Abnormal behaviour illicits considerable controversy in animal husbandry.
For many, abnormal does not just mean unusual, but it also indicates some sort of undesirable, behavioral problems. On the one hand, it is argued that abnormal behaviour is indicative of suffering in an inadequate environment. On the other, abnormal behaviors are seen as inconvenient or unsightly vices. Given the welfare concerns associated with both the occurrence and prevention of abnormal behaviour it seems fair ask whether abnormal behaviors really are behavioral problems and if so, how should they best be prevented. First, abnormal has several meanings in both common and scientific parlance.