DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN ANIMAL-WELFARE INDEX FOR CATTLE KEPT OUTDOORS

Aim of this study was the development of an animal welfare index for c attle kept outdoors. The index can reach a maximum score of 200 points by taking into consideration the influence of seven main factors as f ollows: suitability of race (40 pts), social contact (20 pts), soil an d surface consistency (30 pts), behaviour of comfort (20 pts), wind ex posure (20 pts), adaptation and condition (30 pts), intensity of anima l care (40 pts). Cattle kept outdoors from 501 farms, which follow eco logically sustainable production goals, were chosen for an evaluation study of the newly developped animal welfare index. In 1996 an average score per farm of 159 pts and in 1997 of 162 pts. was obtained. The r esults demonstrate a high degree of animal welfare in these farms.