Abstract
Stereotyped movements form part of the normal behavioural repertoire of animals but a definition for welfare purposes is: a stereotypy is a relatively invariate sequence of movements occurring so frequently, in a particular context, that it could not be considered to form part of one of the normal functional systems of the animal. Stereotypies may sometimes be the result of malfunctions of systems controlling behaviour but they could be used to control motivational state by increasing sensory input in monotonous surroundings or by increasing the average predictability of input in unpredictable surroundings. Their frequency of occurrence should be assessed both in the normal rearing conditions and when there is human disturbance. The effects of stereotypies on the animal’s body and on the pen can also be assessed. Examples of studies where rearing condition changes have reduced the incidence of stereotypies are quoted. Whatever the function of stereotypies, if they occupy much time, say 10% of waking life, the conditions could be said to be bad for the welfare of the animal. Stereotypy incidence, however, is just one of several measures which must be combined when assessing responses to adversity.
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© 1983 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg
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Broom, D.M. (1983). Stereotypies as Animal Welfare Indicators. In: Smidt, D. (eds) Indicators Relevant to Farm Animal Welfare. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 23. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6738-0_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6738-0_11
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