Stock breeder and large herbivores : a relationship to be maintained

Abstract

Large herbivores' husbandry is changing, reducingthe human presence towards the animals when increasing,in the same time, the herd or flock sizes and developingoutdoors rearing conditions. What consequencesin the animal's reactions towards humans and handling?What solutions to propose? This text firstly presentsdifferent methods to evaluate the animalreactions to humans. Such methods allow to infer theanimal's perceptions of humans. This text also reviewsthe different factors of variation of the animal's reactionsto humans including genetics, experiential andsome human factors. Consequences for animal welfareand human work are emphasized. Practical or potentialsolutions to improve the farm animals-human relationshipsare discussed. Understanding the animals'perception of humans is essential for a good cohabitationbetween humans and farm animals. Humans couldintegrate the social environment of the farm animals.Unfortunately, this field of research still needs to beexplored.