Important animal terms glossary

A sow having recently given birth and producing milk.

Parent stock (males and females) kept to produce fertile eggs for commercial laying hen production.

Chickens kept for egg production.

How many infected individuals die.

All the offspring born to a female (usually a pig) at one time.

The weight of a live animal (as opposed to the weight of the carcass or deadweight).

Any transport of a live animal that exceeds 8 hours, from loading to unloading; welfare has been shown to decrease significantly across species in journeys lasting more than 8 hours.

Animals have free access over the whole area of the building or pen. It is common for a deep layer of bedding (usually straw) to be spread over the floor that is removed from the building, typically once or twice per winter, as farmyard manure. A concrete floor, which is cleaned more frequently by scraping, may be provided in the area where the animals stand to feed and/or drink.

Livestock diet that is formulated with less protein-rich feedstuff, e. g. soya bean meal for pigs, to reduce nitrogen excretion and, hence, ammonia emission. Appropriate amounts of essential amino acids needed for optimal animal performance are incorporated into the diet.