Articles tagged with 'Farming methods'

Veal is the meat from a younger animal of either a dairy breed, dairy crossbreed or beef breed.

Chickens grown for meat production are genetically very different from layer hens bred to produce eggs. Meat chickens have been selectively bred to grow and gain weight very fast to maximise production, with birds reaching slaughter weight at 4-6 weeks old.

Ducks may be farmed in Australia for their meat, eggs or feathers. Domestic ducks used in duck farming all originate from the wild mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos). The main breeds used are Pekin and Muscovy ducks. Ducks farmed for meat will typically be slaughtered between 6-7 weeks of age.

The way in which rabbits are farmed for meat results in a number of welfare concerns. These concerns arise from the confinement of animals in a way that prevents them from moving freely and does not satisfy their behavioural, social and physiological needs.

In the debate about feeding a growing world population and in which livestock industries often see an opportunity to increase the scale or the intensity of their operations, rarely is consideration given to the effect this might have on farm animal welfare.

In Australia, pigs farmed for meat may be housed in intensive indoor, semi-indoor (outdoor-bred) or outdoor (free-range) farming systems. Intensive indoor housing systems can lead to several serious welfare problems.

Turkeys, along with chickens and ducks, are one of the more common species of poultry farmed for meat. Domestic turkeys were originally bred from wild turkey stock native to North America.

Domestication of goats began centuries ago. Goats live in herds, and are social animals, living 8-15 years. Australia has developed several new goat breeds for milk production. Farming of dairy goats is a relatively small industry in Australia.