Animal Breeding, Welfare and SocietyThe determination of when, how, how often and with whom an animal breeds is moving rapidly away from evolutionary pressures and towards human purposes: these include the breeding of around 50 billion mammals and birds for food production annually, the breeding of pedigree dogs and cats, racing dogs and horses, specialised laboratory animal strains and the use of reproductive science to conserve endangered species or breeds and to limit unwanted populations of pests and non-native species. But the ethics and sustainability of this takeover of animals' reproductive lives have been insufficiently examined by either professionals or the public. This book discusses the methods, the motivations and the consequences of human intervention in animal breeding in terms of animal health, behaviour and well-being. It explores where we are now and the choices ahead, and looks to a future where we have more respect for animals as sentient beings and where we could loosen the reins of reproductive control. |
Contents
| 1 | |
2 Breeding for Productivity | 25 |
3 Productivity and Animal Health | 51 |
Animal Behaviour | 77 |
Ideal Standards | 103 |
Welfare Professionals and Owners | 127 |
Breeding Gladiators | 155 |
8 Surpluses and Rejects | 183 |
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20th century accessed American Kennel Club animal breeding Animal Genetic Resources Animal Health animal production Animal Welfare animal’s Association bred breed standards breeders breeding animals British broiler bull calves castration cat breeds cattle cent Chapter chickens chicks cloning commercial companion animals conservation contraceptive dairy cows disease dog breeds dogs and cats domestic eggs embryo transfer European Farm Animal farmers female fertility gene genome global grey squirrels Greyhound Racing herd Holstein hormone horses human hybrids inbreeding increase industry invasive Invasive Species Journal Kennel Club killed laboratory laying hens litters livestock male mating meat methods mice milk million mouse mutation oestrus ofAnimal offspring owners pain pedigree dogs pest piglets pigs population potential Poultry problems puppies racehorses rats reduce reproductive ruddy duck Science scientific scientists selective breeding semen sheep social society sows species squirrels strains Terrier Thoroughbred traits Veterinary Record weaning white-headed duck wild Wildlife