The inter- and intra-observer reliability of a locomotion scoring scale for sheep

Kaler, Jasmeet; Wassink, G. J.; Green, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.12.028

Cited by 92 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Although this may be considered a small number of observers in comparison to some studies (Mullan et al, 2011), it is similar to the numbers On-farm indicators of young lamb welfare used in other published welfare indicator reliability studies (Channon et al, 2009;Kaler et al, 2009;Foddai et al, 2012), and is above the minimum number of observers recommended for reliability studies (Walter et al, 1998).…”

Section: Trained Observerssupporting

confidence: 59%

Inter-observer agreement, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of animal-based indicators of young lamb welfare

Phythian

Toft

Cripps

et al. 2013

Animal

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A scientific literature review and consensus of expert opinion used the welfare definitions provided by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) Five Freedoms as the framework for selecting a set of animal-based indicators that were sensitive to the current on-farm welfare issues of young lambs (aged <6 weeks). Ten animal-based indicators assessed by observation -demeanour, response to stimulation, shivering, standing ability, posture, abdominal fill, body condition, lameness, eye condition and salivation were tested as part of the objective of developing valid, reliable and feasible animal-based measures of lamb welfare The indicators were independently tested on 966 young lambs from 17 sheep flocks across Northwest England and Wales during December 2008 to April 2009 by four trained observers. Inter-observer reliability was assessed using Fleiss's kappa (k), and the pair-wise agreement with an experienced, observer designated as the 'test standard observer' (TSO) was examined using Cohen's k. Latent class analysis (LCA) estimated the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of each observer without assuming a gold standard and predicted the Se and Sp of randomly selected observers who may apply the indicators in the future. Overall, good levels of inter-observer reliability, and high levels of Sp were identified for demeanour (k 5 0.54, Se > 0.70, Sp > 0. LCA predicted that randomly selected observers had Se . 0.77 (acceptable), and Sp > 0.98 (high) for assessments of demeanour, lameness, abdominal fill posture, body condition and eye condition. The diagnostic performance of some indicators was influenced by the composition of the study population, and it would be useful to test the indicators on lambs with a greater level of outcomes associated with poor welfare. The findings presented in this paper could be applied in the selection of valid, reliable and feasible indicators used for the purposes of on-farm assessments of lamb welfare.

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Section: Trained Observerssupporting

confidence: 59%

Inter-observer agreement, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of animal-based indicators of young lamb welfare

Phythian

Toft

Cripps

et al. 2013

Animal

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“…point in time. Subjective lameness detection systems are designed to categorize lameness expressed while the animal is walking and have been developed for cows (Manson and Leaver, 1988), dogs (Quinn et al, 2007), sheep (Welsh et al, 1993;Kaler et al 2009), horses (Keegan et al, 2010) and finishing pigs (Rothschild and Christian, 1988;Main et al, 2000). The scoring systems used in the livestock industries have been implemented so that caretakers can quickly and affordably quantify lameness prevalence in the herd on any particular day.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using classification trees to detect induced sow lameness with a transient model

Abell

Johnson²,

Karriker³

et al. 2014

Animal

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Feet and legs issues are some of the main causes for sow removal in the US swine industry. More timely lameness detection among breeding herd females will allow better treatment decisions and outcomes. Producers will be able to treat lame females before the problem becomes too severe and cull females while they still have salvage value. The objective of this study was to compare the predictive abilities and accuracies of weight distribution and gait measures relative to each other and to a visual lameness detection method when detecting induced lameness among multiparous sows. Developing an objective lameness diagnosis algorithm will benefit animals, producers and scientists in timely and effective identification of lame individuals as well as aid producers in their efforts to decrease herd lameness by selecting animals that are less prone to become lame. In the early stages of lameness, weight distribution and gait are impacted. Lameness was chemically induced for a short time period in 24 multiparous sows and their weight distribution and walking gait were measured in the days following lameness induction. A linear mixed model was used to determine differences between measurements collected from day to day. Using a classification tree analysis, it was determined that the mean weight being placed on each leg was the most predictive measurement when determining whether the leg was sound or lame. The classification tree's predictive ability decreased as the number of days post-lameness induction increased. The weight distribution measurements had a greater predictive ability compared with the gait measurements. The error rates associated with the weight distribution trees were 29.2% and 31.3% at 6 days post-lameness induction for front and rear injected feet, respectively. For the gait classification trees, the error rates were 60.9% and 29.8% at 6 days post-lameness induction for front and rear injected feet, respectively. More timely lameness detection can improve sow lifetime productivity as well as animal welfare.

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“…Sheep motor behavior is quantifiable [49][50][51][52][53]. Therefore we next tested the feasibility of Figure 1A), which indicates that the deepest contacts were located within the vicinity of the medial STN or its adjacent projections (e.g.…”

Section: The Threshold Of Stimulation-evoked Motor Responses Depends mentioning

confidence: 99%

Motor behaviors in the sheep evoked by electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus

Lentz

Zhao

Kelly

et al. 2015

Experimental Neurology

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The inter- and intra-observer reliability of a locomotion scoring scale for sheep

Cited by 92 publications

References 33 publications

Inter-observer agreement, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of animal-based indicators of young lamb welfare

Inter-observer agreement, diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of animal-based indicators of young lamb welfare

Using classification trees to detect induced sow lameness with a transient model

Motor behaviors in the sheep evoked by electrical stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus

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