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

2. 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.

3. 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”

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. 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"

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Animal Welfare Judging Team