The gut microbiome influences mood, immune function, and stress responses in animals, creating new connections between husbandry and welfare outcomes.
Microbiome research is revealing that conventional farming practices that appear unrelated to welfare, such as antibiotic treatment and separation of neonates from mothers, have downstream effects on brain function and emotional states. Animals with disrupted microbiomes show altered stress responses and may experience higher baseline anxiety. Husbandry practices that support microbiome diversity, including colostrum access, social housing, and reduced antibiotic use, now have welfare benefits extending beyond the immediately visible.