Genetic improvements for production and animal welfare

Pascal A. Oltenacu

Genetic improvements for production and animal welfare

In: Welfare of production animals: assessment and management of risks

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Pascal A. Oltenacu

Pascal A. Oltenacu Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74074, USA; toni.oltenacu@okstate.edu

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 417–441

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086866908_021

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As a result of selective breeding and intensification of the production, in many developed countries the production of farm animals has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. Milk production per cow has more than doubled and cows producing more than 20,000 kg of milk per lactation are now the norm. The increase in production has been accompanied by declining fertility, increasing incidence of health problems, and declining longevity in modern dairy cows. In broilers, due to increased growth rate and improved feed efficiency brought about by selection in the last 40 years, the time required to produce a 1,815 g broiler has decreased from 101 days to 32 days with a threefold decrease in the amount of feed consumed. Fast early growth rate was linked with increased mortality, high susceptibility to metabolic disorders and low locomotor activity. In egg layers, the production increased from 116 eggs per hen per year in 1930 to more than 300 eggs nowadays but this increase has not been without consequences, especially for the animals that are now more at risk for behavioural, physiological, and immunological disorders. The pig breeding programs resulted in high growth rate, high lean meat percent, increased feed efficiency and piglet production and these changes were associated with increased aggressiveness, leg weakness and susceptibility to stress.

Genetic selection for increased production is more and more viewed as increasing profit at the expense of reducing animal welfare. Sustainable breeding goals aimed at improving welfare in all farm animals should be developed and implemented. The welfare problems should be addressed before there is widespread condemnation of breeding and management practices.

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Welfare of production animals: assessment and management of risks

Series: ECVPH Food safety assurance, Volume: 5

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086866908

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 30 Oct 2009

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- Life Sciences

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Genetic improvements for production and animal welfare

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Welfare of production animals: assessment and management of risks

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