CCSAW saw eight of its grad students successfully defend their theses over the winter semester. Congratulations to them all.
Below is a summary of the first four:
The Tough Decisions Around Down Cows: A Look Inside Dairy Farm Practices
When a dairy cow can’t stand up—called a “down cow”—it’s a big concern for farmers and veterinarians alike. In his PhD research, John Brindle of the University of Guelph examined how dairy producers and vets in Ontario handle these challenging cases. His work found that even though we know the best practices for helping these cows, not all farms follow them. There are many reasons: lack of time, equipment, or facilities; emotional difficulty in deciding when to euthanize; and traditional habits that are hard to change. Brindle emphasizes that earlier care and more collaboration between farmers and vets can make a big difference—not just for cow welfare, but for the mental well-being of those providing care. His research calls for better protocols, training, and tools to support timely, humane decisions on farms.
Read more: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/b01b2472-e3b8-47fa-b329-49fa3602327c
Rethinking Rabbit Rescue: Why Some Bunnies Get Left Behind
Rabbits are the third most commonly surrendered pet in shelters—but why are so many ending up there, and what can be done to help? In her PhD at the University of Guelph, Carol Tinga dug deep into the human–rabbit relationship to understand the issues behind unwanted pet rabbits. She surveyed over 2,000 rabbit owners and looked at how shelters across North America are managing intake. Her research found that people’s emotional bonds with their rabbits vary widely, and some are more likely to give them up based on things like living conditions, knowledge gaps, and how they interact with their pets. Shelters also reported changes in rabbit surrenders during COVID-19 and following outbreaks of rabbit disease. Tinga’s work points to the need for better public education, shelter practices, and support tools for owners—so fewer rabbits are left without homes.
Read more: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/1032eb1a-8dae-49e4-b03b-f1a115b6d960
Why Do Some Mice Just Keep Spinning? New Research Looks at the Roots of Repetitive Behaviours
Have you ever seen a zoo animal pacing the same path or a pet repeating strange movements over and over again? These repetitive behaviours—called “stereotypic behaviours”—are often signs of poor welfare. In her master’s research, University of Guelph student Shay Forget explored why some of these behaviours persist even after conditions improve. Using laboratory mice as a model, Forget tested whether things like age, anxiety, or habit formation explained why enrichment doesn’t always work. Surprisingly, age wasn’t a factor—but mice that actually used the new enrichment showed more improvement. Her findings suggest that helping animals engage with their environment may be key to reducing these troubling behaviours. This work not only sheds light on lab animal welfare but has broader implications for animals in zoos, shelters, and farms.
Read more: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/ff5daed0-bb7c-40b5-9f0f-cb0233541ffc
Do Cow Personalities Influence What They Eat? Exploring New Feed Additives for Dairy Health
In her University of Guelph Master’s research, Sarah Bruner explored how dairy cows respond to a novel fat‑microencapsulated anionic salt—a feed additive meant to support cow health during the dry period. She asked two key questions: Do cows prefer this additive over a standard fat placebo, and does personality play a role in their response? The cows showed no overall preference and found both diets equally palatable. However, less bold cows consumed more of the additive-containing feed compared to their more outgoing counterparts. Personality also affected how cows sorted their feed—shyer cows selecting medium-sized particles, more active cows preferring shorter bits. These findings offer fresh insights into how individual behavior and personality can influence feed intake and sorting, shaping approaches to more targeted and effective nutrition strategies on dairy farms. Sarah is now working as a Ruminant Nutritionist at Grand Valley Fortifiers.
https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/6f401fcf-ad4a-43bb-821e-55865e01e938
