Preference studies and welfare

Abstract

If we want to find out what resources and living conditions people need for good welfare, we can study what they choose when given access to alternatives. Once an option is chosen, we must then also take account of the actual effects of having that resource. The assessment of such effects was the subject of Chapter 6, while this chapter is about what is preferred and what is avoided. Observing preferences is also a well-known guide to providing adequately for the animals we keep. Dog owners soon come to recognize the indications given by their dog that it wishes to have food or to go out for a walk. Similarly studies in which farm animals are offered different foods have been of value in deciding which foods to provide and which to avoid. In recent years, sophisticated experimental techniques have been developed which give detailed information, not only about the existence of a preference, but about the strength of the preference.