Assessment of the Welfare of Extensively Managed Autochtonous Sheep Breed Vlasicka Zackel Using Animal-Based Measurements

Abstract

In the Balkan region, the state of sheep welfare is little known. In this context, the assessment of sheep welfare is important for the identification of health and behavioral problems that affect these animals, along with the deficiencies present in the environment. The study was conducted during the winter season on a farm of 220 autochthonous breed Vlašićka Zackel sheep reared in extensive systems on the mountain regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of 65 ewes, aged 2-4 years, were observed. The welfare assessment was performed according to the AWIN protocol for sheep. The authors found the following issues: Dry ewes were significantly fat (p<0.001) in regard to pregnant and lactation ewes; 42.11% of pregnant ewes were thin while 31.25% of dry ewes were fat; most of the assessed animals (78.46%) had dry or damp, slightly soiled fleece; 32.31% of animals had lesions on face/muzzle while ocular discharge, respiratory problems, mild mastitis and minor lameness were present in 16.92%, 4.62%, 15.38% and 7.69% sheep, respectively. All animals showed a negative relationship with humans. Using this methodology, the welfare problems in animals may be detected, and thus certain segments in the production cycle may be improved. The on-farm welfare assessment is highly recommended for emphasizing the key points in improving sheep welfare in Balkan countries.

U regiji Balkana, stanje dobrobiti ovaca je slabo poznato. Na osnovu toga, procena dobrobiti ovaca je veoma bitna za indetifikaciju njihovih zdravstvenih problema kao i poremećaja ponašanja, zajedno sa nedostacima prisutnim u smeštajnom prostoru. Studija je sprovedena u toku zimskog perioda na farmi od 220 ovaca autohtone rase Vlašićka pramenka koja se uzgaja ekstenzivno u planinskom predelu Bosne i Hercegoven. Ispitano je 65 ženskih grla starih od 2 do 4 godine. Ocena dobrobiti urađena je po metodologiji AWIN protokola za ocenu dobrobiti ovaca. Autori su pronašli sledeće probleme: ovce u zasušenju su bile značajno gojaznije (p<0,001) u odnosu na gravidne i ovce u laktaciji; 42,11% gravidnih ovaca je bilo mršavo dok je 31,25% ovaca u zasušenju bilo gojazno; većina ispitanih životinja (63,08%) posedovala je suvu, ili vlažnu i malo zaprljanu vunu; kod 32,31% životinja su utvrđene lezije na njušci dok su iscedak iz oka, respiratorni problem, blagi mastitis i blaga hromost ustanovljeni kod 16,92 %, 4,62%, 15,38% i 7,69%. Kod svih životinja je test prilaženja čoveku bio negativan. Primenom ove metodologije mogu se otkriti postojeće probleme koji se odnose na stanje dobrobiti ovaca i na taj način se mogu unaprediti određeni segmenti u proizvodnom ciklusu. Ocena dobrobiti na farmama se preporučuje za naglašavanje ključnih tačaka u poboljšanju dobrobiti ovaca u zemljama Balkana.