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Is there a system that is
superior?
No system is more or less humane than another. Each
producer needs to select a system
that meets his or
her needs, including capital requirements, value
of the
land for crop production, need for year-round production
(income) and continuously or seasonally available labor.
Producers may adopt different production systems for
different stages of production. For example, confinement
could be used for farrowing/lactation and any system for the
other stages.
How do the production
systems compare in regards to welfare of the animals?
Producers work to provide for creature comforts in all
production systems. Farrowing sows outdoors in snow
is inhumane, but so is farrowing sows in facilities with
high odor levels or in barns that are too warm or too
cold. Efforts are made to ensure
optimum animal care in all systems.
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Animal rights groups
contend that animals raised outdoors are healthier and
“happier.” What does research say?
Research is supportive of a variety
of different
production systems. Every environment and every
housing system has its challenges, and there are multiple
factors to consider. The most important factor is the
management of the animals, through the husbandry care and
skill sets and animal-caretaker interactions.
For instance, putting pigs outside on pasture in northern
America when it's very cold could be very detrimental to
their health and welfare if they were
not provided proper shelter. Animals standing in mud or
where there are too many sharp stones could result in
increased foot and lameness problems.
Some people assume
barns by their very nature are “bad.” Are they?
There are positives and negatives for all kinds of
systems and environments. With indoor production,
producers can control their animals' environment.
For example, animals easily can be fed their correct
ration each day. |
