Effect of gentle physical contact on behavioural indicators in sheep

• Published in: Animal (Cambridge, England) England), 2023-09, Vol.17 (9), p.100924-100924, Article 100924
• Main Authors: Sokołowski, J., Janicka, K., Zięba, G., Junkuszew, A., Rozempolska-Rucińska, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ethology; Ewe; Human-Animal Relationship; Massage; Socialisation
• ISSN: 1751-7311; 1751-732X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100924

•Lambs of two breeds were applied soft touch and its impact on behaviour was judged.•Gentle tactile contact modified sheep behavioural response.•The change in behaviour was shown by increased curiosity and reduced anxiety levels.•The effect of tactile contact was marked more quantitatively than qualitatively.•Results suggest that gentle touch is liable for creating human-animal relationships. The available literature provides ample evidence for the importance of gentle treatment and handling of farm animals for establishment of relationships with humans. The present study is an attempt to verify the assumption that massage can be a tool for building sheep-human relationships and to determine the impact of this technique on the behaviour of lambs. In total, 40 3-week-old lambs (20 ewes of the BCP synthetic prolific-meat line and 20 Świniarka breed ewes) were assigned to two control groups (BCP, Świniarka) and two experimental groups (BCP, Świniarka). The lambs from the experimental groups received modified Shantala massage. During each session, the zoophysiotherapists massaged the chest, forelimbs, abdomen, hindlimbs, back, and face always in the same way and the same order. The massage was applied three times a day (at fixed times) for 21 consecutive days. Based on the behaviour manifested by the lambs during the massage sessions, a 2-point scale was developed for assessment of the animals from the research groups. After the massage, behavioural tests with the participation of a human, a dog, and a novel object were carried out for three consecutive days. Behaviours indicating curiosity (frequency of interaction, time of direct contact, latency) and fear (frequency of climbing and attempts to escape, duration of vocalisation) were assessed. The behavioural tests revealed significant differences in the behaviour of massaged and non-massaged lambs of both breeds, which confirms that the massage has a modifying effect on the behaviour of these animals. The influence of the applied technique was reflected by an increase in curiosity and a reduced level of fear.