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Posts Tagged ‘animal agriculture’

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Mar
09
2011

Mother hen

Hens with chicks are well known to be protective and caring of their offspring.  Not only are hens concerned for their chicks’ safety and well-being,  but they feel empathy,  described by scientists as “the ability to be affected by, and share, the emotional state of another”.  Scientists at the University of Bristol, UK, exposed mother hens and their chicks to puffs of air.  When the air puff was directed at the hens, they reacted with signs of fear, becoming more alert and preening less, and their eye temperature decreased. When their chicks were exposed to the puffs of air, the hens showed all these signs but in addition, their heart rate increased and they made more clucking calls to their chicks - strong signs of their concern.     

Mother hens feel empathy for their chicks

Mother hens feel empathy for their chicks

Researcher Jo Edgar said: “We found that adult female birds possess at least one of the essential underpinning attributes of ‘empathy’; the ability to be affected by, and share, the emotional state of another.”

The researchers used chickens for this study because in commercial farming, as they pointed out, “chickens will regularly encounter other chickens showing signs of pain or distress due to routine husbandry practices or because of the high levels of conditions such as bone fractures or leg disorders.”

Scientists have also found that hens can anticipate future events based on previous experience, and make judgements accordingly; they have over 30 different calls for clear communication with each other; and chicks can count!  But these abilities and the sentience of hens and chickens are sadly disregarded in commercial farming conditions. Today’s study on hens and empathy gives yet more weight to the urgent need for more humane farming systems, in which animals can carry out their natural behaviours. Animals are sentient beings, and  what happens to them, matters to them.

For information about farm animal welfare and how you can help end factory farming,  please visit Compassion in World Farming.

Sources: 
The foundations of empathy are found in the chicken. University of Bristol press release, issued 9 March 2011. http://bristol.ac.uk/news/2011/7525.html

‘Avian maternal response to chick distress’, J L Edgar, J C Lowe, E S Paul, C J Nicol, published online ahead of print Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 9 March 2011

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Posted in Chickens & hens, Emotions, Maternal care, sentience | No Comments »

May
11
2010

A spring in their step

The signs are that dairy cows really enjoy being let out of their shed after a long confinement during winter weather. Our clip shows them enjoying their taste of freedom!

We have quoted broadcaster and farmer John Humphrys before but his remark is well worth repeating because this clip shows you exactly what he’s talking about:
“They tear about the field, kicking their legs into the air …For six months they have lived in sheds, slept in stalls, stood on concrete. Now, once again, they have the grass beneath their feet. They seem, quite literally, to be full of the joy of spring. It lifts the spirits to watch them.”

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Posted in Cattle, Emotions | No Comments »

Dec
08
2009

Fish have feelings too

Amazing fish

Fishcount.org.uk is an engaging new website created to increase awareness of the plight of fish caught for food, and to promote workable solutions for the future.

It is estimated that approximately 1-3 trillion fish are caught every year. The methods used in most fishing ventures have the potential to cause profound distress to fish and therefore more humane alternatives are proposed.

Fish farming is on the increase. Given that conditions for farmed fish too often cause suffering, it is essential that such systems are designed to pay full regard to the welfare of fish.

 

The evidence for fish sentience draws on wide and varied sources, from scientific studies to a really interesting film of Comet the goldfish (see clip below) who has learned to perform tricks. He can play football, fetch hoops just like a dog, swim through a tunnel or a slalom…the list goes on!

We are given a deep insight into the experience of caught fish and shown the welfare shortfalls in modern fishing techniques. These include rapid and damaging decompression when pulled in trawl nets from deep in the sea, which often results in the rupture of internal organs; being left to suffocate on ice until they die; and in the case of long line fishing they sometimes hang for days before they are ‘landed’, condemning them to a slow death and vulnerable to attack by predators. We can see how much distress these experiences could cause to a sentient being.

Some people have traditionally thought that fish do not suffer pain and distress in that the same way as land-based animals and humans. But increasingly, science now suggests that this is not the case, and that fish and indeed other underwater creatures such as crabs have the potential for pain and emotional experiences, just as we do. This clearly has enormous implications for the treatment of the fish that are caught for our tables. Fishing techniques to date have only focused on speed and quantity of catching , and have not considered the suffering of those creatures  who are caught.

Fish farming is on the increase. Given that conditions for farmed fish too often cause suffering, it is essential that such systems are designed to pay full regard to the welfare of fish. Fish are amazing animals with intrinsic value, and with our  increasing understanding of their sentience, change is urgently needed.

Visit www.fishcount.org.uk

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Posted in Fish | 2 Comments »

Nov
12
2009

Mirror Image

Mirror Image. Copyright Compassion/Elli Goodlet

Mirror Image. Copyright Compassion/Elli Goodlet

A recent test found that pigs understand mirrors, and can learn where a food bowl is through looking at the reflection. One group of pigs had time to get used to the mirror before they were tested, and another group were only shown a mirror at the beginning of the test. A hidden food bowl was then shown to them in the mirror. The food bowl was empty – so the pigs would not be relying on their sense of smell to locate it.
All but one of the pigs who were familiar with the mirror found the food bowl in less than 23 seconds – whereas the pigs who were new to it looked behind the mirror for the bowl.

Again, we see the amazing capacities of animals to work out their environment and shows the importance of using only high welfare farming systems as pigs easily become bored and frustrated in barren factory farms. At a minimum, all pigs should have access to bedding materials that let them root and explore like their wild ancestors.

Source:
Broom, D. M., Sena, H., Moynihan, K. L. (2009)
Pigs learn what a mirror image represents and use it to obtain information.
Animal Behaviour, Article in Press

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Posted in Farm Animals, Intelligence, Pigs | No Comments »

Nov
11
2009

Social lives of sheep

sheep-blog-0512

Sticking with you. Copyright Compassion/Elli Goodlet

Hundreds of sheep have been given refuge at Farm Animal Sanctuary. Over time, they have divided naturally into two large flocks of around 200. All the sheep spend winter living together in large barns and yet in Spring, year after year, they will choose to re-group into almost exactly the same flocks as before.

Cambridge scientist Keith Kendrick found that sheep can remember at least 50 different faces for over 2 years.

These observations show the strength of sheep social bonds and the importance of respecting these relationships in modern farming systems. Sheep are often separated from their usual companions during transport, at transit points and at slaughter. Compassion believes that full account of animal sentience must be taken throughout an animal’s life.

Sources:

The Farm Animal Sanctuary, Evesham, UK.

Kendrick, K. et al. (2001) Sheep don’t forget a face. Nature, 414 (6860): 165-6.

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Posted in Farm Animals, Sheep | No Comments »

Jul
30
2009

Chimps and cows can be music critics too

Sakura, a baby chimpanzee, is showing that chimps prefer melodic music. During a research trial to see which kind of music Sakura would chose, she preferred to listen to a pleasant melody than to discordant musical chords.

This is Santino, another clever chimp. See his story at http://www.livesofanimals.org/2009/03/santino-rocks/

Santino, another clever chimp, who's at www.livesofanimals.org/2009/03/santino-rocks/

This shows us more fascinating evidence about the sentience of chimps. In this case, Sakura is in a human-designed, captive environment, which may be somewhat enriched, but which is still unnatural for a chimp. The fact that Sakura works out what to do in these circumstances tells us even more about chimp awareness and understanding. These abilities are strong indicators of animal sentience.

Sakura is not alone in preferring sweet music. Back in 2001, there was research investigating how cows reacted to fast beats or to softer music. The researchers said: “We found that slow music improved milk yields perhaps because it relaxes the cows in much the same way as it relaxes humans.”

Despite increasing awareness of animal sentience, there is still resistance to appreciating or acknowledging that animals are sentient beings and there is reluctance to peer over the barrier of “human vs other animals” that we ourselves have created.

Cows enjoy soothing sounds. Photo (c) Compassion in World Farming/Karen Playford

Cows enjoy soothing sounds. Photo (c) Compassion in World Farming/Karen Playford

It was previously thought that this kind of choice and preference about music was a “uniquely human trait.” So we see that Sakura and the dairy cows have overcome yet another barrier!

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Posted in Cattle, Chimps, Music | No Comments »

Jul
03
2009

Pigs outwit computers

Some pig breeding farms use computerised feeders for the pregnant sows. Each sow is fitted with an electronic collar which triggers the release of each sow’s meal individually. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some pigs reject the collars and will get them off. Other clever pigs have learnt that picking up the collar and taking it through the computerised feeding area means that they get another meal.

The farmer of course needs to replace the collars of the sows who discarded theirs, otherwise those sows will not get any food.

A TV series called ‘Clever Critters’ filmed some of these sows and you can see them here:

The clip says the sows are only fed one meal per day. The farmer does provide straw, a really important basic enrichment for pigs. But these clever animals may be hungry and they also will look for interesting activities to fill their days of pregnancy. It is admirable how they use their wits to beat the system!

Pigs are intelligent and curious and need an interesting environment

Pigs are intelligent and curious and need an interesting environment. Image (c) Compassion in World Farming/Martin Usborne

“A cat looks down on man, a dog looks up to man,
but a pig will look man right in the eye and see his equal.” 
Winston Churchill

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Posted in Farm Animals, Intelligence, Pigs, tool use | 1 Comment »

May
01
2009

Better conditions for pigs

It is well known that pigs are intelligent and curious.  In nature, sows make a secure nest for their piglets and there are strong bonds between mother and young.

Recent research with pigs found that they have “episodic-like memory” – a particular kind of memory which indicates highly developed mental abilities.

Despite our knowledge of their sentience, the majority of the world’s pigs are kept in factory farms. And if the animal welfare reasons are not enough to end factory farming, swine flu may give us another reason. Cramped, stressed animals in filthy conditions provide the ideal breeding ground for bugs. (The link takes you to a short clip on CNN News with disease expert Dr Michael Greger).

A better quality of life. Image: Compassion/Martin Usborne

A better quality of life. Image: Compassion/Martin Usborne

High welfare, free range or preferably organic systems can provide a much better life for pigs. Let’s give them space, fresh air and a life worth living.

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Posted in Memory, Pigs | 1 Comment »

Apr
17
2009

Films: Farm Animals and Us

Compassion in World Farming’s film, Farm Animals and Us 2, is every bit as captivating as the wildlife documentaries that are so familiar on TV.

It takes an illuminating look at the sentient animals in today’s farms. Watching wild boar and junglefowl, who are the ancestors of today’s farmed pigs, chickens and hens, we see that our ”modern” farm animals still have many of the behaviour patterns of their wild cousins.

Perhaps the maternal drive is the strongest natural feeling. Image: Compassion in World Farming/Karen Playford

Perhaps the maternal drive is the strongest natural feeling. Image: Compassion in World Farming/Karen Playford

 Modern factory farms are very far from nature. A hen in a barren battery cage cannot even spread her wings, let alone carry out other natural behaviours that are so important for her physical and psychological well-being.

Piglets in a crowded and barren concrete pen have little chance to enjoy their young lives and in boredom, may turn to biting the tails of  their fellow piglets – a sad cycle of distress. Their mothers may be kept in sow stalls and farrowing crates. These are effectively cages, so narrow that the sows can’t even turn around.

The scale of industrial animal farming also takes a heavy toll on the environment, the world’s water and its cereal crops. Excessive consumption of meat and dairy can harm human health.

If we have fewer farm animals in better conditions, there are big advantages for the animals, people and the planet.

Farm animals are sentient beings who have feelings that matter to them, and given the right conditions, they can enjoy their share of life’s pleasures.

In higher welfare conditions, farm animals can enjoy their share of life's pleasures

In higher welfare conditions, farm animals can enjoy their share of life's pleasures

Standard documentaries about wild animals under threat often do not tell us what we can do help. While modern commercial breeds of farmed animals are not at risk of extinction, their welfare arguably is!

Farm Animals and Us 2 informs us about what we can do to help protect their welfare. Well-managed free range and organic farms can offer a much better chance for a quality of life. We can choose to consume less meat and milk, and choose only animal products from higher welfare systems.

The film is suitable for general interested viewers and is widely used in schools and colleges for students of 14+ . You can watch the film on YouTube, in three parts of 10 minutes each, or please contact us for the DVD.

Here are links to the film:
Part One – Pigs and the natural behaviour of wild boar; intensive pig farming; free-range alternatives.
Part Two -  Hens and chickens and the natural behaviour of jungle fowl;  intensive egg production; free-range alternatives; intensive meat chicken (’broiler’) production. 
Part Three – Animal sentience; feeding the world; economics and sustainability.

For youngsters, Compassion offers the film Farm Animals and Us, also in three parts on YouTube or again, contact us for the DVD.

Farm Animals and Us 1
Part One -     What we know about the sentience of our farm animals
Part Two -     How intensive farming developed; farming of meat chickens (’broilers’).
Part Three - Food chains and energy; choices we make about the meat and dairy we buy.

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Posted in Farm Animals, Films | No Comments »

Apr
01
2009

The amazing story of Floss

Floss was separated from her calf and sold at a market, but it seems she had other plans. She escaped from the new farm, eventually fetching up 60 miles away.  Cows form a strong bond with their calves and she may have taken off to look for her calf.

Floss then spent the next nine months fending for herself. She hid during the day and looked for food at night, searching rubbish dumps and finding occasional hay supplies.

It is reported that she did not have an easy time as joyriders and others tried to run her down and shot at her.

Two local women began to help Floss. She was taken food and they raised £500 GBP to buy her from the farmer and took her to Hillside, an animal sanctuary.

One of her rescuers said: “Floss trotted off the back of the trailer and it was the most wonderful thing. She really deserves it. For an animal to look after herself all that time she deserves this life.”

The strong bonds between cows and calves. Image: Compassion/Martin Usborne

Cows and their calves form strong family bonds. Image: Compassion/Martin Usborne

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Posted in Cattle, Emotions, Family bonds | No Comments »

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