Improving Animal Welfare through Genetic Selection

• Main Author: Wendy Mercedes Rauw (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media SA 2016
• Series: Frontiers Research Topics
• Subjects: Genetics (non-medical); animal breeding; livestock improvement; selection; livestock production; Genetics; welfare; sustainable agriculture
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

In livestock species, breeding goals are aimed primarily at improvement of production traits. However, there are a number of examples where selection for high production efficiency has resulted in reduced welfare through unfavorable outcomes in health and fitness characteristics. These effects raise...