Since the emergence and subsequent approval of Issue 2 in Ohio last year, farm animal welfare has taken on heightened visibility, both in agriculture and veterinary medicine. With the likely appearance of another animal housing-related ballot issue this November, food animal housing systems will likely remain a point of discussion and debate.
Recognizing that all veterinarians and not just those in food animal medicine will be called upon to weigh in with their opinion on the pros, cons and alternatives within livestock production agriculture, the OVMA has gathered the following reading materials. These publications, which offer different perspectives from around the world, will help you better understand these important issues.
(Note: You will need to download Adobe Reader to view the PDFs.)
Laying Hen Housing
- Welfare Implications of Laying Hen Housing (AVMA, 2010)
- The European Union Ban on Conventional Cages for Laying Hens: History and Prospects (Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 2003)
- Alternatives To The Barren Battery Cage For The Housing Of Laying Hens In The European Union (Compassion in World Farming, 2007)
- The Welfare of Hens in Free Range Systems (DEFRA, 2001)
- Welfare Implications of Changes in Production Systems for Laying Hens (European Commission, 2006)
- United Egg Producers Animal Husbandry Guidelines For U.S. Egg Laying Flocks (United Egg Producers, 2008)
- Modification of Laying Hen Cages to Improve Behavior (Institute of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Edinburgh, 1998)
- Health and Production in Improved Cage Designs (Swedish University of Agricultural Science, 1998)
- Video: Egg industry relies on facts, science (Feedstuffs, 2010)
Sow Housing
- Animal Agriculture and the Welfare of Animals (JAVMA, 2005)
- Welfare Challenges in Sow Housing (JAVMA, 2005)
- Sow Housing: Opportunities, Constraints, and Unknowns (JAVMA, 2005)
- Experiences with Alternative Methods of Sow Housing (JAVMA, 2005)
- Hoop Barn Swine Production (Iowa State University)
- The Welfare of Gestating Sows In Conventional Stalls and Large Groups on Deep Litter (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2007)
- My Responsibilities as a Swine Caregiver (JAVMA, 2005)
- Performance of Gestating Sows in Bedded Hoop Barns and Confinement Stalls (Journal of Animal Science, 2007)
- Sow Housing: Science, Behavior, and Values (JAVMA, 2005)
- A Comprehensive Review of Housing for Pregnant Sows (JAVMA, 2005)
Tail Docking
- Welfare Implications of Dairy Cow Tail Docking (AVMA, 2010)
- Tail Docking Dairy Cattle (Animal Welfare Institute)
- Behavioral and Physiological Indicators of Sensitivity or Chronic Pain Following Tail Docking (Journal of Dairy Science, 2006)
- Tail Docking – Should You? (Northeast Dairy Business, 2006)
- Evaluation of the Scientific Justification for Tail Docking in Dairy Cattle (JAVMA, 2002)
- Tail Docking Dairy Cattle: Effects on Cow Cleanliness and Udder Health (Journal of Dairy Science, 2001)
General Perspectives
- Veterinary Ethics and Production Diseases (Colorado State University, 2009)
- A Survey to Determine Public Opinion About the Ethics and Governance of Farm Animal Welfare (JAVMA, 2008)
- Principles of Animal Care and Use (OVMA)
OVMA Animal Housing Issues Symposium: The Confluence of Science, Societal Values and Animal Well-Being
Click below to download presentations from the June 2010 symposium:
- Ethics & Politics: U.S. Farm Animal Welfare Regulation (Croney, 2010)
- Sow Housing (Gonyou, 2010)
- Veal Housing & Cattle Tail Docking (Reynolds, 2010)
- Laying Hen Welfare (Swanson, 2010)
If you are interested in purchasing a recording of this symposium, please contact the OVMA office. CDs are $10 each.
