Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences

What does animal welfare mean
and how can it be improved?

To find this out, we research the behaviour and emotional states of the animals, use information on animal health and economically relevant characteristics. Ethical and animal welfare aspects also play a role. These topics are dealt with by the Applied Ethology and Animal Welfare research branch.

Many problems in animal husbandry are related to a disorder in behaviour control. Basic research into behavioural control and emotional states therefore also leads to solutions for practically relevant behavioural problems in livestock, pets, laboratory animals and zoo animals. These basic principles are investigated by the research branch Comparative Vertebrate Ethology.

Our research is thus situated at the interface between basic scientific/clinical research and the application of issues from the fields of agricultural economics and social sciences.