The Bible and Farm Animal Welfare

The Bible was composed by and for people who farmed animals and observed them every day. It contains many descriptions of farm animals and farming, images that use farm animals, and prescriptions relating to husbandry practices. Farm animals are viewed as part of God's creation with their own purposes and modes of flourishing. Both the Old and New Testaments take their welfare seriously, prohibiting practices that cause pain or suffering, and endorsing methods that promote welfare. These prohibitions and endorsements are consistent with modern animal welfare science. Examining animal groups, bodies, behavior, and stockpersons, this book shows that a biblical understanding of farm animal welfare is scientifically valid and should motivate both farmers and consumers to take welfare seriously.