This book is a complete guide to all aspects of pig keeping. Full of practical advice, instruction, and useful diagrams and photos, it focuses mainly on the three most important aspects of pig keeping - Housing, Feeding and General Management. Contents Include: Policies in Perspective - Choosing the System - Housing - Pig Keeping Equipment - Feeding in Theory - Feeding In Practice - Feeding A Matter of Choice - Breeding Better Pigs - Management Breeding Stock - Management Farrowing - Management Rearing - Management Fattening - Health and Disease - Copper or Gold? - Grading Standards for Bacon Pigs - Price Conversion Table - Chemical Analyses of Feeding Stuffs - Standard Rations for Home Mixing - Useful Addresses - Notifiable Diseases of Pigs - Pork, Bacon or Heavy Hog? - Standards of Performance for Breeding and Fattening Pigs - References

This collection features four peer-reviewed literature reviews on bone health in poultry. The first chapter reviews the literature on genetic mapping of skeletal traits in both broilers and layers, including both the genetics of skeletal defects and bone quality. As the chapter shows, linkage mapping and genome-wide association studies have identified promising candidate genes with potential for breeding more robust birds. The second chapter focuses on bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), one of the most common causes of lameness in broilers. The chapter summarizes the pathogenesis of BCO and reviews the efficacy of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment. The third chapter discusses bone health in laying hens. It reviews bone development, keel and other bone health problems and factors contributing to poor bone health. It also summarises key strategies for improving bone health, including breeding, nutrition, rearing practices and housing. The final chapter assesses the problem of lameness in intensively-reared broiler flocks. The chapter also discusses skin health in broilers. It summarises key risk factors as well as ways of monitoring and reducing the problem, from breeding programmes and enrichment to sequential feeding regimes.

This volume fills a real gap. Before now there existed no compilation to summarize the enormous wealth of data and hypotheses elaborated in the huge research field on the control mechanisms which are involved in bird migration. This volume takes into consideration all aspects of controlling factors since experimentation began in 1925.

In developed market economies with intensive animal production systems, such as The Netherlands, many new feedstuffs have been introduced as part of the diets of ruminant and monogastric animals. These new feedstuffs are often by-products of human food processing. It is important that these by-products and also the by-products from wastes are properly evaluated with regard to the possibilities of incor porating them into livestock diets. Research on the subject of feed from waste, its processing and its use in the nutrition of poultry has increased considerably during the last decade. The Department of Animal Nutrition of Wageningen Agricul tural University (WAU), Wageningen, The Netherlands, in close co operation with the Poultry Feeding and the Processing Industry, has been active in this field. In order to update research and to expedite further work in this field, a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject of feed from waste was made. Such a study would not only bring the industry up to date on the subject but could also indicate specific topics which may be of great value for developing market economies. Poultry scientists and technologists suggested that a review would fill a need as a reference and textbook, not only for the industry but also for undergraduates and graduates of agricultural colleges and extension services all over the world."

The aim of this book is to help create new feedstuffs for poultry and farm animals from the agro-industry and to mobilize the neglected waste as a feedstuff to lower the price of animal products such as eggs, white and red meat, milk, etc. Furthermore, this book aims to contribute to the campaign against hunger in the developing world and to reduce the competition between animals and human beings for cereals and pulses. Accordingly the global pollution problem will be reduced. This book will be of great interest to all those involved in the animal feed and poultry industries, in agricultural universities, and in research establishments where animal nutrition is studied and taught.

Nutrition is a very broad discipline, encompassing biochemistry, physiology, endocrinology, immunology, microbiology and pathology. Presenting the major principles of nutrition of both domestic and wild animals, this book takes a comparative approach, recognising that there are considerable differences in nutrient digestion, metabolism and requirements among various mammalian and avian species. Explaining species differences in food selection, food-seeking and digestive strategies and their significance to nutritional needs, chapters cover a broad range of topics including digestive physiology, metabolic disorders and specific nutrients such as carbohydrates proteins and lipids, with particular attention being paid to nutritional and metabolic idiosyncrasies. It is an essential text for students of animal and veterinary sciences.

Primates are very responsive to environmental change, although the raction and ability to adapt varies from species to species. These differences reflect their life strategies and influence their social and reproductive fitness. Their responsiveness to changes are of intrinsic interest not only to scientists who study animal behaviour but also has a much wider significance as pressure mounts on natural habitats. Additionally, there is growing concern about the well-being of primates held in the artificial environments created by human beings for captive non-human primates. This book brings together a wide range of experts who review the key issues, supplemented by case studies where research has highlighted the problems and suggested possible improvements in the treatment of these animals.

There are many varied facets to the sociobiology of sex and reproduction, and to the strategies adopted to maximise inclusive fitness in this way. This book presents a wide range of studies of these issues in humans and other animals. It should attract a wide readership of biologists, particularly those concerned with the relationships between animal behaviour, genetics, ecology and evolution.

Conservation of Marine Birds is the first book to outline and synthesize the myriad of threats faced by one of the most imperiled groups of birds on earth. With more than half of all 346 seabird species worldwide experiencing population declines and 29% of species recognized as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the timing to determine solutions to threats could not be more urgent. Written by a diverse team of international experts on marine birds, this book explores the environmental and biogeographical factors that influence seabird conservation and provides concrete recommendations for mounting climate change issues. This book will be an important resource for researchers and conservationists, as well as ecologists and students who want to understand seabirds, the threats they are facing, and tactics to help conserve and protect them.

While rabbits are well-known for being cute and fuzzy creatures, they can also be very difficult to care for. Whether you're an experienced rabbit farmer or building your first hutch for a pet bunny, The Rabbit-Raising Problem Solver has answers to all of your most pressing questions. In a handy question-and-answer format Karen Patry expertly addresses every aspect of rabbit care, including housing, feeding, breeding, kindling, health, and behavior. This informative, easy-to-use guide has reliable, humane solutions that will keep your animals healthy and happy.

Desertification (land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting mainly from adverse human impacts) is the main environmental problem of dry lands, which occupy more than 40 per cent of the total global land area. The phenomenon threatens about 3.6 billion hectares and currently affects the livelihood of about 900 million people. Thl! world is now losing annually about 1.5 million hectares of total irrigated lands (240 million hectares) due mostly to salinization, mainly in drylands. Salt affected soils are widely distributed throughout the arid and semi-arid regions, and particularly severe in China (7 million ha), India (20 million ha), Pakistan (3.2 million ha), USA (5.2 million ha), as well as Near East, southern Europe and elsewhere. Demands on production have increased the pressure on existing productive land and moved the limits of production onto increasingly marginal lands. Wise land-use practices have yet to be developed for such conditions. The Executive Director of UNEP reported to the Governing Council in February 1992 concerning the "Status of Desertification and Implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Comtat Desertification (PACD)". The Report concludes that major efforts to implement the PACD had gJne into supporting measures rather than concrete corrective field operations. Little evidence of progrl!ss was found in irrigated croplands, rainfed croplands or rangelands. It was recommended that every piece of land should be used in keeping with its ecological characteristics, natural capabilities and constraints.

1. 1 THE STUDY OF CONFLICT Polemos Pantoon Pater Heraclitus Conflict on all levels of organic existence is pervasive, persistent, ubiquitous. Conflict is the universal experience of all life forms. Organisms are bound in multiple conflict-configurations and -coalitions, which have their own dynamic and their own logic. This does not mean, however, that the more paroxysmal forms of conflict behaviour, naked violence and destruction, are also universal. Conflict and cooperation are always intertwined. Conflicts do, however, have a propensity to gravitate towards violence. There is, as Pettman (1975) pointed out, no accepted or agreed list of the social units by which conflicts might be classified. To talk of conflict in intra personal, inter-personal, familial, group, class, ethnic, religious, intra-state or inter-state terms is to assume, perhaps erroneously, that 'each kind of social unit, having its own range of size, structure, and institutions, will also have its own modes of interaction and thus its own patterns of conflict with other social units' (Fink, 1968) like and unlike itself. Such an assumption merits scrutiny on its own, since, despite the plausibility of some sort of analytical link between the parties to a conflict and the nature of the confrontation that ensues, the link should be demonstrated and not allowed to stand by assertion alone. This volume is devoted to one type of analysis of conflict, the socio biological one."

"I love your ideas, but I only have a few acres. How do I do this at my scale?" Success with domestic livestock does not require large land bases. Joel Salatin and his family's Polyface Farm in Virginia lead the world in animal-friendly and ecologically authentic, commercial, pasture-based livestock production. In Polyface Micro he adapts the ideas and protocols to small holdings (including apartments)! Homesteaders can increase production, enjoy healthy animals, and create aesthetically and aromatically pleasant livestock systems. Whether you're a new or seasoned homesteader, you'll find tips and inspiration as Joel coaches you toward success and abundance.

"Chickens are a lot more mainstream than veganism and a little bit like kombucha: super weird twenty years ago, now somewhat popular and made even more so by logos, brands, and hashtags." So begins Gina Warren's deep dive into the backyard chicken movement. Digging into its history and food politics, she provides a highly personal account of the movement's social and cultural motivations, the regulations it faces, and the ways that chicken owners build community. Weaving together interviews with urban agriculture advocates, entrepreneurs such as a $225 per hour "chicken consultant," animal rights campaigners, and a fabulous cross-section of chicken enthusiasts, Warren sheds light on Americans' complex relationship with animals-as guardians, companions, and eaters-and what it means to be a conscious eater. As Warren chronicles her own misadventures raising chickens, her pursuit of what's best for her own flock leads past chicken tutus and gourmet chicken treats and into serious attempts at sustainable eating, such as cooking insects and dumpster diving. The result is a fresh and charming story that speaks to backyard chicken owners, while also raising questions about sustainable farming, industrial agriculture, and our connections with the animals we love.

With the growing global fear of a major pandemic, avian influenza (AI) virus research has greatly increased in importance. In Avian Influenza Virus, an expert team of researchers and diagnosticians examine the fundamental, yet essential, virological methods for AI virus research and diagnostics as well as some of the newest molecular procedures currently used for basic and applied research. They present exciting, cutting-edge new methods that focus both on studying the virus itself and on work with avian hosts, an area greatly lacking in research.

Insect Learning is a comprehensive review of a new field. Until recently, insects were viewed as rigidly programmed automatons; now, however, it is recognized that they can learn and that their behavior is plastic. This fundamental change in viewpoint is causing a re-examination of all aspects of the relationship between insects and their environment. This change in perspective is occurring at a time of heightened interest in brain function in both vertebrates and invertebrates. Insects potentially play a major role in this expanding area. Because of their experimental tractability and genetic diversity, they provide unique opportunities for testing hypotheses on the ecology and evolution of learning. As organisms of economic importance, they are perennial objects of research by both basic and applied scientists. Insect Learning covers both social and non-social insects from multiple perspectives. The book covers mechanisms; syntheses of work on physiology, behavior, and ecology; and micro- and macroevolution. The concluding section discusses future directions for research, including applications to pest management.

Practical how-to advice for keeping chickens "For me, raising chickens, for eggs and meat, has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of our family farm. I am a great admirer of "chicken whisperer" Pammy Riggs, and with her two co-authors she has produced an admirably thorough guide to enjoying the pleasures and avoiding the pitfalls of keeping chickens. Get the book, and take the feathery plunge!" - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall Keeping Chickens For Dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of keeping chickens, from constructing a hutch to the correct feeding regime. It offers expert advice straight from the River Cottage Chicken Whisperer', so whether you're looking to raise chickens for eggs, meat, or just the entertainment value and fun - Keeping Chickens For Dummies is the perfect place to start. Keeping Chickens For Dummies: * Shows you how to keep chickens in different conditions * Offers guidance on choosing and purchasing chickens * Gives great step-by-step advice on constructing the right housing * Provides expert advice on how to feed and care for your chickens

Modern beekeeping, influenced by new technologies and breeding methods, has increased honey production but left bee colonies weak and vulnerable to disease. With the alarming decline of the bee population raising concerns about an impending ecological crisis, many beekeepers are seeking a more sustainable way of caring for bees. Biodynamic Beekeeping is the first book to offer practical instruction on caring for bees using biodynamic theories and methods. By considering the influence of the movement of the stars and the planets on the bees' natural habits, biodynamics encourages beekeepers to be more in tune with their bees indicating, for example, the best days on which to inspect colonies or gather honey. This fascinating book offers beekeepers detailed advice and instruction on how to work more holistically, including: -- the challenges and advantages of breeding queen bees -- how to artificially induce swarming to propagate colonies -- how to use biodynamic ashing techniques to combat varroa mites -- instructions for making winter-feed according to current biodynamic thinking

Coastal Habitat Conservation: New Perspectives and Sustainable Development of Biodiversity in the Anthropocene offers the latest research and approaches to biodiversity conservation in coastal areas. The book synthesizes the background of foundational conservation views and provides new perspectives and recent strategies within a sustainable development context for coastal species and organic life. Written by a team of international authors with expertise in wide-ranging issues of biodiversity conservation, this book analyzes the challenges of conserving marine habitats and species that humanity faces in the Anthropocene era. Sections explore emerging and unforeseen impacts within a changing world, specifically, the marine-based conservation in the context of global change, coastal urbanization and mitigation of its environmental impacts, marine bioinvasions, conservation strategies for of out-of-sight communities like caves, habitat restoration, and the citizen science and its challenging role in monitoring conservation.

Galapagos Giant Tortoises brings together researchers and conservationists to share the most up-to-date knowledge of Galapagos giant tortoises. Despite being icons of the world-famous Galapagos Archipelago and the target of more than 50 years of conservation research and management, Galapagos giant tortoise evolution and much of their ecology remained unknown until recently. This book documents the history, the pressing conservation issues, and success stories recovering several of the 15 different species of Galapagos tortoises from near extinction. The book begins with an overview of the history of the relationship between humans and Galapagos giant tortoises, starting from initial heavy exploitation of tortoises by pirates and whalers, and extending to the start of the modern conservation era in the 1960s. The book then shifts to biology, describing Galapagos tortoise evolution, taxonomy, ecology, habitats, reproduction, and behavior. Next the decades of conservation efforts and their results are reviewed, including issues of captive breeding, invasive species, introduced diseases, and de-extinction, as well as the current status and distribution of every species. The final portion of the book turns to four case studies of restoration, and then looks ahead to the future of all tortoise populations.The latest volume in the Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscape series, Galapagos Giant Tortoises is a valuable resource for researchers and conservationists, as well as students of biology, wildlife conservation, and herpetology.

There isn't one conversation about animal ethics. Instead, there are several important ones that are scattered across many disciplines.This volume both surveys the field of animal ethics and draws professional philosophers, graduate students, and undergraduates more deeply into the discussions that are happening outside of philosophy departments. To that end, the volume contains more nonphilosophers than philosophers, explicitly inviting scholars from other fields-such as animal science, ecology, economics, psychology, law, environmental science, and applied biology, among others-to bring their own disciplinary resources to bear on matters that affect animals. The Routledge Handbook of Animal Ethics is composed of 44 chapters, all appearing in print here for the first time, and organized into the following six sections: I. Thinking About Animals II. Animal Agriculture and Hunting III. Animal Research and Genetic Engineering IV. Companion Animals V. Wild Animals: Conservation, Management, and Ethics VI. Animal Activism The chapters are brief, and they have been written in a way that is accessible to serious undergraduate students, regardless of their field of study. The volume covers everything from animal cognition to the state of current fisheries, from genetic modification to intersection animal activism. It is a resource designed for anyone interested in the moral issues that emerge from human interactions with animals.

Rabbits are versatile animals, farmed for their meat and fur, as laboratory animals, and also as pets. This well-established book continues to provide an overview of domesticated rabbit production, covering topics such as breeding, husbandry, feeding and health. Now in its fully updated tenth edition, it includes an expanded consideration of important issues such as animal welfare and sustainable methods of production. With chapters relating specifically to meat production, pet rabbits, rabbit shows, and angora wool production, this new edition: - Includes new information on the latest methods of artificial insemination, estrous synchronization, embryo transfer, cloning and molecular genetics; - Tackles globally prevalent health issues such as enteritis complex (EC) rabbit enterocolitis (REC), and viral hemorrhagic disease; - Reviews up-to-the-minute developments such as the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on food production, as well as new projects addressing poverty alleviation and food security. Providing updates on worldwide production trends, figures and new feed additive products, this book is an essential resource for anyone involved in rabbit production - from novice to experienced breeders, veterinarians and industry professionals.