“Animal welfare is simply supplying the proper care for our animals by protecting them and providing their needs,” said Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton, professor and director at the University of Arkansas Center for Agricultural Food Animal Wellbeing.
“As a topic, animal welfare has become a misunderstood, controversial and often confusing topic,” Thaxton said. “This is the result of the disconnect between people and their food, in the United States. Today, less than 2 percent of the entire population has any connection to agriculture. Thus, the general population knows animals as pets, in zoos and in the media.”
Horses and mules were significant sources of farm labor in the early 1900s, but as tractors and other farm equipment were developed many of these animals were kept as pets. “Today you can buy diapers for your chickens so that you can have them in your home,” Thaxton said. “The move from domestic animal to pets changes the perception of the animals in many ways.”
Animal welfare is basic to animal agriculture. “It is the right thing to do and critical for sustained production regardless of the system,” Thaxton added.
“At Butterball, we strive to be a leader and set the industry standard for animal care and well-being,” said Stephanie Llorente, public relations manager for Butterball, LLC. “That’s why Butterball is working with industry leading specialists and scientists in animal care to assist in further developing our on-farm processes and practices. With the American Humane Association (AHA)’s rigorous inspection and certification, we ensure that our practices meet the AHA’s independent Humane Certification standards.”
As knowledge of animal behavior increased, so did understanding of the needs of animals. “Increased efficiency and expansion after World War II also presented challenges,” Thaxton said. Today there are minimum accepted requirements for good animal care. For a place to start refer to these five suggestions.
1) Eliminate thirst and hunger – by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor.
2) Eliminate discomfort – by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3) Eliminate pain, injury and disease – by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4) Allow animal to express normal behavior – by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5) Eliminate fear and distress – by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
Poultry companies have vertically integrated programs which detail the best practices of animal welfare for each type of facility. “On the other hand, independent small farms must devise their own systems,” Thaxton said. “The University of Arkansas Extension Service conducts annual seminars for backyard poultry farmers. On request, other training could also be provided to groups.”
For more information about poultry well being and animal welfare, please contact your state’s Department of Agriculture, area livestock extension specialist or state livestock association.
