Assessment of animal welfare through the animal needs index in Pelibuey sheep
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17352406Keywords:
animal welfare, sheep production systemAbstract
Introduction: Scientists, producers and consumers are increasingly concerned about animal welfare. The determination of the animal needs index can be a way to evaluate the welfare and health conditions of sheep. Aim: determine animal welfare based on the animal needs index. Method: a case study was carried out on two Pelibuey sheep producing farms, which represented 67 % of the farms in the province. Farm A with integration of agriculture and livestock and farm B with livestock. The Animal Needs Index was adapted to evaluate exogenous factors (Locomotion/social interaction, Floors, Environment and Management) and endogenous factors (physical, clinical signs and mortality). Results: the animal welfare index obtained was adequate for farm A (51.1 %) and quite adequate for Farm B (69.9 %). The score (25.0 %) was obtained in the floor of farm A and 58.3 % in farm B. The physical signs presented a higher value in farm B (40 %) and 31.8 % in farm A. Farm B presented a higher value in clinical signs (66.6 %) and 54.1 % on farm A. Conclusion: the main welfare problems were found in the lower scores for floors, management, physical condition and clinical signs. There is a need to carry out a clinical and zootechnical analysis to propose measures that lead to an increase in the animal needs index to improve the welfare and health of sheep.
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