Articles tagged with 'Farm animal husbandry'
Why is environmental enrichment important for meat chicken welfare?
For meat chickens to experience good welfare, it’s important that their environment is stimulating and enriching, and allows them to exhibit their natural behaviours. These behaviours include perching, dust bathing, foraging, ground scratching, and stretching and flapping their wings.
Why is environmental enrichment important for turkeys?
For turkeys in commercial production systems to experience good welfare, it is important that their environment is stimulating, enriching and allows them to exhibit natural behaviours.
Why is wallowing important for pig welfare?
Wallowing is a natural behaviour which pigs are motivated to perform and, when given the opportunity, pigs will make their own wallows. A wallow is a shallow depression containing muddy water in which a pig will often dig and root before entering to cover themselves in mud.
Why is access to adequate light important for meat chicken welfare?
Access to adequate light and periods of darkness are necessary for meat chicken welfare, as they encourage natural behaviours including appropriate physical activity and rest.
What are the animal welfare issues with the slaughter of turkeys?
Turkeys raised for meat production (e. g. whole turkey or drumsticks) are bred to grow and gain weight very rapidly, with birds ready for processing at around 10 weeks old.
What is the impact on animal welfare of depriving farm animals of water during transport?
Livestock transported in Australia are routinely deprived of water for variable periods including curfew (prior to transport), during transport and in saleyards and depots.
Why do dairy cows become lame?
Foot lameness is a common problem in dairy farming and not unusual in wet conditions.
What is the difference between a farrowing crate and a farrowing hut?
In indoor intensive systems, pregnant gilts/sows (female pigs) are moved to a farrowing crate, also known as a piglet protection pen, approximately a week before farrowing (giving birth). Farrowing crates confine sows so that they are unable to turn around.
What is avian influenza (or ‘bird flu’) and what is its impact on animal welfare?
Avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds but can also pose risks to other animals and humans. It is known to affect more than 140 bird species including chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, ducks, geese, emus and ostriches.
What is virtual fencing (and virtual herding) and does it impact animal welfare?
What is virtual fencing? Virtual fencing aims to remotely map and control livestock grazing behaviour without the use of fixed fences.