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Considerations for Applying Electronic Measurements in Animal Welfare Research
Technology has shown the potential to advance animal welfare research. As technology improves, more opportunities arise for electronic measurement of animal responses and other characteristics of housing and husbandry. Electronic measures can provide valuable insight, but careful consideration must be given to ensure appropriate application of the technology. Electronic measurements should be validated in order to be trusted. Two types of validation should be considered: (1) reliability of the technology to adequately capture the animal response being measured; and (2) reliability of the electronic signal representing the response. Measurements should reflect the animal perspective, and interpretations should be within the realm of animal welfare science. Technology should be applied as a tool within a broader suite of welfare indicators.
For reliability of the animal response being measured, the technology should not interfere with the animal or alter its responses. Before a new technology is implemented, it should be verified that the response being measured does not change when the technology is introduced. This validation is typically done with a comparison to some manually recorded measurement.
For reliability of the electronic signal representing the response, a calibration procedure should be completed before use of the equipment and at relevant intervals with continued use of the equipment. Electronic devices may not perform as expected within harsh animal environments, and their performance may change over time. Calibration of electronic instruments is typically done with a comparison to some standard measurement.
For welfare considerations, measurements should be taken at the level of the animal, in order to represent the animal’s experience. Previous research has shown, for example, that the temperature in the micro-environment of a laying hen in commercial cages may be several degrees warmer than the temperature in the aisle where the fan control sensor is typically located. Other measures of welfare may be similarly impacted by proximity to the animals.
Measures should be interpreted within the bounds of welfare considerations, and should be a part of a suite of welfare indicators. Electronic measures can offer insight to a wide range of animal management parameters. Within the context of animal welfare research, they should be considered with respect to quality of life encompassing physical health, normal behavior and affective states. Not all measures are indicative of welfare, and not all important measures may be taken electronically.
Keywords:
sensor, reliability, technology