PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN FARM ANIMAL H OUSING FROM AN ETHOLOGICAL POINT-OF-VIEW

The current discussion on ''semi-natural'' or ''extensive'' animal pro duction and husbandry shows that such terms are vague and are often us ed for various meanings. This paper addresses what can be referred to as natural environmental conditions from an ethological point of view, as well as the animal's environment in today's animal production, and how ''near to nature'' animal husbandry can realistically be. Apart f rom some outdoor systems with few ethological problems, the predominan t part of milk and meat production in the future will still largely ta ke place indoors. Thus, the development of housing conditions with are more appropriate to the animal's needs will still be an important iss ue of farm animal behaviour science. Consequently the essential enviro nmental requirements of cattle and pigs derived from their species-spe cific behaviour are described and explained. In the future, an improve d fulfilment of ethological requirements will lead to increased group housing in cold and open, structured barns with indoor straw-bedded ly ing compartments and integrated outdoor feeding and activity areas. Th is process will also be influenced by ecological, economic and technic al aspects. Finally, several studies on cattle and pigs are presented which demonstrate the possible benefits from more appropriate housing systems or the fulfilment of single ethological requirements regarding behaviour, health, fertility and production of the animals.