Michael C. Appleby

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Michael Calvert Appleby OBE is a British ethologist and animal welfare scientist, especially for farm animals. He obtained a BSc in Zoology at the University of Bristol and a PhD in Animal Behaviour at King's College, Cambridge. He then spent 20 years at the Poultry Research Centre in Scotland and the University of Edinburgh researching behaviour, husbandry, and welfare of farm animals. He worked for World Animal Protection (previously WSPA) from 2005 to 2016, and is now retired.

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His early work on stocking densities in poultry and the tethering of pregnant sows contributed to the body of evidence that led, eventually, to major changes in animal welfare and the way these animals are kept. [1] Appleby helped design the Edinburgh Modified Cage, which is a furnished cage for hens, replacing battery cages to improve animal welfare. [2]

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to animal welfare. [3]

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Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Debeaking</span> Trimming of a birds beak, usually performed on domesticated birds

Debeaking, beak trimming, or beak conditioning is the partial removal of the beak of poultry, especially layer hens and turkeys although it may also be performed on quail and ducks. Most commonly, the beak is shortened permanently, although regrowth can occur. The trimmed lower beak is somewhat longer than the upper beak. A similar but separate practice, usually performed by an avian veterinarian or an experienced birdkeeper, involves clipping, filing or sanding the beaks of captive birds for health purposes – in order to correct or temporarily to alleviate overgrowths or deformities and better allow the bird to go about its normal feeding and preening activities. Amongst raptor-keepers, this practice is commonly known as "coping".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battery cage</span> Agricultural technology

Battery cages are a housing system used for various animal production methods, but primarily for egg-laying hens. The name arises from the arrangement of rows and columns of identical cages connected, in a unit, as in an artillery battery. Although the term is usually applied to poultry farming, similar cage systems are used for other animals. Battery cages have generated controversy between advocates for animal welfare and industrial producers.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 California Proposition 2</span> California ballot proposition

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References

  1. Animal Welfare – A Key Role In The Future Of The World Accessed 3 May 2009
  2. Appleby, M.C. (1998). "The Edinburgh Modified Cage: Effects of group size and space allowance on brown laying hens". The Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 152–161. Accessed 3 May 2009
  3. "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B10.