The concept of animal welfare was essentially unexamined until the 1970s. This is the case because, historically, the major use of animals in society was agriculture—that is, for food, fiber, locomotion, and power. The key to success in animal agriculture, in turn, was good husbandry (Rollin 1995).

The Husbandry Ideal

Husbandry involved putting animals into the best possible environment fitting their biological natures and needs, and then augmenting that environment with the provision by the agriculturalist of food during famine, water during drought, protection from predation, help in birthing, and medical attention. The resulting symbiotic relationships between farmers and their animals represented what has been called "a fair and ancient contract," with both animals and humans better off in the relationship than they would be outside it. Animals benefited from the care provided by humans; humans benefited from the animals' toil, products, and sometimes their lives...