Welfare Science

Behavioural Needs Assessment in Animals

Identifying an animal's core behavioural needs - those whose frustration causes suffering - is fundamental to welfare science and requires species-specific research and observation.

Key Facts

The concept of behavioural needs distinguishes motivated behaviours from mere preferences
Frustration of behavioural needs causes negative affective states beyond mere boredom
Sows' rooting behaviour, laying hens' dust bathing, and rabbit burrowing are examples of needs
Motivation testing quantifies how hard animals work to access different resources
Need assessment informs minimum standards for housing and enrichment provision

Welfare Considerations

Identifying and meeting behavioural needs is central to positive animal welfare. Many current farming and husbandry systems fail to meet core behavioural needs of the animals they contain, with significant welfare consequences. Motivation research provides the evidence base for improvement.

What You Can Do

Learn about the behavioural needs of animals in your care
Advocate for husbandry systems that meet species-specific behavioural needs
Support research into animal behavioural motivation and need identification
Choose animal products from systems that demonstrably meet behavioural needs
Engage with animal welfare science education to understand need versus preference