• Reflexión

    Animal Welfare in Colombian Sheep-Goat Production Systems

    Vol. 10 No. 21 (2014)
    Published: 2026-07-05
    Víctor Manuel Acero
    In Colombia, livestock systems or production systems are focused on species with the greatest export potential or highest national consumption. These are poultry (meat, eggs, genetics), cattle (milk, meat, genetics), pigs (meat, genetics) and fish. There is also smaller scale production of buffalos, sheep/goats, rabbits and guinea pigs. National standards related to primary production have centered on good practices for cattle, poultry and pigs, and there are currently norms for the slaughter of these animals. The industry for these species is generally well developed, albeit with some gaps in the areas of animal welfare, traceability, and disease control and surveillance systems, food-safety systems and compliance with international standards for exportation. Data from 2012 shows that Colombian livestock production primarily consists of 27 million head of cattle, 25 million birds (chickens/hens), 2.5 million horses, 1.6 million pigs, 1.3 million goats, and 1.1 million sheep, among other animals. This shows an imbalance in the agricultural sector, where there is a clear tendency towards traditional production species. Today, there are approximately 2.5 million head of sheep and goats when the two species are taken together.
    Keywords: Array, Array, Array

    How to Cite

    Acero , V. M. (2014). Animal Welfare in Colombian Sheep-Goat Production Systems. Spei Domus, 10(21), 57-62. https://doi.org/10.16925/sp.v10i21.918

    Espinal CF, Covaleda HM, Amezquita JE. La cadena de ovinos y caprinos en Colombia. Documento de trabajo n.° 125. Bogotá: Observatorio Agrocadenas Colombia. 2006.

    Albarracín WH, Sánchez, IB. Caracterización del sacrificio de corderos de pelo a partir de cruces con razas criollas colombianas. Rev MVZ Córdoba. 2013;18(1):3370-8.

    Romero FA, Duarte JH. Identificación y evaluación nutricional de especies vegetales consumidas habitualmente por ovinos y caprinos en pastoreo en el desierto de la Tatacoa, Huila, Colombia. Agroforestería Neotropical. 2012;(2):4-18.

    Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes. [Curso virtual] Disponible en: http://www.virtual.unal.edu.co/cursos/veterinaria/2017107_2/und_1/index.html

    Arévalo A., Correa G. Tecnología de la ovinocultura colombiana: estado del arte. Revista Ciencia Animal. 2013;6:125-142.

    Asociación de Criadores de Ganado Ovino de Colombia (Asoovinos). Plan estratégico para el desarrollo gremial 2010-2018. Plan estratégico de la ovinocultura colombiana 2018. Bogotá: Asoovinos; 2010. Disponible en: www.asoovinos.org

    Roger PA. The Impact of Disease and Disease Prevention on Sheep Welfare. Small Ruminant Research. 2008;76:104-11.

    Phythian CJ, Michalopoulou E, Jones PH, Winter AC, Clarkson MJ, Stubbings LA, et al. Validating Indicators of Sheep Welfare through a Consensus of Expert Opinion. Animal. 2011;5(6):943-52.

    Battini M, Peric T, Ajuda I, Vieira A, Grosso L, Barbieri S, et al. Hair Coat Condition: A Valid and Reliable Indicator for On-Farm Welfare As sessment in Adult Dairy Goats. Small Rum Res. 2015;123(2-3):197-203.

    Caroprese M, Casamassima D, Rassu SP, Napoli no F, Sevi A. Monitoring the On-Farm Welfare of Sheep and Goats. Ital J Anim Sci. 2009;8(1):343-54.

    Battini M, Vieira A, Barbieri S, Ajuda L, Stilwell G, Mattiello S. Invited Review: Animal-Based Indicators for On-Farm Welfare Assessment for Dairy Goats. J Dairy Sci. 2014;97(11):6625-48.

    Stafford K. Sheep Veterinarians and the Welfare of Sheep: No Simple Matter. Small Rum Res. 2014;118:106-9.

    MÉTRICAS
    ARTICLE VIEWS: 9409
    PDF VIEWS: 13818