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WG3 focused on links between environment, health, and damaging behaviour in adult animals.

The objectives of WG3 were to map and summarize current knowledge about the relationship between damaging behaviour and health status under commercial conditions, to develop new ideas for further research and to disseminate scientific knowledge to effect real change on farms.

Pigs: There was a focus on exploring the relationship between symptoms of poor health and associated behaviour, with a focus on tail biting and aggression related behaviour. WG3 also shared best practice and standardised methodologies for assessing health status and disease tolerance in pigs, focussing on immunological, genetic and behavioural indicators so that these could be better linked to tail biting, aggression and/or disease tolerance.

Laying hens: There was a focus on studying and optimising environmental effects on feather pecking, aggressive behaviour, cannibalism and health in adult birds.

For both pigs and laying hens, WG3 also worked with assessing the cost-effectiveness of ethically justified practical strategies to reducing damaging behaviour and favouring health that can be implemented at the farm level. The group worked with disseminating the most cost-effective ethically responsible solutions to stakeholders, including end users, interest organisations, policymakers and the general public.