This study compared the economic feasibility of production systems with different levels of animal
welfare (AW) in the broiler, laying hen, and fattening pig sectors. Economic feasibility over a five-year
time horizon was assessed using stochastic bio-economic simulation models. The results suggest that the
main determinant of economic feasibility in each sector is the producer price. It is not only the level of
the price premium but also the certainty and variability of this premium that is important in the decision
to convert to an alternative system. From the perspective of the farm, different approaches should be
followed in the three sectors to further develop the market for products with higher levels of AW. The
results imply that the broiler sector has the best perspective in the short to medium term for developing
this market. In the fattening pig sector, conversion options should be made more financially attractive,
for example by increasing price premiums or providing conversion subsidies. The laying hen sector has
the worst prospects for improving AW in the short to medium term. Therefore, given the current production
systems in this sector, producer price premiums need to be increased in order to increase the
adoption of alternative production systems