An on-farm investigation of beef suckler herds using an animal welfare index (AWI)

BMC Veterinary Research

Table 1 Indicators in the AWI of the "Locomotion" category, the definitions used for rating and their maximum individual score.

¹Animal Weight Unit (AWU); 1 AWU = 500 kg live weight. X² Represents the observed value (X) between 2 and 3 m²/AWU. In tether systems, the first figure refers to back and forth movements, the second to lateral movement. a). Refers to the space allowance; only one type of system is scored; if different systems were found on-farm, each system must be scored independently. b). If animals had constant access to an outside yard and they could be outside at the same time the maximum score was assigned, if the access was restricted and/or not all animals could go out, the score of 1 was assigned. If there was no access to a yard the score assigned was 0. c). Referred to any part, partition and bars susceptible to harm the animals; the teguments of animals were also checked to detect any sign of deviation from the normality. d). If animals could move easily the maximum score (3) was assigned. If the movements of the animals were very restrained and/or if they had extreme difficulties to rise/lie down, the score assigned was -0.5. e). Total days spent at grass per year. The total locomotion score (column 1) equals to the sum of columns a). b). c). d). and e).

ISSN: 1746-6148