Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
including the establishment of a chronic stress in sows, which is detrimental for the
reproductive axis, difficulties for stockpersons to efficiently perform husbandry tasks,
and nervousness of the sows that may induce piglet crushing shortly after farrowing. The
quality of these interactions not only influences the welfare and performance of the sows
and piglets but also the way stockpersons perceive their work. Once more, various types
of mechanisms may be involved, including the contagion of emotions between humans
and animals, and the stockperson satisfaction to perform properly a task or to obtain
better reproductive performance from the animals. Therefore, improving the quality of
the interactions should benefit both the humans and the animals. Various levers could be
activated to improve these interactions. As demonstrated by Hemsworth and co-workers,
improving the attitudes of stockpersons by learning programs holds much promise
(Coleman
et al.,
2000). Improving the conception of buildings and equipment should
also contribute to better human-animal interactions. This is of particular importance
when transferring pigs from one pen or building to another (Hemsworth, 2007). The
organization of the tasks to be done and decisions regarding the management of the
piggery are also of importance since they will influence the workload and hence the
ability for stockpersons to work with ease.
References
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