Rams recognize and prefer the human who regularly brushed them

Chaumont, Salomé; Freitas‐de‐Melo, Aline; Pinto-Santini, Livia; Menant, Ophélie; Zambra, N.; Ungerfeld, Rodolfo

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105250

Cited by 9 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 31 publications

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“…Human–animal interactions are an inevitable element of animal production [ 4 ], and both positive and negative experiences play a significant role in animal welfare and production [ 1 , 5 ]. As highlighted by Chaumont et al [ 6 ], the creation of a positive relationship with sheep, which exhibit a particularly high level of fear of unfamiliar humans, may be quite challenging. Gentle interactions between humans and animals trigger positive behavioral responses [ 7 , 8 ] but do not always prove effective in some cases [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological Effect of Gentle Stroking in Lambs

Janicka,

Masier,

Nazar

et al. 2024

Animals

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The aim of the study was to determine changes in physiological indicators in lambs subjected to gentle stroking. The study included 40 three-week-old lambs (20 females of the synthetic prolific-meat (BCP) line and 20 females of the Świniarka (SW) breed). The animals were assigned to two control groups (n = 20) and two experimental groups (n = 20). Lambs from the experimental groups received treatment. Analyses consisted of determining the following parameters: heart rate (HR), saturation (S) and biochemical analysis. In the groups of sheep subjected to gentle massage, the analyses revealed a significant increase in the levels of cortisol, CAT, GST, GPx, among others, and a significant decrease in the levels of total protein, SOD, TAC, uric acid and Na+. At the same time, indicators of reduced stress levels were revealed, i.e., a significant increase in glycogen levels and a significant decrease in glucose and HR values. These results suggest that the introduction of gentle touch can induce positive states in lambs, and that the stress response may be transient and adaptive. Nevertheless, it is important to note that these interactions can be a source of stress, even if the behavioral response does not necessarily indicate stress.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological Effect of Gentle Stroking in Lambs

Janicka,

Masier,

Nazar

et al. 2024

Animals

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Do sheep (Ovis aries) discriminate human emotional odors?

Larrigaldie,

Damon,

Mousqué

et al. 2024

Anim Cogn

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While sheep can detect and discriminate human emotions through visual and vocal cues, their reaction to human body odors remains unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether sheep (Ovis aries) can detect human odors, olfactorily discriminate stressed from non-stressed individuals, and behave accordingly based on the emotional valence of the odors. Axillary secretions from 34 students were collected following an oral examination (stress odor) or a regular class (non-stress odor). Fourteen female and 15 male lambs were then exposed to these odors through a habituation-dishabituation procedure. The habituation stimulus was presented four times for one minute, followed by the dishabituation stimulus presented once for one minute. Behavioral variables included spatiality relative to target odors, approach/withdrawal, ear positioning, sniffing, ingestion, and vocalization. Both female and male lambs more often positioned their ears backwards/forwards, and asymmetrically when exposed to the dishabituation stimulus, but regardless of their stress or non-stress value. They also changed their approach behavior when exposed to the dishabituation stimuli. Lambs displayed some behavioral signs of discrimination between the habituation and dishabituation odors, but regardless of their relation to stress or non-stress of human donors. In sum, this exploratory study suggests that young sheep respond negatively to the odor of unfamiliar humans, without showing any specific emotional contagion related to the stress odor. This exploratory study suggests young ovines can detect human body odor, a further step toward understanding the human-sheep relationship.

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