Welfare and biosecurity in sheep farms: Case study: Bursa province

Abstract

This study intends to put forth observation and survey results with respect to analysis on characteristics of animal welfare and biosecurity in sheep farms of Bursa province, Turkey. The farms were divided in three groups: small-size farms (50 to 100 head), medium-size farms (101 to 150 head) and large-size farms (above 151 head). Biosecurity is a new concept to farms; nevertheless, breeders showed various accurate approaches regardless of the size of farm and despite the relative ignorance about the issue. According to hereby study, assessment on certain structural and production characteristics of farms with regard to animal welfare and biosecurity revealed that they were insufficient but open for improvement in terms of husbandry and management practices, maintenance and administration practices, sanitation and structural characteristics.