Articles tagged with 'Farming methods'
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.
What are the animal welfare issues associated with imported pork?
All fresh pork products sold in Australia are from pigs raised in Australia, whereas imported pork products are either ‘small goods’ such as processed pork (ham, bacon or salami) or pre-cooked pork (pulled pork).
What happens with male chicks in the egg industry?
In the egg industry, the sex of day-old chicks is determined at the hatchery. Sexing chicks (determining whether they are a hen or a rooster) requires considerable skill and is done at this very early stage to determine their fate.
Do slow growing meat chickens have better welfare than fast growing meat chickens?
In Australia, the two predominant commercial breeds of meat chicken are conventional fast-growing breeds. These breeds have been selectively bred over time to rapidly gain muscle mass and reach slaughter weight at 4-5 weeks of age to meet production and consumer demands.
What are the animal welfare issues with mating stalls for pigs?
A mating stall is a crate used to hold a female pig for artificial insemination. In a mating stall, a female breeding pig is able to stand up or lie down but unable to turn around.
How are layer hens farmed in Australia?
Hens are smart, quirky and inquisitive creatures. Descended from jungle fowl, they still possess instincts strongly aligned with seeking shelter in vegetation and roosting up high at night to keep away from predators.
What are the animal welfare issues with farrowing crates for sows?
In Australia, most pigs are housed in intensive indoor systems. In these intensive systems, pigs may be confined and raised in barren environments, which leads to a higher risk of pigs experiencing poor welfare outcomes.
What are the animal welfare issues with sow stalls?
In Australia, most pigs are housed in intensive indoor systems. In these intensive systems, pigs may be confined and raised in barren environments, which leads to a higher risk of pigs experiencing poor welfare outcomes.
What are the animal welfare issues with housing layer hens in cages?
All layer hen housing systems have advantages and disadvantages, but caged housing systems inherently compromise the welfare of layer hens because of the confinement and behavioural restriction they impose.