Assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants

Positive animal welfare is an emerging concept that is gaining interest compared to the traditional notion of animal welfare. The latter has historically emphasized the minimization of distress and suffering while giving little consideration to the potential for experiences of positive and pleasant states, such as joy and contentment. The assessment of positive welfare in small ruminants is still in the early stages and empirical validation of positive indicators necessitates rigorous testing to avoid circular reasoning, starting with identifying preferred environments and valued situations through preference and motivation tests. While some promising indicators have been developed, particularly for sheep, the validation processes for most of these indicators are still ongoing. The inter-and intraobserver reliability of these indicators has rarely been studied on-farm, and feasibility remains a challenge, especially under extensive farming conditions. Promising indicators identified so far include vocalizations, facial expressions, and play behavior.