Articles tagged with 'Intensive farming'
What is the risk of farmed poultry contracting avian influenza (or ‘bird flu’)?
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.
What are the animal welfare challenges associated with meat chicken production?
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.
How are meat chickens farmed in Australia?
Chickens are sociable, 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.
Is intensive aquaculture similar to intensive land-based livestock production?
In 2022, global production of aquatic animals through aquaculture (51%) exceeded capture fisheries production (49% of total production) for the first time. With reduced abundance of wild caught fish stocks and increasing demand for seafood, this percentage is likely to increase in the future.
What are the animal welfare issues with feedlots for cattle?
Feedlots are yarded areas where cattle, after having been raised on pasture, are held in groups in close confinement while being fed a grain-based ration. Feedlot pens may hold 50-200 cattle each.
What are the animal welfare issues with feedlots for sheep?
Welfare issues for sheep in feedlots, particularly where sheep are housed indoors in sheds, include social stress, limited space allowance and ability to express natural behaviours, lameness and other health problems.
How are turkeys farmed in Australia?
Turkeys are sociable, curious, and quirky creatures. Domesticated turkeys today are descended from several turkey subspecies originating from Mexico. A turkey’s natural lifespan can be up to 10 years, however in commercial turkey meat production they will be slaughtered at 10-18 weeks.
Why can’t the RSPCA prosecute farmers for keeping animals in intensive systems?
Intensive farming methods involve removing animals from their natural environments and keeping them housed or confined for all, or a large part, of their lives. They are raised in large numbers under controlled conditions, commonly involving use of hormones, antibiotics and vaccines.
What is ‘One Health’?
‘One Health’ is the concept that animal health and human health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems in which they exist.
How are salmon farmed in Australia?
Current scientific evidence demonstrates that fish are sentient animals, capable of experiencing pain and suffering. Salmon have a natural lifespan of between 3 to 8 years. Born in freshwater and living their adult lives at sea, but then returning to their freshwater birthplace to spawn.