Animal welfare is a concern that is becoming ubiquitous in society. Taking it into account and improving it are increasingly important for different actors:

  • consumers whose purchasing actions are increasingly influenced by the conditions of animal husbandry,
  • animal protection associations which have been working for the welfare of animals for a long time,
  • distributors or companies that undertake improvement or labeling initiatives,
  • teachers or trainers who have to integrate this notion into their training,
  • the public authorities, which must take these expectations into account in public policies,
  • and of course the breeders, veterinarians, engineers or technicians who are in contact with the animals every day and are the primary actors in their well-being.

But what are we talking about when we refer to animal welfare?

What is animal welfare really, is it the same for all animals, what does it depend on, is an outdoor animal always better than a house animal, is enough it to take care of an animal so that it is well?

Can we really assess animal welfare, objectively and scientifically, or is it purely subjective?

Finally, can we really improve it, how and what are the benefits for animals and for humans?

All of these questions are important when it comes to animal welfare, especially farm animals!

The objective of the MOOC "The welfare of farm animals" is to provide answers to these different questions. For this, it is structured in three modules:

  • a "understand" module which lays the theoretical foundations,
  • an "assess" module which offers elements that can be used in the field,
  • an "improve" module which presents some solutions

The MOOC was designed by an educational team bringing together teacher-researchers, researchers and veterinarians specializing in the welfare of farm animals. This second session of the MOOC is focused on farm animals and partly takes up the lessons of the first session but we also offer you some new features, whether they are private lessons on the well-being of different species or new interviews. We also offer you the possibility of obtaining a certificate of successful completion of the MOOC to certify the acquisition of skills.

News:

  • New courses (e.g. e-health and animal welfare)
  • Course on the welfare of certain species (pigs, cattle, etc.).
  • New interviews with specialists in different fields.
  • Possibility of obtaining a certificate of achievement