The welfare of deer

Recent research on the welfare of farmed deer, as for other species, has addressed issues relating to transport, housing and slaughter. While most studies have continued to use a behavioural and physiological approach, new methods of assessing welfare need to consider aspects of cognition and awareness, which are not so easily assessed. It is suggested that a systems-based analysis may be one way to obtain a view of welfare from an animal-centred position. Incorporating an economic perspective could indicate whether consumer choice or legislation would be more likely to lead to higher standards.