Från vilda till domesticerade djur - kan man gå ett steg längre?
Domestication has resulted in the ability for animals to adapt to environments created by the human over time. The behavior differs very little between wild and domesticated animals, but the difference seen is how often and to what degree a behavior is performed. The need for efficiency in modern animal production has led to welfare problems in the productionsystems where the animals have difficulties coping with their environment. Attempts to environmentally adapt individuals by selection for reduced frequency of natural behaviours have been made. These have shown that natural behaviours are complex and are controlled by several different mechanisms, making selection for reduced natural behavior difficult, and it may also lead to unwanted and abnormal behaviours. To fulfill the moral and ethical demand on breeding, selection for robust animals is suggested, meaning that individual characteristics that are important for the welfare, health and integrity are included in the breeding goals. Breeding for social animals could lead to less stress and greater wellbeing in the production, without affecting the animals? integrity. More research is needed to see how selection for different behavioral characteristics affects the behavior and production levels. In the future, a combination of individually adapted environments and environmentally adapted individuals are needed to ensure a good animal welfare.