Moutaz Alhamada - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Moutaz Alhamada
La demande en produits animaux pousse les éleveurs à réduire les intrants et supprimer les traite... more La demande en produits animaux pousse les éleveurs à réduire les intrants et supprimer les traitements hormonaux pour la maîtrise de la reproduction des ovins. Ces exigences ont relancé les études sur des méthodes qui s’appuient davantage sur les comportements spontanés des mâles et des femelles. Le détecteur électronique des chaleurs, développé par l’UMR Selmet, semblait prometteur et il fallait l’accompagner de validations expérimentales. Ces études ont été réalisées en race Mérinos d’Arles du Domaine du Merle qui sont élevées en système d’élevage extensif et se reproduisent à contre saison. Nous avons tout d’abord validé ce détecteur sur des brebis suivies par vidéo. Nous montrons que 93% des chevauchements sont effectivement enregistrés et comme les brebis en œstrus acceptent plusieurs chevauchements : toutes les brebis sont détectées. Dans une deuxième étape nous avons utilisés plusieurs béliers avec des effectifs plus importants (n=60). Ceci nous a confirmé, pour la brebis des...
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 26, 2016
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 24, 2018
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 18, 2022
International audienceShortage and refeeding situations lead to switches in metabolic pathwaysind... more International audienceShortage and refeeding situations lead to switches in metabolic pathwaysinduced by undernutrition and body reserves (BR) replenishment cycles. In a 122-d experiment, we studied adaptive mechanisms in 36 adult non-pregnant Mérinos d’Arles ewes, selected with similar BW and BCS. Ewes were acclimated to diet ingredients (i.e., wheat straw, pelleted alfalfa and sugar beet pulp) and to the facility environment during 22 d. Then, the “diet challenge” (planes of nutrition; 12 ewes each) was applied during the first 50 d (normally fed, Control; underfed, Under; overfed, Over) and an individual monitoring (twice a week) of BW, BCS and energy metabolism was carried out. Then, a “refeeding challenge” was applied during the last 50 d (i.e., diets were adjusted using the same ingredients). The last day, the lipolytic activity was studied with a “β-adrenergic challenge” (4 nmol/ kg BW of isoproterenol) to the same ewes (BCS according to diet; i.e., Normal, Lean and Fat, resp...
International audienceDuring a 5-year longitudinal study, we assessed the main factors impacting ... more International audienceDuring a 5-year longitudinal study, we assessed the main factors impacting the short-term ovarian response of ewes to the male effect (ME) in a commercial organic dairy sheep farm. Each year the cyclicity before ME and the ovarian response following ME was monitored within a flock varying from 228 to 269 adult Lacaune dairy ewes. Mature rams (from 3 to 12 each year), equipped with an apron that prevented mating, were introduced at D0 (day of the ME) for 14 days. Blood samples were collected at D-10, D0 and D+11 to measure plasma progesterone concentrations and determine the occurrence of cyclicity before the ME as well as the proportion of ewes responding to the ME. We collected for each ewe five continuous and two categorical explanatory variables: age, lambing to ME (LME) interval,total milk production, third milk control, last litter size and body condition score (BCS). The BCS was classified into three categories: High (BCS>3), Medium (2<BCS≤3) and Lo...
It is generally accepted that nutritional status of the ewe affects its fertility. It has however... more It is generally accepted that nutritional status of the ewe affects its fertility. It has however never been shown that ram’s decision to mate a ewe may also contribute to this fertility. Such a ram’s decision remains mostly unknown although even if many factors may influence its choice. Inversely, ewes’ behaviour may also take part. Its behaviour has been characterised by using three criterions resulting from different pen-tests to be held during limited time. Attractiveness (A)[1] of an estrus ewe is defined as its relative ranking within a group of ewes considering the time spent by the ram when courting and mounting each of them. Considering time spent seeking for rams gives the criterion of Proceptivity of the ewe (P)[2] i.e. % of time spent close to rams in a situation of choice between rams and ewes. Finally, ewe Receptivity (R)[2] is the number of agonistic activities toward a unique ram placed with the ewe. Thirty-six Merinos d’Arles ewes with similar age, body weight (BW; ...
animal
The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately m... more The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately mating or artificial insemination in small ruminants. It constitutes an alternative to hormonal treatments in conventional breeding systems and, to shift and organise the yearly production cycle, is currently the only solution complying with European organic standards. However, its associated performances are still heterogeneous, both in terms of the global response and the extent of reproductive synchronisation of the females, due to complex interactions with environmental factors that limit its use on commercial farms. This study was carried out on a French organic farm under commercial conditions to investigate, in the field and across five consecutive years, the main parameters affecting the early ovarian response to a ram effect on Lacaune dairy ewes. While the within-year binary logistic regressions yielded contrasting results, the cross-year mixed-effect binary logistic regression models clearly showed that parameters associated with the nutritional state of the animals have a profound influence on the ovarian response of the ewes. Indeed, the probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect and of an early ovarian response to the ram effect were positively associated with the body condition score, total milk production and the age of the animals, while being negatively associated with the milk production level at the 3rd milk recording. The probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect were positively associated with the interval between lambing and the introduction of the rams. Altogether, these results indicate that the ovarian performances in response to a male effect follow a bell-curve pattern with optimal performances depending upon a complex combination between photoperiodic and nutritional cues. Regarding these latter, this study highlights the major contribution of body reserves and energy balance dynamics.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 30, 2021
International audienceThe objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a system bas... more International audienceThe objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a system based on an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) accelerometer to assess rams’ sexual behaviour (RSB). 12 adult males (~3.5 years old;), equipped with IMU accelerometers placed between the two shoulder blades, were used in 2 parallel pen tests. The tests were replicated 6 times during the same week and consisted in 30-min. visual observations for each ram interacting with Merinos d’Arles ewes (i.e. ratio= 1 ram per 6 ewes). The RSB was then recorded according to two categories: pre-copulatory (PRE-COP: i.e. number of Anogenital Sniffs AS, Leg Kicks LK, Emission of Sounds ES, Revolve Around the Ewes RAE, Head on the Rump HR and Flehmen Fl) and copulatory (COP: number of mounts MO) behaviours. Raw accelerometer data were analysed by an algorithm developed with the Scilab software (5.4.1,2013). Overall, our results demonstrate the ability of this device to detect some, but not all, of the evaluated PRE-COP (LK, RAE and Fl) and COP behaviours (MO). In total, for the 12 rams used during the 6 tests, 80.5% of the 1,388 COP behaviours visually recorded were automatically detected by the device. Concerning the PRE-COP behaviour, from a total of 18,232 records visually recorded, the best sensitivity was performed with the LK activity (i.e. 66%, 3,002/4,484), whereas for Fl and RAE activities, the values were 57% (32/56) and 32% (67/212), respectively. The technical performance of the device evaluated here was affected both at the inter- and intra-tests levels (depending on the ram and on the behaviour parameter to be interpreted). The absence of effectiveness in interpreting other parameters was likely related to the quality of the algorithm built rather than to the device by itself. In conclusion, our preliminary results demonstrate that some of RSB can be automatically estimated by using this kind of technology. Nevertheless, more research is required to test its effectiveness regarding other RSB and with a more significant number of rams, in other seasons, etc
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jul 1, 2016
Artificial insemination of ewes grouped by a ram effect is feasible with the use of automated oes... more Artificial insemination of ewes grouped by a ram effect is feasible with the use of automated oestrus detector. 18. International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR
L’utilisation du croisement en elevage ovin est frequente. Ces croisements s’effectuent generalem... more L’utilisation du croisement en elevage ovin est frequente. Ces croisements s’effectuent generalement en introduisant des beliers d’une autre race que celle du troupeau afin d’ameliorer les performances. Le comportement sexuel de beliers Merinos d’Arles face `a des brebis de la meme race et de brebis Lacaune introduites 3 mois auparavant dans le troupeau a ete etudie. Materiel & Methodes : Le comportement sexuel de six beliers a ete etudie en les mettant en contact avec un lot de 3 brebis en chaleurs et de 3 brebis en phase luteale (induite par pose d’une eponge vaginale). Les lots de brebis etaient, a chaque fois, composes de 2 brebis Merinos et de 4 brebis Lacaune, pour moitie en chaleur. Au cours de chaque test de 30 minutes (30’), les beliers ont ete observes individuellement et leurs comportements sexuels enregistres. Les comportements ont ete regroupes en activites exploratoires (flairage, son, coups de patte, flehmen, tete sur la croupe et mouvements de la langue) et consommat...
La demande en produits animaux pousse les eleveurs a reduire les intrants et supprimer les traite... more La demande en produits animaux pousse les eleveurs a reduire les intrants et supprimer les traitements hormonaux pour la maitrise de la reproduction des ovins. Ces exigences ont relance les etudes sur des methodes qui s’appuient davantage sur les comportements spontanes des mâles et des femelles. Le detecteur electronique des chaleurs, developpe par l’UMR Selmet, semblait prometteur et il fallait l’accompagner de validations experimentales. Ces etudes ont ete realisees en race Merinos d’Arles du Domaine du Merle qui sont elevees en systeme d’elevage extensif et se reproduisent a contre saison. Nous avons tout d’abord valide ce detecteur sur des brebis suivies par video. Nous montrons que 93% des chevauchements sont effectivement enregistres et comme les brebis en œstrus acceptent plusieurs chevauchements : toutes les brebis sont detectees. Dans une deuxieme etape nous avons utilises plusieurs beliers avec des effectifs plus importants (n=60). Ceci nous a confirme, pour la brebis des...
Journal of Dairy Science, 2021
BackgroundIn order to maintain homeostasis, ruminants submitted to alternating shortage and refee... more BackgroundIn order to maintain homeostasis, ruminants submitted to alternating shortage and refeeding situations manifest switches in metabolic pathways induced by undernutrition and body reserves (BR) replenishment cycles. The objective of this experiment was to study adaptive regulatory mechanisms present during subsequent feeding transition periods and the inherent lipolytic activity of the adipose tissue in individuals with contrasted BR. Three diets containing different levels of energy were offered to 36 mature, dry, non-pregnant Mérinos d’Arles ewes in an experiment lasting 122 days. Ewes were selected with similar body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and were allocated into three equivalent treatments according to the plane of nutrition: normally fed (Control); underfed (Under) or overfed (Over). The BW, BCS and individual energy metabolism were monitored. At the end of the experiment, lipolytic activity of adipose tissue was studied through a ß-adrenergic challenge ...
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2018
Abstract Monitoring bodyweight ( BW ) is a critical practice used for management purposes (e.g. a... more Abstract Monitoring bodyweight ( BW ) is a critical practice used for management purposes (e.g. assessing weight gain, body condition or establishing slaughtering schedules). Measuring BW indoors is relatively easy although time and labor consuming. However, recording BW outdoors may become difficult. The aim of this project was to trial an automated small ruminant weighing prototype using the remote weighing concept of walk-over-weighing ( WoW ), combined with radio-frequency identification and designed to be light, resistant, transportable and autonomous in energy. The BW is collected as the animal crosses freely over the WoW platform, strategically placed in an obligatory path combined with a small yard containing water and mineral salts as incentives. We studied the system's efficacy in a series of experiments under a range of sheep farming situations (i.e. indoor and outdoor). Time required for achieving individual voluntary passages, the number of daily visits and the proportion of biologically plausible BW records were analysed. The Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient ( CCC ) was used to establish the agreement between WoW records and the gold standard BW measurements (static weighing scale). Our results showed the feasibility of recording BW with free and voluntary passage of sheep with controlled sheep flow over the platform while preventing congestion. After 2–3 weeks of adaptation, 100% of animals crossed daily. Sheep misbehaviour (e.g. speed of passage) can result in spurious values and accounted for many of the larger weight discrepancies. Once outliers were removed, the prediction accuracy of the system and the CCC ranged between 0.89 and 0.98, showing a substantial agreement between the two methods. Using this standalone WoW system, it was possible to record daily individual BW, which may contribute to save labor and time while providing timely information to improve productivity and animal welfare under varying farming conditions.
Small Ruminant Research, 2017
Animal, 2017
We investigated if sexual behaviour of rams can be assessed with an electronic Alpha-Detector (AD... more We investigated if sexual behaviour of rams can be assessed with an electronic Alpha-Detector (AD) which automatically records mounts of mating rams. To evaluate the rams’ libido (i.e. all sexual activities), we used six intact and six vasectomised rams in pen tests in three different seasons (late spring, autumn and early spring). The pen tests consisted of 30-min visual observations of each ram placed in a group of six Merino ewes (three ewes in oestrus and three ewes not in oestrus). In the pen tests, sexual behaviour was recorded and divided into two categories: pre-copulatory and copulatory. For validation purposes, during the pen tests the 12 rams were equipped with the AD and the number of times the 18 oestrous ewes were mounted were counted over a period of 3 days. Of the 1191 mounts visually identified in the six 30-min sessions, 1026 were recorded automatically by the AD (i.e. 94%). The paddock test is an automated method consisting of the same rams wearing an AD and place...
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2017
Small Ruminant Research, 2016
La demande en produits animaux pousse les éleveurs à réduire les intrants et supprimer les traite... more La demande en produits animaux pousse les éleveurs à réduire les intrants et supprimer les traitements hormonaux pour la maîtrise de la reproduction des ovins. Ces exigences ont relancé les études sur des méthodes qui s’appuient davantage sur les comportements spontanés des mâles et des femelles. Le détecteur électronique des chaleurs, développé par l’UMR Selmet, semblait prometteur et il fallait l’accompagner de validations expérimentales. Ces études ont été réalisées en race Mérinos d’Arles du Domaine du Merle qui sont élevées en système d’élevage extensif et se reproduisent à contre saison. Nous avons tout d’abord validé ce détecteur sur des brebis suivies par vidéo. Nous montrons que 93% des chevauchements sont effectivement enregistrés et comme les brebis en œstrus acceptent plusieurs chevauchements : toutes les brebis sont détectées. Dans une deuxième étape nous avons utilisés plusieurs béliers avec des effectifs plus importants (n=60). Ceci nous a confirmé, pour la brebis des...
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 26, 2016
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jun 24, 2018
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 18, 2022
International audienceShortage and refeeding situations lead to switches in metabolic pathwaysind... more International audienceShortage and refeeding situations lead to switches in metabolic pathwaysinduced by undernutrition and body reserves (BR) replenishment cycles. In a 122-d experiment, we studied adaptive mechanisms in 36 adult non-pregnant Mérinos d’Arles ewes, selected with similar BW and BCS. Ewes were acclimated to diet ingredients (i.e., wheat straw, pelleted alfalfa and sugar beet pulp) and to the facility environment during 22 d. Then, the “diet challenge” (planes of nutrition; 12 ewes each) was applied during the first 50 d (normally fed, Control; underfed, Under; overfed, Over) and an individual monitoring (twice a week) of BW, BCS and energy metabolism was carried out. Then, a “refeeding challenge” was applied during the last 50 d (i.e., diets were adjusted using the same ingredients). The last day, the lipolytic activity was studied with a “β-adrenergic challenge” (4 nmol/ kg BW of isoproterenol) to the same ewes (BCS according to diet; i.e., Normal, Lean and Fat, resp...
International audienceDuring a 5-year longitudinal study, we assessed the main factors impacting ... more International audienceDuring a 5-year longitudinal study, we assessed the main factors impacting the short-term ovarian response of ewes to the male effect (ME) in a commercial organic dairy sheep farm. Each year the cyclicity before ME and the ovarian response following ME was monitored within a flock varying from 228 to 269 adult Lacaune dairy ewes. Mature rams (from 3 to 12 each year), equipped with an apron that prevented mating, were introduced at D0 (day of the ME) for 14 days. Blood samples were collected at D-10, D0 and D+11 to measure plasma progesterone concentrations and determine the occurrence of cyclicity before the ME as well as the proportion of ewes responding to the ME. We collected for each ewe five continuous and two categorical explanatory variables: age, lambing to ME (LME) interval,total milk production, third milk control, last litter size and body condition score (BCS). The BCS was classified into three categories: High (BCS>3), Medium (2<BCS≤3) and Lo...
It is generally accepted that nutritional status of the ewe affects its fertility. It has however... more It is generally accepted that nutritional status of the ewe affects its fertility. It has however never been shown that ram’s decision to mate a ewe may also contribute to this fertility. Such a ram’s decision remains mostly unknown although even if many factors may influence its choice. Inversely, ewes’ behaviour may also take part. Its behaviour has been characterised by using three criterions resulting from different pen-tests to be held during limited time. Attractiveness (A)[1] of an estrus ewe is defined as its relative ranking within a group of ewes considering the time spent by the ram when courting and mounting each of them. Considering time spent seeking for rams gives the criterion of Proceptivity of the ewe (P)[2] i.e. % of time spent close to rams in a situation of choice between rams and ewes. Finally, ewe Receptivity (R)[2] is the number of agonistic activities toward a unique ram placed with the ewe. Thirty-six Merinos d’Arles ewes with similar age, body weight (BW; ...
animal
The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately m... more The male effect is an effective natural technique to induce off-season ovulation and ultimately mating or artificial insemination in small ruminants. It constitutes an alternative to hormonal treatments in conventional breeding systems and, to shift and organise the yearly production cycle, is currently the only solution complying with European organic standards. However, its associated performances are still heterogeneous, both in terms of the global response and the extent of reproductive synchronisation of the females, due to complex interactions with environmental factors that limit its use on commercial farms. This study was carried out on a French organic farm under commercial conditions to investigate, in the field and across five consecutive years, the main parameters affecting the early ovarian response to a ram effect on Lacaune dairy ewes. While the within-year binary logistic regressions yielded contrasting results, the cross-year mixed-effect binary logistic regression models clearly showed that parameters associated with the nutritional state of the animals have a profound influence on the ovarian response of the ewes. Indeed, the probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect and of an early ovarian response to the ram effect were positively associated with the body condition score, total milk production and the age of the animals, while being negatively associated with the milk production level at the 3rd milk recording. The probabilities of a spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity before the ram effect were positively associated with the interval between lambing and the introduction of the rams. Altogether, these results indicate that the ovarian performances in response to a male effect follow a bell-curve pattern with optimal performances depending upon a complex combination between photoperiodic and nutritional cues. Regarding these latter, this study highlights the major contribution of body reserves and energy balance dynamics.
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Aug 30, 2021
International audienceThe objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a system bas... more International audienceThe objective of this study was to evaluate the suitability of a system based on an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) accelerometer to assess rams’ sexual behaviour (RSB). 12 adult males (~3.5 years old;), equipped with IMU accelerometers placed between the two shoulder blades, were used in 2 parallel pen tests. The tests were replicated 6 times during the same week and consisted in 30-min. visual observations for each ram interacting with Merinos d’Arles ewes (i.e. ratio= 1 ram per 6 ewes). The RSB was then recorded according to two categories: pre-copulatory (PRE-COP: i.e. number of Anogenital Sniffs AS, Leg Kicks LK, Emission of Sounds ES, Revolve Around the Ewes RAE, Head on the Rump HR and Flehmen Fl) and copulatory (COP: number of mounts MO) behaviours. Raw accelerometer data were analysed by an algorithm developed with the Scilab software (5.4.1,2013). Overall, our results demonstrate the ability of this device to detect some, but not all, of the evaluated PRE-COP (LK, RAE and Fl) and COP behaviours (MO). In total, for the 12 rams used during the 6 tests, 80.5% of the 1,388 COP behaviours visually recorded were automatically detected by the device. Concerning the PRE-COP behaviour, from a total of 18,232 records visually recorded, the best sensitivity was performed with the LK activity (i.e. 66%, 3,002/4,484), whereas for Fl and RAE activities, the values were 57% (32/56) and 32% (67/212), respectively. The technical performance of the device evaluated here was affected both at the inter- and intra-tests levels (depending on the ram and on the behaviour parameter to be interpreted). The absence of effectiveness in interpreting other parameters was likely related to the quality of the algorithm built rather than to the device by itself. In conclusion, our preliminary results demonstrate that some of RSB can be automatically estimated by using this kind of technology. Nevertheless, more research is required to test its effectiveness regarding other RSB and with a more significant number of rams, in other seasons, etc
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), Jul 1, 2016
Artificial insemination of ewes grouped by a ram effect is feasible with the use of automated oes... more Artificial insemination of ewes grouped by a ram effect is feasible with the use of automated oestrus detector. 18. International Congress on Animal Reproduction (ICAR
L’utilisation du croisement en elevage ovin est frequente. Ces croisements s’effectuent generalem... more L’utilisation du croisement en elevage ovin est frequente. Ces croisements s’effectuent generalement en introduisant des beliers d’une autre race que celle du troupeau afin d’ameliorer les performances. Le comportement sexuel de beliers Merinos d’Arles face `a des brebis de la meme race et de brebis Lacaune introduites 3 mois auparavant dans le troupeau a ete etudie. Materiel & Methodes : Le comportement sexuel de six beliers a ete etudie en les mettant en contact avec un lot de 3 brebis en chaleurs et de 3 brebis en phase luteale (induite par pose d’une eponge vaginale). Les lots de brebis etaient, a chaque fois, composes de 2 brebis Merinos et de 4 brebis Lacaune, pour moitie en chaleur. Au cours de chaque test de 30 minutes (30’), les beliers ont ete observes individuellement et leurs comportements sexuels enregistres. Les comportements ont ete regroupes en activites exploratoires (flairage, son, coups de patte, flehmen, tete sur la croupe et mouvements de la langue) et consommat...
La demande en produits animaux pousse les eleveurs a reduire les intrants et supprimer les traite... more La demande en produits animaux pousse les eleveurs a reduire les intrants et supprimer les traitements hormonaux pour la maitrise de la reproduction des ovins. Ces exigences ont relance les etudes sur des methodes qui s’appuient davantage sur les comportements spontanes des mâles et des femelles. Le detecteur electronique des chaleurs, developpe par l’UMR Selmet, semblait prometteur et il fallait l’accompagner de validations experimentales. Ces etudes ont ete realisees en race Merinos d’Arles du Domaine du Merle qui sont elevees en systeme d’elevage extensif et se reproduisent a contre saison. Nous avons tout d’abord valide ce detecteur sur des brebis suivies par video. Nous montrons que 93% des chevauchements sont effectivement enregistres et comme les brebis en œstrus acceptent plusieurs chevauchements : toutes les brebis sont detectees. Dans une deuxieme etape nous avons utilises plusieurs beliers avec des effectifs plus importants (n=60). Ceci nous a confirme, pour la brebis des...
Journal of Dairy Science, 2021
BackgroundIn order to maintain homeostasis, ruminants submitted to alternating shortage and refee... more BackgroundIn order to maintain homeostasis, ruminants submitted to alternating shortage and refeeding situations manifest switches in metabolic pathways induced by undernutrition and body reserves (BR) replenishment cycles. The objective of this experiment was to study adaptive regulatory mechanisms present during subsequent feeding transition periods and the inherent lipolytic activity of the adipose tissue in individuals with contrasted BR. Three diets containing different levels of energy were offered to 36 mature, dry, non-pregnant Mérinos d’Arles ewes in an experiment lasting 122 days. Ewes were selected with similar body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and were allocated into three equivalent treatments according to the plane of nutrition: normally fed (Control); underfed (Under) or overfed (Over). The BW, BCS and individual energy metabolism were monitored. At the end of the experiment, lipolytic activity of adipose tissue was studied through a ß-adrenergic challenge ...
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2018
Abstract Monitoring bodyweight ( BW ) is a critical practice used for management purposes (e.g. a... more Abstract Monitoring bodyweight ( BW ) is a critical practice used for management purposes (e.g. assessing weight gain, body condition or establishing slaughtering schedules). Measuring BW indoors is relatively easy although time and labor consuming. However, recording BW outdoors may become difficult. The aim of this project was to trial an automated small ruminant weighing prototype using the remote weighing concept of walk-over-weighing ( WoW ), combined with radio-frequency identification and designed to be light, resistant, transportable and autonomous in energy. The BW is collected as the animal crosses freely over the WoW platform, strategically placed in an obligatory path combined with a small yard containing water and mineral salts as incentives. We studied the system's efficacy in a series of experiments under a range of sheep farming situations (i.e. indoor and outdoor). Time required for achieving individual voluntary passages, the number of daily visits and the proportion of biologically plausible BW records were analysed. The Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient ( CCC ) was used to establish the agreement between WoW records and the gold standard BW measurements (static weighing scale). Our results showed the feasibility of recording BW with free and voluntary passage of sheep with controlled sheep flow over the platform while preventing congestion. After 2–3 weeks of adaptation, 100% of animals crossed daily. Sheep misbehaviour (e.g. speed of passage) can result in spurious values and accounted for many of the larger weight discrepancies. Once outliers were removed, the prediction accuracy of the system and the CCC ranged between 0.89 and 0.98, showing a substantial agreement between the two methods. Using this standalone WoW system, it was possible to record daily individual BW, which may contribute to save labor and time while providing timely information to improve productivity and animal welfare under varying farming conditions.
Small Ruminant Research, 2017
Animal, 2017
We investigated if sexual behaviour of rams can be assessed with an electronic Alpha-Detector (AD... more We investigated if sexual behaviour of rams can be assessed with an electronic Alpha-Detector (AD) which automatically records mounts of mating rams. To evaluate the rams’ libido (i.e. all sexual activities), we used six intact and six vasectomised rams in pen tests in three different seasons (late spring, autumn and early spring). The pen tests consisted of 30-min visual observations of each ram placed in a group of six Merino ewes (three ewes in oestrus and three ewes not in oestrus). In the pen tests, sexual behaviour was recorded and divided into two categories: pre-copulatory and copulatory. For validation purposes, during the pen tests the 12 rams were equipped with the AD and the number of times the 18 oestrous ewes were mounted were counted over a period of 3 days. Of the 1191 mounts visually identified in the six 30-min sessions, 1026 were recorded automatically by the AD (i.e. 94%). The paddock test is an automated method consisting of the same rams wearing an AD and place...
Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2017
Small Ruminant Research, 2016