Assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants.

TY - CHAP

T1 - Assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants.

AU - Battini, Monica

AU - M Dwyer, Cathy

AU - Webb, Laura

AU - Jensen, Margit Bak

AU - Mattiello, Silvana

PY - 2025/1/1

Y1 - 2025/1/1

N2 - Positive animal welfare is an emerging concept that is gaining interest compared to the traditional notion of animal welfare. The latter has historically emphasized the minimization of distress and suffering while giving little consideration to the potential for experiences of positive and pleasant states, such as joy and contentment. The assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants is still in the early stages and empirical validation of positive indicators necessitates rigorous testing to avoid circular reasoning, starting with identifying preferred environments and valued situations through preference and motivation tests. While some promising indicators have been developed, particularly for sheep, the validation processes for most of these indicators are still ongoing. The inter-and intraobserver reliability of these indicators has rarely been studied on-farm, and feasibility remains a challenge, especially under extensive farming conditions. Promising indicators identified so far include vocalizations, facial expressions, and play behavior.

AB - Positive animal welfare is an emerging concept that is gaining interest compared to the traditional notion of animal welfare. The latter has historically emphasized the minimization of distress and suffering while giving little consideration to the potential for experiences of positive and pleasant states, such as joy and contentment. The assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants is still in the early stages and empirical validation of positive indicators necessitates rigorous testing to avoid circular reasoning, starting with identifying preferred environments and valued situations through preference and motivation tests. While some promising indicators have been developed, particularly for sheep, the validation processes for most of these indicators are still ongoing. The inter-and intraobserver reliability of these indicators has rarely been studied on-farm, and feasibility remains a challenge, especially under extensive farming conditions. Promising indicators identified so far include vocalizations, facial expressions, and play behavior.

KW - Sheep

KW - affective states

KW - animal-based indicators

KW - emotions

KW - goats

KW - liveability

KW - positive animal welfare

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105019725154

U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-443-22201-6.00005-0

DO - 10.1016/B978-0-443-22201-6.00005-0

M3 - Book chapter

SN - 9780443222009

SP - 123

EP - 148

BT - Small Ruminant Welfare, Production and Sustainability.

PB - Academic Press

ER -