Assessment of Meat-Type Sheep Welfare Using Animal-Based Measures
Naceur M’Hamdi,
Cyrine Darej,
Khaoula Attia,
Hajer Guesmi,
Ibrahim El Akram Znaïdi,
Rachid Bouraoui,
Hajer M’Hamdi,
Lamjed Marzouki,
Moez Ayadi
Affiliations
Naceur M’Hamdi
Research Laboratory of Ecosystems & Aquatic Resources, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Cyrine Darej
Research Laboratory of Ecosystems & Aquatic Resources, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Khaoula Attia
Research Laboratory of Ecosystems & Aquatic Resources, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Hajer Guesmi
Research Laboratory of Ecosystems & Aquatic Resources, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, Carthage University, 43 Avenue Charles Nicolle, Tunis 1082, Tunisia
Ibrahim El Akram Znaïdi
Department of Animal Sciences, High Agronomic Institute of Chott Mariem, University of Sousse, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
Rachid Bouraoui
Laboratory ADIPARA, Higher School of Agriculture of Mateur, Road Tabarka-7030, Mateur, Bizerte 7030, Tunisia
Hajer M’Hamdi
Ministry of Agriculture, CRDA Ben Arous, New Medina, Ben Arous 2063, Tunisia
Lamjed Marzouki
Unit of Functional Physiology and Bio-Resources Valorization (BF-VBR), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja 9000, Tunisia
Moez Ayadi
Unit of Functional Physiology and Bio-Resources Valorization (BF-VBR), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Beja, University of Jendouba, Beja 9000, Tunisia
This study aimed to assess the welfare of Tunisian sheep in extensive sheep production systems using animal-based measures of ewe welfare. This study encompasses the first national survey of sheep welfare in which animal-based outcomes were tested. Animal-based welfare measures were derived from previous welfare protocols. Fifty-two Tunisian farms were studied and a number from 20 to 100 animals by flock were examinated. The whole flock was also observed to detect clinical diseases, lameness, and coughing. The human-animal relationship was selected as welfare indicators. It was evaluated through the avoidance distance test. The average avoidance distance was 10.47 ± 1.23 and 8.12 ± 0.97 m for a novel person and farmer, respectively. The global mean of body condition score (BCS) was 2.4 with 47% of ewes having a BCS of two, which may be associated with an increased risk of nutritional stress, disease, and low productivity. Ten farms had more than 7% of lambs with a low body condition score, which may be an indication of a welfare problem. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the used animal-based measures were the most reliable indicators that can be included in welfare protocols for extensive sheep production systems.
