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Animal agriculture: symbiosis, culture, or ethical conflict? (Animals and their welfare)
Contributor(s):: Lund, V., Olsson, I. A. S.
Several writers on animal ethics defend the abolition of most or all animal agriculture which they consider an unethical exploitation of sentient non-human animals. However, animal agriculture can also be seen as a co-evolution over thousands of years, that has affected biology and behaviour on...
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The reshaping of conventional farming: a North American perspective. (Special Issue: Two systems - one world.)
Contributor(s):: Thompson, P. B.
Debates over the future of agriculture in North America establish a dialectical opposition between conventional, industrial agriculture and alternative, sustainable agriculture. This opposition has roots that extend back to the 18th century in the USA, but the debate has taken a number of...
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The effects of operant control over food and light on the behaviour of domestic hens
Contributor(s):: Taylor, P. E., Coerse, N. C. A., Haskell, M.
In intensive farming systems, the animals have little control over important elements in their environments. For instance, food of a pre-set type is delivered at set times, and the lighting schedule is controlled by the farmer. It has been suggested that low levels of environmental control over...
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Global perspectives on animal welfare: Africa. (Special issue: Animal welfare: global issues, trends and challenges)
Contributor(s):: Masiga, W. N., Munyua, S. J. M.
Livestock production systems, production objectives, the cultural values of livestock keepers, and the close relationship between keepers and their livestock have evolved over the years and have influenced the quality of animal welfare in Africa. An equivalent level and quality of care is not...
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Main causes of poor welfare in intensively reared dairy cows.
| Contributor(s):: Abeni, F., Bertoni, G.
The aim of this review is to summarise the main causes of poor welfare in intensively reared dairy cows. Intensive farming systems are considered, both from a structural and a managerial point of view, for their constraints that may limit animal welfare: possible physical activity; acceptable...
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The welfare of dairy buffalo.
| Contributor(s):: Rosa, G. de, Grasso, F., Pacelli, C., Napolitano, F., Winckler, C.
The present paper addresses the issue on buffalo welfare. Firstly, the biological characteristics and behavioural needs of buffalo are considered. Subsequently, the effects of intensive farming and some animal-related indicators, to be used for a monitoring scheme of buffalo welfare at farm...
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Towards the creation of a welfare assessment system in intensive beef cattle farms.
| Contributor(s):: Gottardo, F., Brscic, M., Contiero, B., Cozzi, G., Andrighetto, I.
This study aimed to develop an assessment scheme for the evaluation at farm level of beef cattle welfare in the intensive rearing system that is capable of both identifying weak points in animal welfare and grading farms to such extent. The basic principle of the method was the avoidance of...
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Effect of early dietary experiences on the development of feeding preferences in semi-intensive sheep farming systems - a brief note
| Contributor(s):: Simitzis, P. E., Bizelis, J. A., Deligeorgis, S. G., Feggeros, K.
The crucial role of the periweaning period in the development of lamb feeding preferences was examined in the present study. Twenty-four female lambs were fed with a commercial diet, supplemented with oregano essential oil (1 ml/kg) between the 15th and 55th day of their life, in the absence of...
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Habitat use and ranging behaviour of a high-density population of Spanish red deer in a fenced intensively managed area
| Contributor(s):: Lazo, A., Soriguer, R. C., Fandos, P.
The spacing behaviour of red deer in southwest Spain was studied in a fenced estate in which both animal and land management were intensive. Deer density, but mainly stag density, was maintained at artificially high levels on the estate. Land management practices, like terracing and scrub...
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Can we extrapolate from intensive to extensive conditions?
| Contributor(s):: Appleby, M. C.
Most studies of farm animal welfare have been carried out in intensive conditions. Considering the welfare of extensively farmed animals therefore raises questions of perceptions, processes and priorities. There are general perceptions that we are not responsible for the welfare of wild animals...
