Improving animal welfare: qualitative and quantitative methodology in the study of farmers’ attitudes

Abstract

The welfare of production animals provokes wide social discussion among the public, yet, despite this, farmers’ voices and their representations of animal welfare are rarely heard, even though farmers are the ones actually able to improve animal welfare. Farmers’ perceptions of what constitutes animal welfare and how it may be improved can differ from those of consumers and other stakeholders, and therefore it is crucial to understand what farmers mean when they talk about improving animal welfare. To chart farmers’ perceptions, we conducted qualitative interviews and a questionnaire study using the theory of planned behaviour as a conceptual framework. We found that the farmers perceived the improvement of animal welfare as four specific, practical attitude objects (providing animals with a favourable environment; taking care of animal health; treating the animals humanely; and taking care of the farmer's own well-being) and two different but often overlapping general attitudinal dimensions (the instrumental and intrinsic evaluations of animal welfare). The farmers’ intentions to improve animal welfare were best explained by their attitudes towards the specific welfare-improving actions. The concept of the improvement of animal welfare examined in this study outlines measures to improve animal welfare from the farmers’ point of view and discusses their influence. Our study demonstrates that by adapting a valid conceptual framework and applying relevant qualitative and quantitative methods that support each other, we are able to elucidate the underlying meanings and values in farmers’ views on improving animal welfare.

Farming women, distress and drought: Intra‐actions and entanglements with matter

“…This highlights the recognition by women of animal suffering and the reconfiguration of the self as distressed because of reduced autonomy to care for sheep. Australian farmers' perceptions of the welfare of livestock are similar to those held by farmers in Europe (e.g., Bock & van Huik, 2007;Kauppinen et al, 2008) and Canada (Spooner et al, 2012). The most important cited animal welfare provision is 'freedom from thirst.…”

Canadian dairy farmer views about animal welfare

“…Skarstad et al 2007 ; Balzani & Hanlon 2020 ). Reasons given for this approach are likely explained, at least in part, because it is a pragmatic one: it strongly emphasises factors that are valued when seeking maximum production (and arguably economic return) (Te Velde et al 2002 ; Lassen et al 2006 ; Verbeke 2009 ; Kauppinen et al 2010 ; Silva et al 2013 ).…”

Perception of laying hen farmers, poultry veterinarians, and poultry experts regarding sensor-based continuous monitoring of laying hen health and welfare

“…The majority of laying hen farmers focused on the use of feed intake and water intake and showed high confidence in detecting health and welfare deviations based on these parameters. Livestock farmers consistently perceive welfare as the minimization of health issues ( Kauppinen et al, 2010 ). Positive animal welfare is often linked to adequate resource provision, such as good feed and water ( Vigors and Lawrence, 2019 ).…”