Comprehensive evaluation of dairy ewe welfare in Algerian intensive farms using the BIENE protocol

This study is the first to apply the behaviour, immunity, nutrition and environment (BIENE) protocol to assess dairy ewe welfare in intensive farms in Algeria. A total of ۱,۹۶۴ ewes from ۵۰ farms in the Algiers region were evaluated between December ۲۰۲۲ and March ۲۰۲۳ using ۱۳ animal-based indicators related to nutrition, housing, health, and behavior. Moderate tooth loss affected ۵۴.۶۷ ± ۳.۳۲% of ewes, and ۲۰.۳۸ ± ۲.۷۸% had a low body condition score (< ۲). Housing problems included fleece moisture (۱۱.۲۸ ± ۲.۵۵%) and over ۴۰.۰۰% soiling of flanks and hindquarters. Health issues, such as mild anemia (۲۳.۵۵%), lameness (۲۶.۴۵%), nasal discharge (۳۵.۴۷ ± ۴.۴۳%), and labored breathing (۸.۷۹ ± ۱.۴۷%), were observed. In terms of behavior, most ewes appeared attentive and active, although ۴۰.۵۵% showed fear and ۱۹.۹۰% aggression. Flight time increased from ۲.۵۰ ± ۰.۰۷ sec to ۳.۸۰ ± ۰.۰۷ sec, and animals maintained greater distance from the corridor (۲.۷۹ ± ۰.۰۸ m) than from the observer (۱.۸۵ ± ۰.۰۶ m). Principal component analysis of qualitative behavior assessment identified three clusters, including well-being, discomfort, and vitality. Spearman correlation analysis showed that relaxed ewes had better body condition score (r = ۰.۲۹) and were less likely to be lame (r = – ۰.۳۲) or anemic (r = – ۰.۳۷). Vigorous ewes showed fewer signs of respiratory distress (r = – ۰.۳۲), while apathetic ones were more prone to poor conditioning (r = ۰.۳۱) and injuries (r = ۰.۳۰).The BIENE protocol proved effective in detecting major welfare issues in intensive Algerian sheep farming.

کلیدواژه ها:

Algeria ، Animal welfare ، behavioral indicators ، BIENE protocol ، Dairy sheep