Most studies of farm animal welfare have been carried out in intensive conditions. Considering the welfare of extensively farmed animals therefore raises questions of perceptions, processes and priorities. There are general perceptions that we are not responsible for the welfare of wild animals and that extensive conditions are good for welfare compared with intensive conditions. Yet there can be many problems for animals in extensive conditions, and these are clearly our responsibility. There has been considerable progress in understanding problems for welfare, and it is reasonable to expect that the processes known about will operate in all conditions. However, in extrapolating from intensive to extensive conditions the importance of exact circumstances should be remembered. Identification of priorities for the welfare of extensively farmed animals requires a systematic effort, which will be helped by collaboration with disciplines such as behavioural ecology.