A biological integrity framework for describing animal welfare and wellbeing

Ethical treatment of animals is the keystone livestock production. Assessment welfare integral to assurance that experience a good life. Underpinning are concepts what constitutes welfare, life and wellbeing. This review examines wellbeing frameworks have been developed for describing their scope. Historically, tripartite model (feeling well, functioning leading natural life) has translated into Five Freedoms (FF), Domains (FD), Good Life (GL), Welfare through Competence (WtC) OIE World Organisation Animal Health Principles frameworks. These provide scaffolds numerous assessment schemes. However, three-part (eudaimonia, hedonia, social interaction) lacks an explicit framework, although FD, GL WtC implicitly address aspects Whereas positive affective (hedonic) experiences considered constitute eudaimonic function interaction be above beyond any indirect contribution they make (i.e. welfare). In this view, health more than absence ill-health interactions freedom from isolation. New phenotypes in farm identified analysis sensor data providing new perspectives on functional integrity biological processes align well with analyses draw methods resilience theory examine stability complex dynamic systems, specifically, uniformity trajectories, periodicity biorhythms complexity networks. A framework proposed loosely partitions FF, inputs, opportunities, outcomes. The positions outcome within context input constraints can generate harms deficiencies, environmental opportunities foster acquisition competencies flourishing. It combines eudaimonic, hedonic terminology welfare. hoped help orientate descriptions derived broader literature