Examples of Issues Affecting Animal Welfare

a. Issues Affecting Physical Welfare

• Malnutrition: Inadequate feed quality or quantity leading to stunted growth and poor productivity.
• Dehydration: Lack of clean water sources, particularly in hot climates.
• Overcrowding: High stocking density in poultry houses or pig pens leading to injuries and poor growth.
• Poor Housing: Inadequate ventilation, slippery floors causing lameness in cattle.
• Disease and Parasites: Mastitis in dairy cattle, foot rot in sheep, external parasites in poultry.
• Transport Stress: Long-distance transport without rest, food, or water, causing exhaustion and mortality.
• Painful Procedures: Dehorning, branding, castration without analgesia.

b. Issues Affecting Mental Welfare (Affective State)

• Fear: Rough handling, loud noises, isolation from herd/flock.
• Distress: Repeated exposure to stressful situations like transport and slaughter.
• Frustration: Restrictive housing systems preventing normal activities (e.g., sows in farrowing crates).
• Boredom: Lack of environmental enrichment leading to stereotypic behaviors in zoo and farm animals.
• Pain and Suffering: From untreated injuries or chronic diseases.
• Separation Stress: Early weaning of calves and piglets, removal of companion animals.

c. Issues Affecting Naturalness (Ability to Express Normal Behavior)

• Confinement: Battery cages in poultry prevent wing flapping, nesting, and dust bathing.
• Restriction of Grazing: Zero-grazing systems for cattle prevent natural foraging and walking.
• Overcrowding: Reduces ability to perform natural movements like lying, stretching, or social grooming.
• Lack of Social Interaction: Isolating herd animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep causes’ abnormal behavior.
• Inadequate Space: Pigs unable to root or wallow, chickens unable to perch.
• Artificial Breeding Practices: Selection for production traits (e.g., broilers bred for rapid growth) causes health problems that reduce natural behaviors.