uk Medical School | University of Birmingham | Birmingham | B15 2TT |Tel : +44-(0)121 414 5390 United Kingdom |Fax : +44-(0)121 414 6979 ============================================================================== From: IN%"shale@dekalb.DC.PeachNet.EDU" "Steven L Hale" 31-JAN-1995 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: The ethology of ethology Although the focus of the list is on _applied_ ethology, many applications entail ethical decisions, hence recent discussions like Mike Varley's and Allison Taylor's. Echoing Allison's assertion that all science is value laden, I'd like to suggest that the study of ethology is itself a form of animal behavior, influenced by the training & background of the ethologist, as well as external stimuli from community standards, faculty politics, economics, laws, protests, etc., and as a form of behavior, the study and application of ethology can itself change or evolve. Thus, while the number of human carnivores may sustain and to some extent legitimize certain farming and laboratory practices, many assumptions of farmers & researchers would be altered (if not invalidated) should the entire human population turn vegetarian (better still, vegan). To talk about "animal welfare" or "the most humane way to raise beef cattle" is not to refer to a quantifiable absolute of behavior or control, but to identify one's own consciousness or values at that particular moment. ============================================================================== From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 31-JAN-1995 12:17:03.01 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: oh you sexist, you! >And finally, as they say on certain News programmes in this >country, how does Jeff Rushen know that the Letter to the Editor >was written by a man? Blush! Despite my efforts to appear politically correct, Birte has uncovered a secret vein of sexism in me. The writer of the letter struck me as somewhat arrogant and aggressive, and uninterested in the finer, intellectual points of the matter; I assumed it must be a man. I promise not to express any more such prejudices on this network. (By the way, I thought that Birte`s comment showed a very quick mind, so even if Birte does live in Scotland, he is, nevertheless, very intelligent) Jeff Rushen ============================================================================== From: IN%"mrenner@wcupa.edu" "Renner, Michael" 31-JAN-1995 14:13:56.70 To: IN%"applied-ethology-error@sask.usask.ca" "applied-ethology-error" CC: Subj: RE: oh you sexist, you! How do you know that Birte is a he? ---------- From: applied-ethology-error To: APPLIED-ETHOLOGY Subject: oh you sexist, you! Date: Tuesday, January 31, 1995 12:12PM >And finally, as they say on certain News programmes in this >country, how does Jeff Rushen know that the Letter to the Editor >was written by a man? Blush! Despite my efforts to appear politically correct, Birte has uncovered a secret vein of sexism in me. The writer of the letter struck me as somewhat arrogant and aggressive, and uninterested in the finer, intellectual points of the matter; I assumed it must be a man. I promise not to express any more such prejudices on this network. (By the way, I thought that Birte`s comment showed a very quick mind, so even if Birte does live in Scotland, he is, nevertheless, very intelligent) Jeff Rushen ============================================================================== From: IN%"u8421aa@sunmail.lrz-muenchen.de" 31-JAN-1995 14:35:23.06 To: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" CC: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" Subj: RE: total versus free cortisol Dear All, I guess that together with Mike Mendl we hold the world record in saliva collection and cortisol measurement (in pigs at least). Although the all procedure seems to be very easy, there are methodological problems which must be taken in consideration. In a recent work we addressed the question whether or not differences in the biochemical profile of pig saliva may affect cortisol concentration. Our results suggested that some care must be taken in this regard. The contribution of the different salivary glands is also often forgotten. Saliva is produced by three pairs of major salivary glands: the parotid (parasympathetic nerve supply: glossopharyngeal) submandibular and sublingual glands (parasympathetic nerve supply: facial) and several accessory glands (present throughout the oral mucosa) which are under "local control". A gross description of the secretory cell types can be made in either serous cells and mucous cells . The parotid gland has mainly serous cells and its secretion is watery, rich in enzymes and antibodies (IgA). The sublingual glands consists mainly of mucous cells and the secretion of the submandibular is somewhere in between. The metabolism of cortisol in the salivary glands seems to be different (Pig parotid converts cortisol to cortisone and submandibular shows no effect, Booth & Lambie). Human studies were certainly more rewarding than our pig work (I think Mike agree) regarding the correlation between plasma cortisol (total and free) and salivary cortisol. The difference is mainly related to the colection technique. Our recent work showed that a careful collected saliva sample (pigs) can be a good indicator of the HPA axis activity and correlates well with plasma values. I am still very fond of saliva as a body fluid for physiological assessement. Pig saliva for example is rich in pteridines and some of them may be an indicator of macrophage activation (neopterin). We are testing an interesting device at momment. It is a capillar column (1cm X 2mm) which can harvest glucocorticoid for up 10 hours. One of our colleagues succeed in finding a very elegant way to keep this column in our experimental subjects (the most difficult task I suspect). Very soon (I hope) I can get back with our results. A.J.Zanella ITVT-LMU Munich- Germany ============================================================================= From: IN%"HARRISM@sask.usask.ca" 31-JAN-1995 14:59:40.06 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "etho-list" CC: Subj: A Vegetarian Question Following on from the discussion about vegetarianism, I propose a simple non-scientific survey using members of this list (non-representative, since participation will be by individual choice). Are you a vegetarian? Do you eat any meat or fish? Are you a vegan (no animal products). Rather than a flood (trickle?) of list postings saying things like "I am", "No, I'm not", please send your answers to me, and I'll come back to the list in a bit with some results. Please feel free to add your comments, or tell me about dietary preferences of friends/family members. -- Moira Harris ============================================================================== From: IN%"RUSHENJ@NCCCOT.AGR.CA" "JEFF RUSHEN" 31-JAN-1995 15:27:35.92 To: IN%"APPLIED-ETHOLOGY@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Conference announcement From: OTTGW::IN%"LPN-L@BROWNVM.brown.edu" "Laboratory Primate Newsletter List" 31-JAN-1995 12:59:02.78 To: IN%"LPN-L@BROWNVM.brown.edu" "Multiple recipients of list LPN-L" CC: Subj: Conference Announcement Conference Announcement: _In The Company of Animals_ "In the Company of Animals," a cross-disciplinary conference designed to explore the complex and increasingly controversial rela- tionship between humans and other animals, will be held April 6-8, 1995, at the New School for Social Research in New York City. Ques- tions about our relationship to animals have been fueled in recent years by animal rights activism, the ecology movement, and new discov- eries in biology, psychology, and other sciences, generating politi- cal, religious, social, and economic schisms. The conference will fea- ture seven sessions in which leading scientists, humanists, and activists will deliver original papers and commentary aimed at illumi- nating animal-human relationships down through the ages, thereby giv- ing both interested professionals and laymen an historical and cul- tural framework that can help them contribute to a sensible and hopefully nonviolent resolution of some very important problems. The conference is sponsored by _Social Research_, the international quar- terly of the New School's Graduate Faculty of Political and Social Science. For conference information, write or call Evelyn Roberts, "In the Company of Animals," _Social Research_, 65 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 [212-229-5755; FAX: 212-229-5476] =============================================================================== From: IN%"HARRISM@sask.usask.ca" 31-JAN-1995 16:47:06.75 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: ps on poll For those readers who are sensitive about dietary preferences, I should add that any replies will be strictly confidential ... - Moira