A computer model for welfare assessment of poultry production systems for laying hens

Abstract

A computer model for welfare assessment in laying hens was constructed. This model, named FOWEL (fowl welfare), uses a description of the production system as input and produces a welfare score as output. To assess the welfare status a formalized procedure based on scientific knowledge is applied.In FOWEL the production system is described using 25 attributes (space per hen, beak trimming, free range, etc.), each with two or more levels, together defining the characteristics of a production system.A weighting factor is used for each attribute, based on the available scientific knowledge of the effects of the attribute levels on the welfare aspects. The welfare score of a production system results from the attribute levels combined with the weighting factors. The results show that feeding level, space per hen, perches, water availability and nests were the most important attributes. The attribute free range was of minor importance. FOWEL includes a description of 22 production systems. The welfare score of cage systems was low, of barn and aviary systems medium, and of organic systems high. The presence of a free range resulted only in a small improvement in the welfare score.

Citizens’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare and Related Information Provision: Exploratory Insights from Flanders, Belgium

“…Capdeville and Veissier (2001) further subdivided the Five Freedoms into sixteen discrete needs of dairy cows. Bracke et al (2002), de Mol et al (2006, and Ursinus et al (2009) also applied this concept of animal needs to obtain a welfare index for gestating sows (SOWEL), laying hens (FOWEL), and dairy cattle (COWEL). Other definitions vary from the utilitarian one provided by Peter Singer to Tom Regan's deontological interpretation (Regan and Singer 1989), from animal-based (e.g., Whay et al 2003) to environmentally-based approaches (e.g., animal needs index, Bartussek 1999), focus on affective states (e.g., Duncan 1996), natural living (e.g., Fraser 2008, to basic health and functioning (e.g., Broom 1986).…”

The influence of strain and age on some egg quality parameters of commercial laying hens

“…At a worldwide scale, there is an increasing interest in objective, mathematical evaluation of poultry welfare with regard to the unbiased comparison of physiological comfort of birds under different production systems (Huber-Eicher and Wechsler, 1997;Dawkins, 2003;De Mol et al, 2006;Linares and Martin, 2010).…”

A calibrated auction-conjoint valuation method: Valuing pork and eggs produced under differing animal welfare conditions

“…The key attributes and attribute-levels were chosen by selecting the key factors affecting hog and layer welfare identified in previous animal science research [3,11]. The attributes included issues like space, optional surgeries, flooring materials, etc.…”