3.3 Environmental Enrichment for Livestock

Environmental enrichment for livestock benefits animal welfare and productivity by decreasing behavioral issues associated with poor animal health. Tail biting in pigs, mainly seen in continuous confinement operations, is a classic example. Due to the differences in how organic and alternative livestock are raised (outdoor access, etc.), providing enrichment may be less of a concern than on conventional farms. On the other hand, welfare certification programs that organic and alternative farms may want to join usually have environmental enrichment components, such as straw bales and perches for chickens, scratching posts for cattle, or wallows for pigs.

There are several farm welfare certification programs, each with its own rules. A veterinarian would have to be certified for each specific program to assist farmers in becoming certified. This is something veterinarians are being asked to do by O/A farmers and ranchers more and more under the VCPR and is an area for growth for veterinarians.