A01

Examples of questions for the written examination

Animal welfare

Ute Knierim
Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry
 Animal welfare definition, concepts, assessment

1. Please give a definition of animal welfare and explain what it

means that it is multidimensional.
2. How can animal welfare be measured and which criteria must a
good measure fulfil?
3. Animal welfare measures can either be resource based or animal
based. Please explain these terms and name one example as well
as advantages and disadvantages for the on-farm welfare
assessment for each category.
4. Please exemplarily name three measures of performance. Is
performance a suitable animal welfare indicator – and what kind of
indicator, what does it tell about? Please name an example where it
is a valid welfare indicator and an example where it is not. Which
factors do influence performance and need to be considered in the
interpretation of the measures?
5. What is it that you assess in an animal welfare assessment and
which types of measures can be applied? Please state advantages
and disadvantages of the different types of measures.
Ute Knierim
2 Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry
 Laying hen husbandry and welfare in Europe

1. Please name five aspects of hens’ natural behaviour that should be

taken care of in laying hen husbandry.
2. Please name five risks associated with the provision of free-range
to laying hens and name for each a possible measure by which this
risk can be reduced.
3. Please name five specific requirements from the EU organic
regulation (2008) for the keeping and management of poultry that
in your view are important for animal welfare and briefly give a
reason why they are.
4. Please describe the course of life of a commercial laying hen. Is it
different between organic and conventional hens? Please name
three differences between organic and conventional laying hen
husbandry following the EU organic regulation.
5. What is feather pecking and what cannibalism in laying hens?
Which symptomatic prevention measure is forbidden in organic
husbandry and what should be done instead? Please name four
measures.
Ute Knierim
3 Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry
 Cattle husbandry and welfare in Europe

1. In the barn, cattle can be kept tied, or loose on deep litter or in

cubicles. Please name one advantage and one disadvantage for
each housing system.
2. If you would be asked to assess the animal welfare state of a dairy
cow, which aspects would you take into account? Please give two
examples for each of the three basic dimensions of animal welfare.
3. How is a cubicle house for dairy cows designed, and what is the
difference compared to a straw yard system? Please name two
advantages and two disadvantages for each housing system.
4. Please name five requirements for cattle husbandry from the EU
organic regulation and give for each one a reason why they are
important for animal welfare.
5. Please name each four advantages and challenges of pasture
access for dairy cows. How is this regulated in organic dairy
farming in Europe?

Ute Knierim
4 Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry
 Animal welfare and organic legislation in Europe

1. Please name just five specific requirements from the EU organic

regulation (2008) that in your view are important for animal welfare
and briefly give a reason why they are.
2. Please explain three examples of your own choice where organic
husbandry practices may be in conflict with animal welfare
considerations (either because standards are absent or low or
because of conflicts of interest). Briefly give an argument for the
current practice and against.

Ute Knierim
5 Farm Animal Behaviour and Husbandry