Attitudes Towards Animals and Calf Disbudding Techniques: A Mixed Methods Study Using the Animal Attitude Scale...

Area of Science:

• Animal Welfare Science
• Agricultural Ethics
• Public Perception Studies

Background:

• Calf disbudding is a standard dairy industry practice to prevent horn growth and associated injuries.
• Increasing public concern regarding animal welfare has prompted scrutiny of conventional disbudding techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate public perceptions of caustic paste and hot-iron calf disbudding methods.
• To identify factors influencing the acceptability of different disbudding techniques.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative analysis.
• Online survey of 511 Texas residents assessing attitudes towards animal welfare and disbudding methods.

Main Results:

• Caustic paste disbudding was generally perceived as more humane, with animal welfare concern and justification for animal use being key predictors of acceptability.
• Qualitative data revealed themes of animal suffering, ethical considerations, and public knowledge gaps.
• Skepticism towards hot-iron disbudding was higher among low-income participants, though it can be welfare-conscious with pain management.

Conclusions:

• Public preference leans towards caustic paste, but understanding of hot-iron disbudding's welfare implications with pain control is limited.
• The dairy industry must prioritize consumer education and transparent communication regarding calf disbudding practices.