University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Nina-Maria Speta
(2008):
Fallstudien zum Wasserangebot bei Weidegänsen.
Master / Diploma Thesis,
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 103.
UB BOKU
obvsg
FullText
- Abstract:
- EU regulation requires that organic geese and ducks access to a running water or a lake. This is not possible in Austria due to strict water protection legislation. Therefore it is necessary to find an adequate solution which offers the geese enough possibilities to perform their natural behaviours and fulfil their need related to water. It was the aim of the present case studies to describe different alternatives of water supply with regard to inegrity and cleanliness of plumage and behaviour. The five farms offered pipes as drinking throughs (twice observations) or cut tanks as open drinkers (one observation). In order to evaluate the bodily state, 20 animals from each farm were examined for integrity and cleanliness of the plumage. Using scan sampling, the utilisation of different areas around the water point was recorded. Additionally, behaviour sampling was used to assess the water directed behaviours on the “pipe – farms”. There were no major differences in the cleanliness of the plumage except for one farm with pipes which had a significantly higher score indicating more animals with muddy plumage. Plumage condition was generally evaluated as in good or very good condition for all geese. There were more animals present close to the pipes or other water points than close to the troughs, maybe because there was only space for at most two geese. The results showed that geese with access to pipe drinkers show - apart from drinking - also a wide range of water - related activities (head into water, preening with water). Partial bathing activities were observed at only one type of pipe drinker. Besides the type of water supply, it is necessary to take the number of geese, the stocking rate and availability of water as a critical factor into consideration before final conclusions can be drawn. Feasible solution may consist of a combination of both pipe drinkers and water troughs which allow for more diverse behavioural acitivities.
- Beurteilende(r): Winckler Christoph