Humane Farm Animal Care standards have the following objectives for animals who are raised for food. Taken together they address many of the cruelties inherent in although not limited to intensive farming operations. These include: close confinement and severely restricted mobility; overcrowding; temperature extremes; the overuse of antibiotics in an attempt to keep animals healthy in fundamentally unhealthy environments; deprivations of many kinds including of exercise, of light, and of engaging in species-typical behaviors such as sunbathing, foraging, roosting and nesting; various routine mutilations to manage behavior, such as debeaking, dehorning, detoeing and tail docking; and mistreatment at the hands of agricultural workers. Humane Farm Animal Care objectives include:
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Access to fresh water and a diet designed to maintain full health for the animal’s projected lifespan and promote a positive state of well-being, with food and water distributed in such a way as to avoid undue competition
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An environment in which animals are protected from physical and environmental discomfort, fear and distress, and are allowed to perform their natural behavior
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Managers and caretakers who are thoroughly trained, skilled and competent in the husbandry and welfare of the animals under their care
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A plan for herd health that is in accordance with good veterinary and husbandry practices
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Considerate handling, transport and slaughter designed to avoid unnecessary distress or discomfort