Abstract

Human factors are generally recognised as influential factors affecting the welfare and productivity of farm animals, and 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 farm animals is largely under volitional control, this behaviour 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, may affect the animals' productivity and welfare. It is the occurrence of a stress response in 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. The results of recent research in the intensive animal 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.

CA, Ford, MB Connett, and RJ Wilkins

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 53, , 167-170, 1993