Animal welfare Flashcards
Animal welfare
Refers to the the physical and mental wellbeing of animals
Main indicators of animal welfare
Behavioural, physiology, longevity and reproduction
Five freedoms for animal welfare
Freedom from thirst and hunger Freedom from discomfort Freedom from pain, injury and disease Freedom to behave normally Freedom from fear and distress
Freedom from thirst and hunger
By constant access to fresh water and diet to maintain health and vigour
Freedom from discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area
Freedom from pain, injury and disease
By application of preventative measures pr rapid diagnosis and treatment if a problem arises
Freedom to behave normally
By providing sufficient space and company of the animals own kind.
Freedom from fear and distress
By ensuring the animal does not differ unnecessary pain or distress
Intensive farming
Intensive farming is a cost effective way to
help ensure food security for the growing
human population. Often costs are low,
generating higher profits. However it is less
ethical than free range farming due to
poorer animal welfare.
Free range farming
Providing domesticated animals with the 5 freedoms
Free range farming positives
Consumers willing to pay higher price, for better quality produce along with the knowledge that the animal lived a happy l and healthy life
Free range farming negatives
It’s more labour intensive, and requires more financial input
Indicators of poor welfare
Stereotypy, misdirected behaviour, failure in sexual or parental behaviour and altered levels of activity
Stereotypy
a behavior pattern that takes the
form of a repetitive movement that lacks variation
2 examples of stereotypy
Pacing type - constant walking of a circuit or back and forth
Oral type - obsessive object licking and tongue rolling (common in grazing animals)
Other types of stereotypy
rocking backwards and forwards or side to side, head shaking and rubbing against an object
When is stereotypy displayed
When animals are housed in bare or confined conditions
How is stereotypy reduced
when the environment is enriched with more activities or areas
Misdirected behaviour
Misdirected behavior is when an animal acts
inappropriately to itself, another animal or its surroundings. The behavior will be normal but is displayed in an inappropriate/different situation.
May be towards other animals as well
Furthermore could be excessive use of an action
How is misdirected behaviour reduced
Enriching the environment
Failure in sexual or parental behaviour
Poor living conditions and periods of isolation can lead to animals failing to reproduce properly. The natural pattern of sexual behaviour either in terms of partners, timing or action does not happen.
How is reproductive failure/parental failure reduced
Increasing social contact of the animals
Levels of activity
If an animal displays an altered
level of activity e.g.
• Very high activity levels (hysteria or hyper- aggression)
• Very low activity levels (apathy or excessive sleeping)
these may be indicators of poor welfare
