Important animal terms glossary

A closed building with forced ventilation and with or without a lighting system for laying hens. Birds are kept in tiered cages, usually made of steel wire, arranged in long rows. After 2012 conventional cages will be banned in EU member states. After 2012 only enriched cages are allowed. They can be replaced by enriched cages or aviary system.

Small enclosures, usually made of wire or metal bars and arranged in rows or tiers, in which laying hens are kept. Banned in many countries for animal welfare reasons.

Removal of part of the beak (laying hens, parent broilers and turkeys) using a hot blade, secateurs or an infra-red beam. In the EU no more than a third of the beak may be removed. Infra-red method is encouraged when beak trimming cannot be avoided. Since 2017 beak-trimming is not practiced anymore in Germany.

Cow kept mainly for rearing calves for beef production.

Measures that minimise/prevent the entry and spread of infectious agent within/into a farm.

An uncastrated male pig used for breeding.

Concerning cattle.

The stage at which an animal has attained sufficient body size, weight, and physiological development to be successfully bred and to sustain pregnancy without compromising its own continued growth, generally occurring after puberty and at a higher body weight threshold.

Chicken reared for meat production.

A house for intensive broiler production. It is usually a simple closed building with natural or artificial light, thermally insulated and force ventilated. It may also be constructed with open side walls covered with mesh screens and located so that they are exposed to a natural stream of air. Additional ventilation fans may be fitted for use during hot weather. The birds are kept on litter e. g. chopped straw, wood shavings, shredded paper, spread over the entire floor area. Manure (broiler litter) is removed at the end of each growing period.