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Animal Welfare Standards [NEW]

Introduction

These welfare standards are aimed at promoting good animal welfare balanced between real life standards and Minecraft limitations - encouraging realistic animal ownership within reason on a game. 

On our servers, the following welfare standards are required of all players, for all entities / animals. Not every aspect of animal welfare can be covered, but we focus on several key components:

  • Space / Shelter
  • Environment
  • Needs
  • Safety

We want to make welfare standards educational and engaging - not a chore. Our enforcement of these on SWE servers will always aim to inform of the issue(s) first so it can be acknowledged and changed - not everyone is used to playing this way!

How to use our welfare standards

Look up the animal you are intending to keep and verify the following:

  1. How much space is each animal going to need, both outdoor (if applicable) and shelter (if applicable)
  2. How many animals do you want to keep of that type - multiple the space required by the number desired
  3. What kind of environment does that animal need - does it require specific terrain or requirements like water?
  4. What kind of need provisions does the animal require - does it require water / food / enrichment?
  5. What safety measures will need to be in place - height or walls, secure from escape, fully enclosed or just fenced?

Math is not everyone's strong suit - we get that. Most SWE staff are able and willing to held you get to grips with this on SWE servers if asked, OR you can put in for a welfare check if you want to be notified of any potential issues to work on!

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1:
To make a pasture for a known amount of animals (cows), do the following:
1. Work out the total block area required by the animal - ie cows need 19B EACH (15B outdoor + 4B indoor each)
2. Work out the total block area of the maximum number of cows I want to house - ie 8 cows x 19B each = 152B of pasture.
3. Work out the total block area of the pasture that needs to be sheltered - ie 8 cows x 4B each shelter = 32B of shelter.
4. Work out the width of your new pasture, ie 12B, divide the pasture area by this - ie 152 / 12 = 13B length.
--- If a number comes out with decimals, you should round UP to the nearest number.
--- Pasture space is counted on the inside edge excluding fences.

EXAMPLE 2: 
To work out how many animals (cow) an existing pasture can hold, do the following: 
1. Work out the total block area of a pasture (count manually, or calculate width x length of the inner (non fence) area).
2. Work out the total block area required by the animal - ie cows need 19B EACH (15B outdoor + 4B indoor each)
3. Divide the pasture block area, by the animal block area = number of animals that can be housed there.
--- If a number comes out with decimals, you should round DOWN to the nearest number - ie 5.3 cows = 5 cows.

EXAMPLE 3: 
To work out many many animals of 2+ types an existing pasture can hold, do the following:
1. Work out the total block area of a pasture (count manually, or calculate width x length of the inner (non fence) area).
2. Work out the total block area required by the first type of animal - ie cows need 19B EACH
3. Work out the total block area required by the second type of animal - ie sheep need 12B EACH
4. Multiply the block area of the first animal by the number you intend to keep - ie 5 cows x 19B = 95B.
5. Subtract the number of the first animal from the total block area of the pasture - ie 150B pasture minus 95 = 55B left over.
6. Divide the remaining pasture space by the total block area of the second animal - ie 55B / 12B (per sheep) = 4.5 (4) sheep.
--- In this example, the pasture of 150B could hold 5 cows and 4 sheep.

Livestock

MAXIMUM OWNERSHIP OF EACH TYPE: 8 ANIMALS 
Livestock capacity is counted when a player is offline or off their property. You may breed up for resources while online ON your property, but upon leaving they must be culled back down to capacity. Any excess livestock above your maximum enclosure capacity, or above your maximum ownership capacity will be culled without notice - you will not receive the resources from this!

Livestock must not be kept underground with no access to sunlight and fresh air, or shut inside with no outside area.

CHICKENS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 4B each 3B 2B each 1B Grazing / Bales 1B per 5
Secure Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Chickens should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc).
Companions Chickens can be kept with other passive livestock (cows, sheep and pigs).
PIGS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 8B each 5B 4B each 3B Grazing / Bales 1B per 5
Secure Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Pigs should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate grazing or bales.
Companions Pigs can be kept with other passive livestock (cows, sheep and chickens).
SHEEP Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 8B each 5B 4B each 3B 2B Grass each 1B per 5
Secure Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Sheep should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate grazing or bales.
Companions Sheep can be kept with other passive livestock (cows, pigs and chickens).
COWS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 15B each 6B 4B each 3B Grazing / Bales 1B per 5
Secure Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Cows should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate grazing or bales.
Companions Cows can be kept with other passive livestock (sheep, pigs and chickens).
GOATS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 10B each 5B 4B each 3B Grazing / Bales 1B per 5
Secure Goats can jump up to 10B - enclosure must be secure and escape-proof. 
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Goats should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate grazing or bales.
Companions Goats should not be kept with any other animals as they can ram and harm them.
BEES Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 5B each 5B --- --- 1 flower each NO
Secure The apiary (enclosure) should be secure with sides and a roof, otherwise bees may fly away.
Shelter Bees need one hive or nest per 3 bees in the enclosure for shelter during bad weather or at night.
Water Water should be covered or removed as it is deadly to bees that come into contact with it.
Harvesting Bees require peaceful harvesting via campfires or dispensers or they will attack the player and die after.

Pets

MAXIMUM OWNERSHIP OF EACH TYPE: 5 PETS

PONY (ETC) Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 15B each 4B 6B each 4B Grazing / Bales 1B each
Secure Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space or accessible indoor area that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain Pony/Mules should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate grazing or bales.
Tack Pony/Mules should not be left tacked (saddle or carpet) when not in use or player is offline.

These standards also apply to Skeleton Horses, Zombie Horses, Mules, Donkeys, Llamas and Camels.
CATS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 6B each 3B 2B each 1B NO 1B per 5
Indoor May be kept indoors if each cat has a sleeping spot, there is sufficient space and no overcrowding.
Shelter Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.
Enrichment [Optional] Cats are athletic creatures that enjoy playing with vertical climbing spaces such as cat trees.
DOGS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 9B each 3B 2B each 2B NO 1B per 5
Shelter Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.
Indoor May be kept indoors if each dog has a sleeping spot, there is sufficient space and no overcrowding.
Enrichment [Optional] Dogs are sociable creatures that thrive in their human's company and benefit from regular exercise.
PARROTS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 4B each 3B 2B each 1B NO 1B per 5
Shelter Shelter counts any raised covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.
Indoor May be kept indoors if each parrot has a raised perching spot, there is sufficient space and no overcrowding.
Enrichment [Optional] Birds are intelligent animals that benefit from regular interaction +/- time outside an enclosure.
RABBITS Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 4B each 5B 2B each 1B NO 1B per 5
Secure

Rabbits can jump up to 2B - Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count a small underground burrow provided it's accessible and not too deep.
Enrichment [Optional] Rabbits are playful and sociable animals that enjoy time to explore (safe) areas, and eat carrots!
AXOLOTL Tank Space Min. Height  Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 4B each 2B --- --- NO ---
Secure Enclosure (tank) must be secure and escape proof - tanks require a sealed lid.
Tank Axolotls are most suited to a tank (aquarium) with at least 2B deep water, or a nearly exclusive water enclosure.
Enrichment [Optional] Axolotls are playful and enjoy swimming around in a large tank area with waterlogged dripleaf.
Companions Axolotls should not be kept with any other small aquatic animals or fish as they will harm them.
FISH Tank Space Min. Height  Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 2B each 1B --- --- NO ---
Secure Enclosure (tank) must be secure and escape proof - tanks require a sealed lid.
Tank Axolotls are most suited to a tank (aquarium) with at least 2B deep water, or an outside pond.
Enrichment [Optional] Fish benefit from plant mater like coral, seagrass or bubble blocks (soul sand).

Wildlife

MAXIMUM OWNERSHIP OF EACH TYPE: 5 WILDLIFE

Wildlife must not be kept caged (small enclosure), indoors or underground with no access to sunlight and fresh air.

OCELOT Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 16B each 3B 3B each 1B NO 1B per 5
Secure

Enclosure must be secure and escape proof.
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Enrichment

Climbing spaces are encouraged.
Terrain

Ocelots should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate hiding spots.
Companions

Ocelots should not be kept with chickens or turtles as they will attack them.
FOX Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 16B each 3B 4B each 1B NO 1B per 5
Secure

Foxes can jump up to 10B - enclosure must be secure and escape-proof. 
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) OR a small underground den.
Enrichment

Sweet Berry bushes are encouraged.
Terrain

Foxes should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc) with adequate hiding spots.
Companions

Foxes should not be kept with chickens, rabbits, turtles or fish as they will attack them.
POLAR BEAR Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 50B each 5B 6B each 3B NO See below
Secure

Enclosure must be secure and escape-proof. 
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Terrain

Polar bears should have at least 50% snow cover, and access to a sizeable body of water to swim in.
Companions

Polar bears should not be kept with foxes and players should not be able to fall or jump into the enclosure.
PANDA Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 50B each 4B 6B each 3B NO 1B each
Secure

Enclosure must be secure and escape-proof. 
Shelter

Shelter counts any covered space (outdoors) that has at least two sides and overhead cover.

Shelter can count sufficient natural cover (trees) provided they have enough space and height under them.
Enrichment

Pandas munch on bamboo and 2 stalks should be planted per panda in the enclosure.
Terrain

Pandas should have soft, natural footing in outdoor spaces (dirt, grass etc).
TURTLES Outdoor Space Min. Height Shelter Space Min. Height Food Water
Space Req. 16B each 5B --- --- NO See Below
Secure

Enclosure must be secure and escape-proof. 
Terrain

Turtles require a mix of 2B+ deep water (~50%) and terrain, including sand to dig in for laying eggs.
Companions

Turtles should not be kept with or anywhere near Foxes, Ocelots or Axolotl.

COMING SOON:
- Bats
- Striders
- Frogs / Tadpoles

Non-Permissible Entities

MAXIMUM OWNERSHIP OF EACH TYPE: 0 ENTITIES
We currently do not have welfare standards for these entities, and they are not permitted to be kept on server.

  • Mooshroom - Blacklisted mob
  • Villager - Blacklisted mob
  • Iron Golem - Blacklisted mob
  • Dolphins - Impossible to transport via adventure zones.
  • Squid - Impossible to transport via adventure zones. 
  • Any hostile mobs - Impossible to keep in non-PVE zones.
  • Piglins - This includes in the nether, establishing piglin trading stations is NOT permitted.
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