Farmed Animals

Positive Welfare Indicators in Livestock

Beyond the absence of suffering, positive welfare science identifies indicators of good mental and physical states in farm animals.

Key Facts

Positive welfare includes states like play, exploration, and positive anticipation
The Five Domains model includes positive mental state as a key welfare dimension
Play behaviour is an indicator of positive welfare in cattle, pigs, and sheep
Approach behaviour towards humans is an indicator of positive human-animal relationship
Welfare QM and Welfare Quality protocols include positive welfare indicators

Welfare Considerations

Positive welfare science goes beyond minimising suffering to actively promoting good experiences in farm animals. Animals displaying play behaviour, showing curiosity, and engaging positively with their environment demonstrate elements of good welfare. Farm assurance schemes increasingly include positive welfare indicators alongside measures of disease and injury.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that include positive welfare assessment
Advocate for training in positive welfare recognition for farmers
Choose assured products that include positive welfare requirements
Support research into positive welfare indicators across species
Raise awareness that good welfare is more than the absence of suffering