Advances in Sheep Welfare

Advances in Sheep Welfare examines the recent advances made in sheep welfare assessment, handling and management, providing state-of-the-art coverage of the welfare needs of one of the world’s most widely farmed animals.

The book begins with an introduction to sheep welfare in Part One, with chapters covering biology and natural behavior, sheep production systems, and consumer and societal expectations for sheep products. Part Two goes on to highlight new advances in sheep welfare assessment, before Part Three outlines a wide range of solutions to sheep welfare challenges. The final section looks ahead to the future, considering what sheep welfare will look like in 2030 and beyond.

This book is an essential part of the wider ranging series Advances in Farm Animal Welfare, with coverage of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.

With its expert editors and international team of contributors, Advances in Sheep Welfare is a key reference tool for welfare research scientists and students, veterinarians involved in welfare assessment, and indeed anyone with a professional interest in the welfare of sheep.

Brings together top researchers in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the understanding of sheep welfare and managementPresents part of a wider series, Advances in Agricultural Animal Welfare, which provides comprehensive coverage of animal welfare of the world’s major farmed animalsHighlights current advances and looks ahead to how sheep welfare management will develop in the next ten to fifteen years

Part One: Introduction to Sheep Welfare 1. Advances in understanding in the biology and natural behavior of sheep 2. Overview of sheep production systems 3. Consumer and societal expectations for sheep products (meat and wool) Part Two: New advances in sheep welfare assessment 4. New developments in our understanding of sheep cognition and emotional states 5. New physiological measures that indicate the biological cost of the challenge Part Three: Current and future solutions to sheep welfare challenges 6. Genetic solutions 7. Reproductive management 8. Nutritional management 9. Predation control 10. Managing disease risks 11. Painful husbandry procedures 12. Transport and pre-slaughter management 13. Advanced livestock management solutions 14. Optimized welfare for sheep in research and teaching Part Four: Sheep welfare beyond 2020 15. Future welfare challenges and potential for predicting and proactively managing emerging problems