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Cited by 751Animal Behavior and Welfare StudiesHuman-Animal Interaction StudiesGeographies of human-animal interactions

Assessing the human–animal relationship in farmed species: A critical review

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Waiblinger, Susanne, Boivin, Xavier, Pedersen, Vivi, Tosi, Maria-Vittoria, Janczak, Andrew M., Visser, E. Kathalijne, Jones, Robert Bryan·2006·Applied Animal Behaviour Science
DOI 10.1016/j.applanim.2006.02.001
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Abstract

The present paper focuses on six main issues. First, we briefly explain why an increased understanding of the human–animal relationship (HAR) is an essential component of any strategy intended to improve the welfare of farmed animals and their stockpersons. Second, we list the main internal and external factors that can influence the nature of the relationship and the interactions between human beings and farm animals. Third, we argue that the numerous tests that have been used to assess the HAR fall into three main categories (stationary human, moving human, handling/restraint), according to the degree of human involvement. Fourth, the requirements that any test of HAR must fulfil before it can be considered effective, and the ways in which the tests can be validated are discussed. Fifth, the various types of test procedures that have been used to assess the HAR in a range of farmed species are reviewed and critically discussed. Finally, some research perspectives that merit further attention are shown. The present review embraces a range of farmed animals. Our primary reasons for including a particular species were: whether or not general interest has been expressed in its welfare and its relationship with humans, whether relevant literature was available, and whether it is farmed in at least some European countries. Therefore, we include large and small ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats), pigs, poultry (chickens), fur animals (foxes, mink) and horses. Although horses are primarily used for sport, leisure or therapy they are farmed as draught, food or breeding animals in many countries. Literature on the HAR in other species was relatively scarce so they receive no further mention here.

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  • In poultry, high fear of humans was associated with reduced egg production, growth and product quality.

    “Similarly, in poultry, high fear of humans was associated with reduced egg production, growth and product quality [21].”

    From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

  • How an animal perceives human interactions is influenced by the nature of the interaction, previous experience with humans, temperament, motivational state, genetics and species.

    “How an animal perceives human interactions is not only influenced by the nature of the interaction but also by other variables, including previous experience with humans, temperament and motivational state, genetics and species [21,24,25].”

    From The visitor effect on zoo animals: implications and opportunities for zoo animal welfare (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

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Authors
Waiblinger, S., Boivin, X., Pedersen, V., Tosi, M.-V., Janczak, A. M., Visser, E. K., & Jones, R. B.
Affiliations
  • University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna (AT)
  • Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (FR)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
  • University of Milan (IT)
  • Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NO)
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Corresponding author
Waiblinger, Susanne
ORCID
Venue
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-12
Volume
101
Issue
3-4
Pages
185-242
ISSN
0168-1591 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.applanim.2006.02.001
OpenAlex
W2154154423
Cited by
751
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 32 · 2025: 38 · 2024: 47 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 80 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 30 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 36 · 2012: 22
FWCI
23.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Applied Animal Behaviour Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (submittedVersion)
  • INFM-OAR (INFN Catania) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (other-oa)
Funders
European Commission
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Human-Animal Interaction Studies
  • Social Sciences › Geography, Planning and Development › Geographies of human-animal interactions
Keywords
human-animal relations, livestock, animal welfare, human-animal interaction, assessment tests, test validation, restraint, handling, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, foxes, mink, horses

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