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751-7512-00L 3 Credits MSC D-USYS
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Advanced topics in farm animal behaviour and welfare

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Sébastien Goumon
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:32:50

Abstract

The welfare of farm animals is a major increasing concern to the public, as well as to stakeholders in the global agro-food system. Ethology is a key element of animal welfare sciences as it allows us to know what animals need. In this course we will discuss specifically the challenges faced by farm animals and the behavioural research used to address them.

Objective

Students will - Acquire and put in practice the knowledge and skills needed to understand and assess the behaviour and welfare of farm animals - Achieve an understanding and awareness of welfare challenges farm animals face - Be able to critically analyze and discuss published welfare research data - Be able to summarize and communicate scientific data

Content

The course will divide in 2 parts: A series of 12 lectures on the welfare challenges associated with the main phases of the husbandry of farm animals, from birth to slaughter, and some complementary topics that will enlarge knowledge and reflection of students on the topics: cognition and precision livestock farm The second part will consist of 5 practical days where the students will work on designing experiments, collecting, analysing and summarising behavioural data in the form. Data collection will take place at Agro-Vet Strickhof. The final grade will be based on a written exam (50 %) and 2 oral presentations during the practical days (50%).

Resources

Lecture Notes

Power point presentations of the lecture will be provided.

Literature

Further literature and internet links will be mentioned during the lecture. A very useful book: Bateson, M., & Martin, P. (2021). Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide (4th ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108776462

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Advanced topics in farm animal behaviour and welfare
There is a compulsory excursion on 11th April 2025. On five Fridays (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th May) the course takes place at Agro-Vet Strickhof for the data collection on animals (some dates might be conducted in LFW, the lecturer will inform in advance). On 26th May there is no lecture, the exam takes place on Monday 2nd June 2025.
  • Mon 14:15-16:00 (LFW C 4)
  • 11.04 Date 10:15-12:00 (ML J 34.3)
  • 02.05 Date 08:15-19:00 (LFW B 3)
  • 09.05 Date 08:15-19:00 (LFW B 3)
  • 30.05 Date 08:15-19:00 (LFW B 3)
3 h weekly

Offered In