Vol. 10, Special Issue 2 (2021)

Author(s):
Iftekar Rahaman, Rajarshi Samanta, CP Ghosh and S Datta

Abstract:
Animal welfare is growing importance from social, political, ethical and scientific viewpoints, but it is compulsory for the assessment of animal welfare that certain agreement on the meaning of animal welfare has been accepted. Thus, evaluation can be based on behavioral, physiological, psychopathological parameters or productive performances. The parameters should consider welfare assessment based on housing, environment, animal health, seasons, feed, management etc. Housing system is most critical indicators for welfare assessment where the floor type, type of bedding material, drainage and waste disposal system, level of the floor, space allocation, roof etc. effect on the health and production of the animals. BCS is a simple but useful procedure, which can help producers make management decisions regarding the quality and quantity of feed needed to optimize production and reproduction. The cattle cleanliness affects hygienic milk production, thermoregulation, health and production. Lameness is a much known problem in a production, reproduction and economic issues. Hock lesions are also closely correlated to lameness; they are associated with economic losses and impaired welfare. There should be precision welfare assessment protocol at the farm level. So by improving welfare of the farm animals we can increase productivity for better economic return and quality assured animal products to the consumers.