In recent years there has been a huge rise in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in animal sciences which has accelerated improvements in animal welfare. Down to earth and practical, this book gives guidance on how cross-disciplinary research can advance animal welfare. The aim of the book is to help researchers and graduate animal science students to understand how to advance animal welfare through the integration of disciplines.

This book contains the proceedings of the 8th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at the Farm and Group Level, held August 16-19, 2021 in Cork, Ireland.

Advances in Pig Welfare, Second Edition continues its complete coverage of key areas of pig welfare assessment, management and improvement. The book covers both recent developments and reviews of historical welfare issues, with 12 new chapters addressing the most relevant and significant issues from a global perspective. Sections review the needs of pigs, including chapters on the physical environment and the social and emotional needs of the animals, key welfare issues in the pig's lifecycle from birth to slaughter, including weaning, aggression and pig-human interactions, and emerging topics such as prenatal stress, individual differences and organic farming. Final sections cover pig welfare and attitudes towards pig welfare amongst farmers and other stakeholders. Written by an international team of leaders in the field, the book continues to be a useful resource for practicing vets involved in welfare assessment, welfare research scientists and students, and indeed anyone with a professional interest in the welfare of pigs. - Provides the most recent research findings related to pig welfare - Includes factors that affect pig welfare, how to practically control these factors, and the impact that these factors have on animal health - New chapters include topics on affective states, economics, sow longevity, environmental enrichment, climate change, farmer perspectives and precision livestock technologie

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the issue of tail biting in pigs, one of the most significant welfare and economic problems in the pig industry. With contributions from renowned experts in their fields, it is an essential resource for both scientists, and industry stakeholders. Key topics include the evolutionary roots of the disorder, internal and external risk factors, methods that can be used to address the issue, including human behavioural change, and the wider economic, and ethical considerations. Finally, evidence is provided as to how an intact tail can be used as an ice-berg indicator for overall pig welfare.

Zoo Animal Welfare thoroughly reviews the scientific literature on the welfare of zoo and aquarium animals. Maple and Perdue draw from the senior author’s 24 years of experience as a zoo executive and international leader in the field of zoo biology. The authors’ academic training in the interdisciplinary field of psychobiology provides a unique perspective for evaluating the ethics, practices, and standards of modern zoos and aquariums. The book offers a blueprint for the implementation of welfare measures and an objective rationale for their widespread use. Recognizing the great potential of zoos, the authors have written an inspirational book to guide the strategic vision of superior, welfare-oriented institutions. The authors speak directly to caretakers working on the front lines of zoo management, and to the decision-makers responsible for elevating the priority of animal welfare in their respective zoo. In great detail, Maple and Perdue demonstrate how zoos and aquariums can be designed to achieve optimal standards of welfare and wellness.

In many people's eyes, the ability for animals to be able to behave 'naturally' is essential for their welfare. However, animals do not necessarily want to do behaviour just because it is 'natural' or is seen in wild animals. Being chased by a predator is not necessarily good for welfare. Natural behaviour is important because it gives us a baseline for what animals might want to do but it cannot define good welfare on its own. It has to be validated in exactly the same way as other behavioural correlates of welfare, as either contributing to health or being what the animals want to do.