The Artistic Farmer

Animals need to be free from hunger and thirst, animals need a fresh and regular supply of water and food, if they do not the animals will become stressed making their immune system weaker and susceptible to disease, but they would also become incredibly bored. Animals should also be fed in a way they would in the wild. For example foraging animals such as guinea pigs should have their food scattered and different fresh fruit and vegetables should be hidden in hay to make them work for it. Large cats such as Lions and Tigers should be made to chase their food as they would in the wild for example from the back of a moving vehicle and encouraged to drag it off and eat it. This stimulates their mind and body, prevents boredom and reduces stress. If they don;t have the chance to do this they may exhibit abnormal, stereotypical behaviours such as bar biting.

Animals should be free from discomfort, pain, injury and disease. If animals are in an unsuitable environments where its too hot, too cold, wet etc. then they will become stressed and will become ill. If they're in pain or are suffering from a disease that isn't treated then they will exhibit abnormal behaviours such as avoiding food, apathy and aggression. All of these factors contribute to the psychological welfare of animals.

Animals, for their physical and psychological well being need to be able to exhibit their natural behaviours that they would perform in the wild. For example chickens need to be able to have dust baths and make nests for their eggs, if they don't then they will cause harm to themselves. Battery farmed egg laying chickens will rub themselves against the dirty cage bars causing injuries to their eyes, beaks and feathers. Battery farmed pigs in crates will bite the bars causing injuries to their mouths if they're not allowed to forage. Being able to perform natural behaviours makes them happy. With performing natural behaviours animals need to be kept with their own kind, for example a sheep kept solitary will become bored and stressed as they feel safe in a large group, they become agitated, apathetic and perform stereotypical behaviours if they're in this situation. Being able to breed is also a form of natural behaviours, the vast majority of marine fish will not be breed in an aquarium as they're stressed in an aquarium setting

Animals need to be free from fear and distress, for example a guinea pig that is housed near a barking dog will make them stressed and cause abnormal behaviours such as not eating or sleeping. Animals need to be able to hide to make them feel secure and this will make them more secure and confident.