Contributions FAI has Towards Animal Welfare

By Erica Chamney

How did FAI Come About?Food animal producers formed FAI in 1989Farm is located in Wytham, OxforshireResearches alternative livestock operations

Animal welfareThe environmentHuman healthEconomical concerns

FAI ObjectivesTo develop sustainable farm systems that

provide discernable benefits to animal welfare, the environment and human health.

To demonstrate the success of these systems through practical and commercial application.

To breed animals that are fit for their environment.

To supply knowledge to commercial farmers and other interested parties.

FAI BackgroundCurrently made up of 5 DirectorsVarious sources of income

Oxford UniversitySponsors (McDonalds and TESCO)Organic Grassland managed by UTTESASCSLive animal markets

Other breeders or farmer Packers/ Processors

FAI Background (cont)

Farm has 1050 acres 250 used for pastureRest is organic grassland

FAI Background (cont)Food Animal Species located at Wytham

Farm20, 000 free-range table birds2,000 laying hensFlock of 1,000 sheepCow herd of 120500 turkeysDevelopmental pig unit

The Cow HerdSaler X Saler suckler cows

Sell to other breedersFinish for beef production

How has FAI impacted the cattle industry?

Main use of antibiotics in cattle is for respiratory diseasesLoss of performance and death loss still likely

FAI ResolutionImplemented animal welfare practicesFocused on dairy cattle

The Sow HerdUses “traditional” breedsIncorporates Gloucester breed for pork

qualitySows kept in natural environments with 5

sows to a pen Piglets are do NOT have their teeth clipped

or their tails dockedFed a combination of forage and grainChange in consumer demand

Some Facts on SwineMales have a higher risk of tainted meatPigs kept in unsanitary conditions run a risk

of tainted meatWallowing in their own faeces and urineSkatole in faeces causes tainted pork

How has FAI impacted the swine industry?

The FAI responded to this issueBy selecting breeds for quality porkPigs are kept in spacious pens that allow them

to feed, wallow, defaecate/urinate, an sleep in separate areas

The pigs are late weaned (after 6 months)Moved with family groups occasionally to

prepare for transportationChanges in diet are avoided

PoultryBoth chickens and turkeys roam in natural

environments1 cockerel to every 10 femalesChicks are reared on the farm or sold as day-

old chicks to other farmersFun Fact: The hatchery is relatively new and

is one of the few “true organic” hatcheries in the UK

Poultry (cont)After hatchery, bids are housed

Farmyard and range noises are played for them so that they get use to the sounds that will soon surround them in the environment

The free-range birds grow 2x slower than conventional birdsBut the eating quality is better

Once broilers are on the range they are provided greenery, dust baths, and space

Lets take a look at the turkey industry

The FAI farms made an investment in free-range turkeys for consumer demand in 2007Purchase in July and sell for the perfect

Christmas dinner 400 turkeys and it is first come – first serve policy

Facts on injurious pecking in turkeys

Two current methods to reduce peckingHousing with minimal lighting

Disadvantages - FAWC Appendix 3 presented abnormalities

Light is available but beaks are trimmed Causes problems with normal eating behavior

How did FAI impact the turkey industry?

Implemented animal welfare practices that reduces injurious peckingTurkeys are on range majority of the dayWhole grain is provided in the dietEnrichments are providedStraw is provided 2x/day

The Sheep FlockMules X CoopworthMules X SuffolkEwes lamb in April and are ready for the

market in October

Facts on Sheep (more specifically males)

Castration is not painless no matter the ageEven with anesthetics

Uses of castration in ram lambs supposedly reduce tainting in meatManagement tool

Reduces aggression towards other rams Infertility

How has FAI impacted the sheep industry?

“Short Scrotum”A ring is applied with in the first week of life

under the testes. This process pushes the testes close to the body cavity and in turn is infertile

Testing the quality of meat and the eaten experiences in castrated and intact wethers and rams respectively. This will determine the necessity of castration

SummaryFarm-scale research done by the FAI farm

has provided numerous advantages and disadvantages to alternative food animal operation practices that could improve or disregard animal welfare.

How can you get involved?Visit the FAI official website

http://www.faifarms.co.uk/ and become a Friend of the FAI and you will receive the Friend of the FAI Newsletter

Contact the director on the website via e-mailVISIT THE FARMS!

Always have educational tours for all agesTwo animal welfare classes though Oxford

University (for locals)