Welfare outcome auditing using animal-based indicators provides more meaningful assessment of poultry welfare than traditional input-based farm inspections.
Traditional farm welfare inspection focuses on inputs — does the farm have the required number of feeders, drinkers and perches? Animal-based outcome auditing asks instead: what is the actual welfare state of the animals? The two approaches often yield different conclusions. A farm with technically compliant equipment may have terrible foot pad dermatitis from wet litter. A farm with modest equipment may have excellent welfare outcomes through good management. Outcome-based auditing, using validated measures like foot pad scoring, gait scoring and mortality rates, provides a more honest welfare assessment. Incorporating outcome measures into certification and legal compliance would create more meaningful welfare accountability.