Most of the world farm animals are kept by smallholder farmers in low-income countries. Understanding welfare challenges and opportunities in these systems is essential for global welfare improvement.
Smallholder livestock welfare presents different challenges and opportunities from intensive commercial systems. Animals often have more natural behaviour opportunity but face greater disease burden through lack of veterinary access and seasonal feed scarcity. Working equids used for draught carry particularly severe welfare burdens. Improving smallholder livestock welfare requires context-appropriate interventions including community animal health workers, breed-appropriate management advice, and support for feed security during drought periods.