STUDIES OF STRESS IN FARM-ANIMALS

Major changes have taken place in animal production over the last thre e decades. I-lousing conditions have changed dramatically over this pe riod, and there has been a striking increase in production. Agri cultu ral animals try to cope with these highly demanding conditions (stress ors) using behavioural and physiological stress responses aiming to re store homeostasis. When these responses are not successful or when the y are thwarted, typical behavioural and physiological symptoms of chro nic stress occur. Ln this situation, the welfare of the animal is clea rly at stake. Moreover, chronic stress may seriously affect the effici ency of animal production and the quality of the product. Ultimately, detailed knowledge of stress responses in agricultural animals will al low the formulation of housing and management requirements, including handling by humans, which will benefit welfare and health of farm anim als as well as production efficiency, This paper briefly addresses som e important issues regarding the study of stress and welfare in farm a nimals, and discusses some recently developed experimental methods as well as relevant results obtained in our laboratory.