Improving productivity with better stock handling
P.H. Hemsworth, J.L. Barnett, G.J. Coleman
Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Department of Agriculture, 475
Mickleham Rd, Attwood, 3049, Victoria, Australia
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 211-314
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.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Human attitude; human behaviour; handling; fear; stress; welfare;
productivity.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
