Water and the Welfare of Farm Animals
Résumé
Provision of adequate water supplies is essential for the welfare of farmanimals. Water forms the largest component of an animal's body and is an essentialnutrient required for all biological functions, including temperature regulation, digestion, foetal development, and production. This essential nutrient can only be restricted for short periods of time. Water deprivation results in substantial welfare concerns, as it can hinder biological functioning, and has been associated withmorbidity and, in cases of extreme deprivation, mortality. It is likely associatedwith a highly negative emotional state in farm animals (e.g. in humans referred to asthirst). Both quality and quantity of water may limit water intake, and management factors such as high stocking density at the water source can also negatively affect water intake. Providing examples from the primary production species, cattle, pigs, and poultry, we describe the importance of water quality and quantity in foodanimal production.
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Birte-Nutrition and the welfare or farm animals chapitre 9-15.06.2016_1.pdf (1.67 Mo)
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