Week 9 Tutorial (Pets, Animal Welfare, and Livestock Production Systems)

What proportion of New Zealand households own at least one pet?

A significant majority, approximately 63%.

List the top four (4) most common pets in NZ?

Cats(40%) ,Dogs (31%), Fowl(5.5%) and Fish(5.0%).

What is meant by the term anthropomorphism?

Attributing human characteristics and behavior to animals.

• e.g. Birds giving hugs or dogs smiling.

List four (4) common reasons for owning a pet.

• Companionship

• Security

• Relaxation

• Giving younger children a responsibility.

• Encouraged exercise.

• Pest Control.

• They needed a home.

• Inherited it.

• Is a working Animal.

• To breed/ enter competitions/ as a hobby.

List four (4) common negative aspects of, or barriers to, pet ownership.

• Allergies

• Limited space/Unsuitable home.

• Unsuitable Lifestyle

• Large time commitment and responsibility.

• Can be expensive.

• Messy and potentially damage to house or belongings.

• Could cause physical harm and disease.

• Pet loss can be heartbreaking.

• Property landlord does not allow animals.

TRUE or FALSE: In New Zealand, it is mandatory to desex (neuter/spay) your pet cat.

False.

It is dependent on your local councils legislations.

Thus, It is not mandatory to desex pet cats on a national level.

TRUE or FALSE: In New Zealand, pet dogs must be registered and microchipped.

True. In New Zealand, it is a legal requirement for pet dogs to be registered and microchipped.

Are animals used in research, testing and teaching covered under New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999?

Animals used in research, testing, and teaching are covered in the act, but by a separate section and are treated differently.

Why are sheep the most common animal used for research and teaching in New Zealand?

Sheep are the most commonly used because:

• We have a massive agriculture sector and a lot of the research being done relates to animals in farming situation (Growth, behavior, breeding ect.)

• Sheep also have similar physiology to other ruminants and thus can be used as proxies for these species. This is because in comparison to other ruminants, such as cattle, they are the cheapest and easiest to manage.

• Sheep are also used in human pregnancy research due to the similar size of fetus, but are easier to operate on.

Why are live birds not allowed to be imported into New Zealand?

Live birds are not allowed to be imported into New Zealand due to concerns over biosecurity and the potential introduction of avian diseases, that we are currently free of, that could harm our unique population of rare and endangered birds, and poultry industries.

Define animal ethics.

A branch of ethics examining human-animal relationships and the moral consideration of animals, focusing on how nonhuman animals ought to be treated.

Define animal welfare.

Refers to the welfare of animals, specifically how they experience life and whether this experience is good or bad.

Define animal rights.

Primarily refers to the right of animals not to be used or exploited by humans.

List four (4) key points from New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999.

1. Recognizes animals as sentient.

2. Creation of regulations to make animal welfare more immediately enforceable.

3. Some animals are not protected under the act because they are classified as pests.

4. Animals used in research, testing, and teaching are covered in the act, but by a separate section and are treated differently.

Define what is meant by the 'physical, health, and behavioral needs' of animals as stated in the New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999.

The Act defines these needs as:

1. Proper and sufficient food and water

2. Adequate shelter

3. The opportunity to display normal patterns of behavior

4. Appropriate physical handling

5. Protection from, and rapid diagnosis of, injury and disease.

List the four areas of information provided in New Zealand’s Codes of Welfare in relation to provision of minimum animal welfare standards.

Details on minimum standards for specific species and situations are written into the various Codes of Welfare.

• These codes cover:

1. Appropriate management of animals

2. Appropriate behavior of animal owners and handlers

3. Establishment of minimum standards

4. Identification and promotion of best practice

Who is the primary regulatory body responsible for the development of animal welfare policy in New Zealand?

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for the development of policy.

• Policy formed by them on animal welfare standards are enforceable by law.

  • by RSPCA and MPI inspectors.

List and briefly describe three NZ animal welfare issues.

Some Examples:

• Methods of Egg production: caged versus barn.

  • Issues with overcrowding and living conditions.

• Dairy farming: Concerns about treatment and living conditions of dairy cows.

• Greyhound racing: Issues regarding the treatment of racing dogs and their retirement.

• Methods of Euthanasia and Sexing/spaying.

• Companion animals:

  • Nutrition and exercise.

    • The epidemic obesity in pets.

  • Designer breeds.

    • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Heart issues and a genetic condition called Syringomyelia.

    • British Bulldogs: Predisposition to bone and joint problems, particularly in the hip.

    • Poodles: Trouble with vision and patellar luxation.

    • Pugs: Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS).

• Conservation:

  • Cats vs. wildlife.

    • Cats kill birds but restricting there outdoor movements infringes there rights under the animal welfare act.

  • Control of introduced species.

  • Captive breeding programs/zoos.

Define what is meant by “intensive livestock production”.

A productive system characterized by large amounts of labor and capital relative to land area.

Define what is meant by “extensive livestock production”.

A productive system characterized by small amounts of labor and capital relative to land area.

What type of climate does New Zealand have? ? Discuss the influence New Zealand’s climate has on its sheep and cattle production systems.

New Zealand has a temperate climate.

This provides suitable rainfall and pasture growth, allowing for a relatively cheap and renewable feed source.

Describe pig production systems currently used in New Zealand.

• New Zealand has a relatively small pig industry:

  • Approximately 90 commercial pig farms in NZ.

    • Average herd size approximately 300 sows.

• About 40-45% of these commercial pig operations are outdoor.

  • There are two types of these Outdoor Systems:

    • Free farmed (The majority):

      • Outdoor-based breeding herd.

      • Indoor-based housing system for growing pigs post-weaning.

    • Free range (2%):

      • Outdoor-based breeding herd.

      • Newly weaned pigs may be kept for a short period in a fenced outdoor pen with a shelter, before they are fully transitioned for rearing outdoors during the grower-finisher period.

Describe poultry production systems currently used in New Zealand.

There are two types of poultry; Broilers(meat production) and layer hens (egg production).

For Broiler Chickens:

• Two housing systems:

  • 97% of NZ Broiler chickens are raised in barns.

  • The remaining 3% in free-range system.

    • Birds housed in a barn but can roam freely outdoors for at least part of the day.

For Layer Hens:

• Three housing systems:

  • Colony cages: 33%.

  • Free range: 34% - Access to an extensive outdoor area with an indoor shelter.

  • Barn: 33% - Deep litter system, similar to a broiler house.

New Zealand leads the world in poultry performance, in terms of growth, feed conversion and egg production. Why?

New Zealand leads the world in poultry performance because of its Biosecurity efforts.

• These mean NZ is free of 2/3 major poultry diseases: exotic Newcastle disease and avian influenza.

  • Leading to the superior health of the New Zealand poultry flock.