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Integrating Parameters to Assess On-Farm Welfare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

H Spoolder ,
G De Rosa ,
B Hörning ,
S Waiblinger  and
F Wemelsfelder
H Spoolder*
Affiliation:
Research Institute for Animal Husbandry, P O Box 2176, 8203 AD Lelystad, The Netherlands
G De Rosa
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Scienze zootecniche e Ispezione degli alimenti, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II” — Via Università 133, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy
B Hörning
Affiliation:
Department of Farm Animal Behaviour and Management, University of Kassel, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
S Waiblinger
Affiliation:
Veterinärmedizinische Universität, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria
F Wemelsfelder
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: H.A.M.Spoolder@pv.agro.nl
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Abstract

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Given the absence of a ‘Golden Standard’ for the objective determination of welfare, the collection and interpretation of data involving different parameters is essential for assessing the well-being of farm animals. The choice of parameters and the relative weights assigned to each of them are crucial for the outcome of the assessment. Both elements involve a certain degree of subjectivity. In this paper we discuss the basics of different methods used to integrate welfare parameters, focussing on the issue of scientific objectivity. We begin by addressing parameter selection, the assignment of parameter weightings or rankings and the qualifications necessary for ‘experts’ designing and applying the methodology. Five different approaches to integrating parameters are then discussed. The paper does not state a preference for any method, but aims to encourage discussion of key elements involved with the on-farm assessment of welfare.

Keywords

animal welfarefarm animalshusbandryparameter integrationwelfare assessmentwelfare index
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 12 , Issue 4: Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , November 2003 , pp. 529 - 534
Copyright
© 2003 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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