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Behaviour and Welfare of Farm Animals
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:22:10
Abstract
The welfare of farm animals is a major increasing concern to the public, as well as to stakeholders in the global agro-food system. Ethology is a key element of animal welfare sciences as it allows us to know what animals need. In this course we will discuss specifically the challenges faced by farm animals and the behavioural research used to address them.
Objective
Students will - Acquire and put in practice the knowledge and skills needed to understand and assess the behaviour and welfare of farm animals - Achieve an understanding and awareness of welfare challenges farm animals face - Be able to critically analyze and discuss published welfare research data - Be able to summarize and communicate scientific data
Content
The course will divide in 2 parts: A series of 12 lectures on the welfare challenges associated with the main phases of the husbandry of farm animals, from birth to slaughter, and some complementary topics that will enlarge knowledge and reflection of students on the topics: cognition and precision livestock farm The second part will consist of 5 practical days where the students will work on designing experiments, collecting, analysing and summarising behavioural data in the form or reports and oral presentations. Data collection will take place at Agro-Vet Strickhof. The final grade will be based on a written exam (50 %) and 2 reports and 1 oral presentation during the practical days (50%).
Resources
Lecture Notes
Power point presentations of the lecture will be provided.
Literature
Further literature and internet links will be mentioned during the lecture. A very useful book: Bateson, M., & Martin, P. (2021). Measuring Behaviour: An Introductory Guide (4th ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108776462
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise |
Behaviour and Welfare of Farm Animals
The course takes place during the whole semester on Monday 14-16 in LFW C4 (the lectures of 8th and 15th of May, the course will be extended to 18.00).
On five Fridays (5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, May and 2th June) the course takes place at Agro-Vet Strickhof for the data collection on animals (some dates might be conducted in LFW, the lecturer will inform in advance). An additonal date might be necessary (9th June).
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3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Non-Ruminant Science (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 22/23. As of the academic year 23/24, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
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Ruminant Science (This minor will only be offered in the academic year 22/23. As of the academic year 23/24, the minor can no longer be chosen. The course units offered in the minor can still be taken as electives.)
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Animal Sciences (This minor is new and in force from the academic year 22/23. The complete courselist for this minor will be published on the website of the Study Programme.)
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