AHW Basics

Question 1

Name 3 impacts of poor husbandry.

Answer 1

• Discomfort
• Abnormal behaviour
• Disease/pain
• Fear/distress
• Hunger/thirst

Question 2

What role do vets play in husbandry and welfare?

Answer 2

Responsible for advising and training clients on best animal husbandry practice and to ensure that veterinary medicines are not being used to compensate for poor husbandry.

Question 3

Name 3 things that influence the choice of husbandry system.

Answer 3

• Availability of labour
• Legal requirements
• Behaviour of animals
• Ethics
• Owner preferences
• Technological advances

Question 4

Name 3 factors that need assessing when conducting an audit of any husbandry system.

Answer 4

• Health and welfare of the animals
• Handling
• Breeds & reproduction
• Housing and hygiene
• Biosecurity
• Legal requirements
• Owner abilities/stockmanship

Question 5

What are the four options of assessing a husbandry system?

Answer 5

1. Analysis of records
2. Evaluation of resources
3. Animal assessments
4. People assessments

Question 6

What is the acronym for the four options of assessing a husbandry system?

Answer 6

C - client
A - animal observations
R - records
E - environment + resources

Question 7

What is evaluation of resources?

Answer 7

Comparing buildings/facilities and the environment to carefully designed ‘standards’.

Question 8

List 3 reasons for housing animals.

Answer 8

• Protection from weather/predators
• Protection of land from animals
• Ease of management
• Purpose-built handling facilities
• Enables increased stocking densities
• Much more control over feeding/temperature

Question 9

Name 3 things to consider with housing.

Answer 9

Building structure, ventilation, temperature, flooring, space allowances, feeding/watering systems.

Question 10

Explain why good ventilation is important.

Answer 10

• Replenish depleted oxygen
• Prevent build up of excreted gases
• Prevent accumulation of moisture and dust particles
• Remove pathogens

Question 11

What are the consequences of poor ventilation?

Answer 11

• Increases incidence of disease
• Reduced appetite & productivity
• Increases temp. and humidity —> condensation problems

Question 12

What are the consequences of excessive ventilation?

Answer 12

• Environmental ‘chilling’
• Stress & increases disease susceptibility

Question 13

Explain the stack effect.

Answer 13

Animals heat air around them —> hot air rises —> hot air will escape out hole in top of building —> take away excess heat/moisture/pathogens —> negative pressure now draws in cool air through the sides of the building (provided there are holes/inlets).

Question 14

What does the stack affect depend on?

Answer 14

Animals being in the building.

Question 15

What is space (Yorkshire) boarding?

Answer 15

Gaps between the boards allows air to flow in (and out) but prevents the entry of nearly all rain.

Question 16

Describe some simple practical ways to assess ventilation.

Answer 16

• Min&max rates published for different species - Defra codes
• Some simple practical tests: smoke test (shows how air moves through the building e.g. look for dead spaces/should clear), observe the animals (huddling, coughing, breathing), min/max thermometers, relative humidity monitor, nose! (ammonia/dusty/damp)

Question 17

Explain the role of the vet with respect to housing and building design.

Answer 17

• Need to understand how different aspects of building design are risk factors for diseases and poor welfare.
• Be able to critically appraise building design.
• Know when to seek more specialist advice and work in a team with building experts.