Problem
Animal stress in factory farming
Other Names:
Overcrowding of housed farm animalsInadequate lighting in factory farming units
Nature:
Due to the closely confined conditions of factory farming units, some animals die of stress from overcrowding. Productivity under stress tends to be less. Cannibalism increases in overcrowded conditions, particularly with hens.
Incidence:
According to behaviour studies, the optimum space allowance per hen is 750 sq cm. This is often not reached: average allowance in practice is 450 - 550 sq cm. Hens are often crowded together 4 or 5 to a cage, though 3 hens kept in a 4-hen cage produced 35 extra eggs each per laying season. A pronounced drop in efficiency has been noted among pigs kept under extreme conditions of intensive farming. Debeaking and dim lighting are used to check cannibalism among chickens in overcrowded pens, but not always with success.
Broader Problems:
Animal stressUnsanitary and inhumane food animal conditions Narrower Problems:
Fish stress Aggravates:
Animal deathsCruelty to animals in factory farmingDysfunctional behaviour in captive animalsInferior meat quality from intensive animal farming units Strategies:
Relieving animal stress in factory farmingImproving lighting in factory farming unitsImproving housing and penning of domestic animalsManaging housed farm animals References:
Archer, John: Animals under Stress Subject(s):
Agriculture, Fisheries → FarmingAmenities → Housing, tenants
Industry → Utilities
Psychology → Stress
Research, Standards → Measurement
Societal Problems → Inadequacy
Society → Disadvantaged
Zoology → Animals
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST