Welfare in Intensive farming Flashcards
FOUR welfare issues associated with Intensive broiler production system
- Intensive dairy production system
- Intensive sheep production system
Welfare issues specific to fast growth rates:
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Higher Mortality: The average mortality (including spontaneous deaths and the culling of diseased birds by stock people) was 2.9% in one large study7 (18% was not unusual in the 1920s8). Changes in breeds, growing period, management and disease control have improved levels but rapid growth rates still result in many mortalities. The larger EU broiler companies (that slaughter at an age of 32 to 40 days), work to
9 reduce overall mortality to less than 5% in the production period .
Increased risk of lameness: Skeletal disorders such as bone deformity and other leg disorders can lead to impaired walking abilities and lameness. Lameness problems are multi-factoral but studies have shown that fast-growing chickens have higher rates of lameness compared to slower-growing breeds. Birds with severe
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walking problems are experiencing pain . Rapid growth of broilers results in a quick increase in body
weight, which puts their skeletal system under stress. When this happens, fast growing chickens become less active and have more leg disorders. However, the legs of slower growing broilers are better able to
11 carrytheirbodyweight,andthisdoesnotleadtoboneandjointproblems .
A large study found that on average 57% of the fast growing birds had severe walking problems,
Poor environment: Pollution (e.g. ammonia from droppings), wet litter and higher temperatures are all a problem due to the increased biomass (the number of the chickens in one space). Limiting stocking densities without adequate control over the environment will therefore not automatically lead to the expected
25 improvementsinwelfare .
• Poor welfare management practices: The practice of ‘thinning’ a flock is commonly used in the broiler
industry (in the EU but not US) and involves the catching and removal of a portion of the flock (usually the
female birds that are lighter) for slaughter, to allow the remaining birds more room to grow on to a greater
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weight .Thisprocesscausesmultipleepisodesofstressandpotentialinjurytotheanimalsduringcatching
(see section on catching below) as well as an increased risk of Campylobacter in the remaining flock which 27
causesfoodpoisoninginpeople
FOUR welfare issues associated with Intensive dairy production system
3. Intensive sheep production system
Lameness is painful and a significant welfare problem for dairy cows worldwide. Cows may go lame due to various conditions associated with bacterial infection, such as hoof lesions, sole ulcers, laminitis and digital dermatitis. These conditions can be caused by poor quality floors, ineffective foot trimming, poor nutrition and prolonged standing on concrete floors. Lameness often leads to additional welfare problems such as mastitis and metabolic diseases.
Mastitis, inflammation of the udder, is the painful result of bacterial infection that is prevalent among dairy cows. In a herd of 100 cows in the UK, there could be as many as 70 cases of mastitis every year on average. A cow’s udder can become infected with mastitis-causing bacteria due to contamination of milking equipment or bedding. Therefore cows that are housed for long periods of time are more likely to develop mastitis than those kept at pasture.
Cow infertility is a major productivity problem for farmers with high-yielding dairy cows. It can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress and poor body condition, therefore it is often a sign of poor welfare.
Most dairy cows will be kept indoors for part or all of the year. Cows typically have less opportunity to act naturally and exercise when indoors, compared to when they are at pasture, however indoor housing may be necessary during bad weather. Good housing design and management are essential for good welfare. Crowded conditions, poor ventilation and high humidity increase the risk and spread of infection.
FOUR welfare issues associated with Intensive sheep production system
The most significant stressors on the farms and pastures originate from unfavourable housing conditions, incorrect handling procedures, veterinary and zootechnical measures and procedures (treatment, vaccinations, blood tests, surgery, labelling, weaning, grouping, shearing, shortening the tail, hoof care), inadequate climatic conditions (extreme heat and cold) and nutrition.
Describe how the Milk fever in cattle may impact on animal welfare under intensive production systems.
• Ovine pregnancy toxaemia • Downer sow syndrome
When a cow’s calcium reservoirs are low the stress on the body from calving and production of milk/colostrum can be fatal.
Highlights sufficient preventive measures have. Not been taken
Describe how the Ovine pregnancy toxaemia in cattle may impact on animal welfare under intensive production systems.
Downer sow syndrome
Onset of the disease is often triggered by one of several types of stress including nutritional or inclement weather.
Both pregnancy toxaemia and hypocalcaemia can be avoided if producers provide adequate ewe nutrition and minimise herding and yarding of ewes in late pregnancy and early lactation.
Describe how the Downer sow syndrome in cattle may impact on animal welfare under intensive production systems.
Osteomalacia is a condition responsible for the downer sow syndrome. Fractures of the long bones at the mid shaft and fractures of the lumber vertebrae are common, with the sow becoming paraplegic. The condition is due to inadequate levels of calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D in the ration. Sometimes sows cannot absorb sufficient micro-nutrients in spite of there being adequate levels in the diet. OM is also associated with immature skeletons, an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus and vitamin D and/or a failure of the sow to consume adequate feed and satisfy her nutritional requirements. Large amounts of calcium and phosphorus are excreted into milk from the bones resulting in weaker less dense bone which predisposes to fractures. Bone mass is also lost due to lack of exercise during confinement in the farrowing crate.
