Animal sciences - health and welfare

five freedoms (1993)

1. Freedom from thirst, hunger, and malnutrition

2. Freedom from discomfort due to the environment

3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease

4. Freedom to express normal behaviour for the species

5. Freedom from free and distress

Animal welfare definitions among scientists

• how an axial feels (Duncan)

• Pre-pathological state (moberg)

• Animals attempts to cope with is environment (broom)

• “Performance Axiom” which emphasizes productivity and reproductive performance (Curtis)

• State of the animal (OIE)

Biological functioning

Health, growth, Repro, with minimal pain and injury

Quality of life

• providing for an animals nature and biological functioning

• Mini mailing pain and distress

Natural life

Animals should be allowed to satisfy most aspects of its nature and have good biological functioning

Welfare vs Productivity

Productivity

• growth, reproduction - traditional indicators for well-being

• Link between well-being and productivity is real low at levels of productivity

  • depressed health, growth, reproduction, survival indicators significant problems

• To a point, increased survival4 and growth indicate a positive contribution to well-being via

  • better nutrition

  • Protection from harsh weather

  • Better healthcare