Behavior and Welfare as it Relates to Stockmanship Camie Heleski November, 2000

Behavior Being an excellent observer of behavior for the species under your care is crucial to being a good “stockman”. We will discuss further on Wednesday.

Introduction to Animal Welfare Animal Rights vs. Animal Welfare Philosophical difference We can be “utilitarian” and still believe animals should be reared with good welfare standards Some prefer “well-being” to “welfare”

Some countries tightly regulated United Kingdom - 5 Freedoms freedom from hunger & thirst (by ready access to fresh water & a diet to maintain full health & vigor) freedom from discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter & a comfortable resting area freedom from pain, injury or disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis & treatment

Freedom to express normal behavior - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities & company of the animal’s own kind (probably one of the hardest to provide guidelines for; can add to price of food products - are Americans willing to pay for enhanced welfare? Freedom from fear and distress - by ensuring conditions & treatment which avoid mental suffering

Another way of saying this… Those who care for livestock should practice: caring & responsible planning & mgt.; skilled, knowledgeable & conscientious stockmanship; appropriate environmental design; considerate handling & transport; and humane slaughter (Broom & Johnson, 1993)

Welfare is, to a large extent, a subjective measure; represents a continuum The measures may be objective, but weighing them into an assessment involves ethical values Measures of poor welfare Reduced life expectancy Reduced ability to grow or breed Body damage Disease immunosuppression

Measures of poor welfare (cont.) Physiological attempts to cope Behavioral attempts to cope Behavioral pathology Extent of suppression of normal behavior Extent to which normal physiological processes & anatomical development are prevented (Broom & Johnson, 1993)

Measures of good welfare (harder to assess with “scientific” data) Variety of “normal” behaviors shown Extent to which strongly preferred behaviors can be shown Physiological indicators of pleasure Behavioral indicators of pleasure (Broom & Johnson, 1993)

Disruption of homeostasis is referred to as “stress” or a “stressor” An animal’s systems strive to maintain homeostasis; our domestic livestock species tend to be especially good at this Disruption of homeostasis is referred to as “stress” or a “stressor” Often referred to as negative but not all stresses are “bad” A completely barren environment may be “stress free” but not be desirable; enriched environment with minor “stressors"

Coping - some animals are able to adapt to stressors more effectively than other animals; they have better coping strategies

Selye’s Stress Theory Studied rats Found that many stressors, especially those which the animal had no control over, resulted in increased glucocorticoid hormone response, suppression of the immune system and susceptibility to ulcers

In conclusion, a good “stockman” strives to know his/her animals Realizes good animal management involves more than just making sure they gain weight Has excellent observation skills

Animal Welfare Judging Team