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The influence of positive human-animal interaction during rearing on the approach behaviour of young dairy heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

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Extract

Modern management of dairy heifers leads to lack of familiarisation with humans. Consequently when the dairy heifer calves and enters the milking herd in close contact with humans whom she innately fears, her productivity and welfare are at risk. The rearing period has potential for shaping the heifers experiences of people prior to the regular contact of milking where productivity can suffer and behaviour be disruptive. This experiment was to determine if positive treatment reduced fear of humans and if so if heifers generalise this response to other humans. The results will be used in further analysis relating to subsequent measures of behaviour, production and welfare associated with milking.

Type
Poster Session II
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2001

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References

Rushen, J., Taylor, A.A., de Passille, A.M., 1999. Domestic animals’ fear of humans & its affects on their welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 65, 285 – 303.Google Scholar