Document type: News item, monthly feature from the Chaire Bien-Être Animal of VetAgro Sup
Authors : Lydiane Aubé, Marion Weisslinger
Preview: Grazing animals are necessarily happy, TRUE or FALSE?
FALSE: although the welfare of animals is generally better on pasture, it may not necessarily be ideal
Lydiane Aubé, postdoctoral fellow at the Chaire Bien-Être Animal looks at the answer:
Grazing, i.e. access to a grassy area, is generally perceived by the wider public as being better from an animal-welfare point of view since it gives the animals more freedom of movement. Indeed, grazing provides animals with an environment that is considered natural and greater greater opportunity to express species-specific behaviors compared to indoor housing.
That said, the advantages to be gained from pasture-based rearing depend on the type of outdoor access that is offered and on environmental conditions. Indeed, whether in a building or on pasture, an animal's welfare depends in part on the conditions provided to it (available space, sleeping comfort, access to food and water, ambient temperature, etc.). Consequently, there may be cases where animals housed indoors enjoy a better level of welfare than animals on pasture, and vice versa. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that welfare depends on the individual perceptions of each animal and that an assessment must be carried out in each situation to be sure that welfare needs are respected.
It is, however, reasonable to assume, as we will see, that an optimal state of welfare is easier to achieve on pasture than in a building, provided that the conditions to achieve it are properly respected.
