Relationship between Five Freedoms and Inputs/Outputs
a. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
- Input: Balanced feed and clean water provision.
- Output: Normal body condition score, no signs of dehydration.
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b. Freedom from Discomfort
- Input: Comfortable housing, bedding, climate control.
- Output: Animals resting calmly, no prolonged standing due to discomfort.
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c. Freedom from Pain, Injury, and Disease
- Input: Preventive health care, good housing design.
- Output: Low mortality/morbidity rates, healthy physical condition.
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d. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
- Input: Adequate space, enrichment, social groups.
- Output: Play behavior, grooming, social interactions.
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e. Freedom from Fear and Distress
- Input: Low-stress handling, quiet environment, humane transport.
- Output: Calm animals, absence of abnormal fear responses or stress behaviors.
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Importance in Welfare Assessment
- Inputs show what is provided → necessary but not sufficient.
- Outputs show what animals actually experience → essential for true welfare evaluation.
- Modern welfare science emphasizes animal-based outputs over purely resource-based inputs.
- Combining both gives a complete welfare assessment.