Main description:

Animal welfare is attracting increasing interest worldwide, especially in developed countries where the knowledge and resources are available to (at least potentially) provide better management systems for farm animals, as well as companion, zoo and laboratory animals. The key requirements for adequate food, water, a suitable environment, appropriate companionship and good health are important for animals kept for all of these purposes. There has been increased attention given to farm animal welfare in many co- tries in recent years. This derives largely from the fact that the relentless pursuit of nancial reward and ef ciency, to satisfy market demands, has led to the devel- ment of intensive animal production systems that challenge the conscience of many consumers in those countries. In developing countries, human survival is still a daily uncertainty, so that p- vision for animal welfare has to be balanced against human needs. Animal welfare is usually a priority only if it supports the output of the animal, be it food, work, clothing, sport or companionship. In principle the welfare needs of both humans and animals can be provided for, in both developing and developed countries, if resources are properly husbanded. In reality, however, the inequitable division of the world's riches creates physical and psychological poverty for humans and a- mals alike in many parts of the world.

Contents:

Preface 1 Introduction; John and Margaret Cooper Section I Captive birds 2 Human-bird interactions; Pat Anderson 3 The welfare implications of housing captive wild and domesticated birds; Penny Hawkins 4 Training companion birds; Greg Glendell 5 The welfare of captive birds in the future; Simon Girling Section II Domestic fowl 6 The physical environment and its effects on welfare; Tina Widowski 7 Nutrition, feeding and drinking behaviour and welfare; John Savory 8 The impact of disease on poultry welfare; Andrew Butterworth and Claire Weeks 9 Managing poultry: human-bird interactions and their implications for poultry welfare; Paul Hemsworth and Grahame Coleman 10 The welfare and ethical assessment of housing for egg production; Chris Sherwin 11 Stunning and slaughter of domestic fowl; Mohan Raj 12 Some thoughts on the future of poultry welfare; Suzanne Millman, Joy Mench and Anne Malleau