The practical implications of animals responses to man (specifically effects on production parameters)

Extract

The paper outlines the major problems in scientifically assessing the nature and quality of the man-animal interface and the difficulties in isolating its effects on animal production. Research epistemologies in this area are thwart with difficulties as it is virtually impossible to isolate individual factors. For example, while it is possible to devise ‘pleasant’ and ‘unpleasant’ handling treatments; as defined by level and nature of the physical interaction of the human body with that of the animal; it is not possible to separate physical handling from aspects such as voice tones, gestures, smell, sound of foot movements, or other ‘vibes’ transmitted in the experiment. Thus, any changes in ‘production’ may arise from a number of inter-woven components. It is also of relevance that the quality of the man-animal interface is a perceived construct and that the animal may perceive both applied ‘pleasant’ and ‘unpleasant’ stimuli as undesirable. Limitations of research paradigms are raised, for example, in experimental situations the environment may well be ‘richer', and with more humans present, than in commercial situations. The nature of the interface may thus be somewhat different.