Increasing farm animal welfare by positively motivated instrumental behaviour

Rewarded instrumental learning leads to the association of an environmental cue with the positive result of the own activity. Instrumental behaviour includes motivation for a specific reward, anticipation of its successful acquisition and positive appraisal. In this paper, we present theoretical and empirical evidence for the potential of an advanced type of cognitive enrichment, which enables farm animals to develop instrumental behaviour as a factor increasing the animals’ experience of well-being. Using the cognitive approach the particularities of positively motivated instrumental behaviour are discussed considering existing experimental results from farm animal studies. Further we outline specific conditions and possible consequences when enrichment allowing instrumental behaviour is integrated in farming practice. It is concluded that this approach meets major requirements for a better emotional animal welfare. In addition it may have the potential to enhance production quality in animal husbandry.