Q I've always tried to keep up to date with good practice in caring for my livestock but in the last few years I've become increasingly aware of advice on animal behaviour concerning horses to even chickens. I'm not entirely sure if this is a 'fad' or whether its truly helpful in the care of captive animals such as pigs or chickens. Should I take more notice and why?
A The very short answer to this is yes , the science of animal behaviour is very helpful and as you rightly note, it is being increasingly recognised as part of good animal welfare (and I will include poultry in that. The better we can understand the natural behaviour of a species, the more we can work with that to provide the care and facilities that allow them thrive. We've been starting to look increasingly at behaviour and the Five Freedoms that underpin animal welfare legally are now very much accepted.
The Five Freedoms is a framework that was established in 1979 by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council in response to an analysis of animal husbandry practices in farming.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANIMALS?
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
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