The Human-Animal Relationship in Agriculture and Its Consequences for the Animal

Abstract

Although human factors are recognized as influential factors affecting the welfare and productivity of farm animals, only limited research has been conducted to identify these important human characteristics and to quantify their effects. During the last 13 years we have studied two apparently important human factors: the attitude and the behaviour of stockpersons towards farm animals.We have proposed that in intensive animal production systems there are some important sequential relationships between the attitude and behaviour of the stockperson towards farm animals and the behaviour, performance and welfare of farm animals. Basically we have suggested that because a stockperson's behaviour towards animals is largely under volitional control it is strongly influenced by the attitudes and beliefs that the stockperson holds about the animals. Furthermore, the stockperson's behaviour towards animals affects the animals’ fear of humans which, in turn, affects the animals’ productivity and welfare. It is the occurrence of a stress response by animals which are highly fearful of humans which places their productivity and welfare at risk We have published data which strongly support these interrelationships between human attitude and behaviour and animal behaviour, productivity and welfare. This paper reviews this and other research on this subject. The results of research in the pig industry and to a lesser extent, the poultry industries indicate the excellent opportunity which exists to improve animal productivity and welfare by training and selecting stockpersons to have desirable attitudinal and behavioural profiles towards farm animals.

Historical changes in the distribution of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Sichuan Province, China

“…With a noticeable increase in livestock, roads, farmland, and other human activities, the impact of human actions on the habitat of the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey has become increasingly apparent. Concurrently, wildlife exhibit strong avoidance behaviors towards livestock, roads, and farmland when selecting their habitats (Hemsworth et al, 1993).…”

“…With a noticeable increase in livestock, roads, farmland, and other human activities, the impact of human actions on the habitat of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey has become increasingly apparent. Concurrently, wildlife exhibit strong avoidance behaviors towards livestock, roads, and farmland when selecting their habitats (Hemsworth et al., 1993 ). The rapid expansion of the human population is likely one of the primary reasons contributing to the shrinking distribution range of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey.…”

Application of animal-based welfare quality assessment protocol to growing pig farms in South Korea in comparison with the European nations

“…In addition, all farms were categorized as "excellent." According to Hemsworth et al [15], pigs associate a satisfying experience of feeding with humans, and this results in pigs being less fearful of humans. Visual contact with humans may occur when farmers are in the same place as their animals [13].…”

Never wake a sleeping broiler : An undisturbed natural resting pattern in broilers

“…It was sometimes difficult to identify the behaviour of the chickens on the video recordings, especially when their yellow down matched the substrate of wood shavings. However, human presence could influence the behaviour of the animals during behavioural observations (Hemsworth et al, 1993). Therefore, video recording is more likely to show the true behaviours of the broilers as there are no people present in the facility to influence the birds.…”