The use of pigs vocalisation structure to assess the quality of human-pig relationship

Studying human-animal interactions in domestic species and how they affect the establishment of a positive Human-Animal Relationship (HAR) may help us improve animal welfare and better understand the evolution of interspecific interactions associated with the domestication process. Understanding and describing the quality of an HAR requires information on several aspects of the animal biology and emotional states (social, spatial and postural behaviours, physiological and cognitive states). Growing evidence shows that acoustic features of animal vocalisations may be indicators of emotional states. Here, we tested the hypothesis that vocal structure may indicate the quality of HAR. At weaning, 30 piglets were positively handled by an experimenter who talked to and physically interacted with them three times a day, while 30 other piglets only received the contact necessary for proper husbandry. After two weeks, we recorded the behaviours and vocalisations produced in the presence of the static experimenter for 5 min. We repeated this test two weeks later, after a conditioning period during which human presence with additional positive contacts was used as a reward for all piglets. We hypothesized this conditioning period would lead to a positive human-piglet relationship for all piglets. As expected, piglets that were positively handled at weaning expressed a higher attraction toward the experimenter, and, after the conditioning, piglets that were not positively handled at weaning expressed a similar level of attraction than the positively handled ones. Piglets positively handled at weaning produced shorter grunts than the other ones, regardless of the context of recording, which may indicate a more positive affect. During reunions with the static experimenter, a more positive HAR was associated with a decrease in vocal reactivity to human proximity. However, during reunions with the experimenter providing additional positive contacts and over the conditioning, spatial proximity to the human systematically triggered shorter and higher pitched grunts, which may indicate a more positive emotional state. Results first show that changes in vocal structure are consistent with indicators of positive states in the presence of a human. Second, these changes are stronger when the human positively interact with the piglets, supposedly emphasizing a higher positive arousal state during these interactions. We show that vocalisation structure may be a promising indicator of the quality of human-pig relationship

La relation des porcs aux humains en élevage : bases biologiques et impact des pratiques

Synthèse.The relationship between pigs and humans is at the heart of animal husbandry and is one of the pillars of the animal welfare issue. Indeed, humans, through their behaviour and their choices of practices, housing conditions and herd management, influence the mental state of their animals. This article aims to review the work in the field of pig farming. We first describe the impact of farming practices and management systems on the relationship between pigs and humans. Experiments have shown that many practices cause pain, anxiety and subsequent reactions of fear in piglets towards humans, even unknown ones. Other practices can be stressful (sorting) or positive (feeding) for animals. “Relational” practices, in the sense of practices aimed at developing a close relationship, reduce fear. We then describe impacts of categories of human interactions (auditory, visual, tactile) on pig behaviour. Human presence, at a rate of a few minutes per day, is sufficient to get a piglet used to humans. Talking to animals is essential, and has an impact even in utero. Piglets appreciate soft tactile contacts, caresses and scratches. Human presence, combined with positive interactions, thus gains a positive value, which creates a climate of trust and stimulates positive emotions that will improve animal welfare. Finally, we discuss the importance of considering pig behaviour to create a good relationship in pig farming and to train and give advice to farmers. Stimulating a good relationship (fearless and confident) will not only promote the welfare of pigs but also secure the work of farmers and improve their job satisfaction.La relation entre les porcs et les humains est au centre de l’élevage et est aujourd’hui un des piliers de la question du bien-être animal. En effet, l’humain, par son comportement et par ses choix de pratiques, de conditions de logement et de gestion du troupeau va influencer l’état mental de ses animaux. Cette synthèse se propose de faire le bilan des travaux sur la relation humain-animal dans le domaine de l’élevage porcin. Nous décrivons tout d’abord l’impact des pratiques et des modes d’élevage sur la relation à l’humain. Des expérimentations ont montré que certaines pratiques sont source de douleur et d’angoisse pour les porcelets, et provoquent des réactions ultérieures de peur vis-à-vis des humains, même inconnus. D’autres pratiques peuvent être stressantes (tri) ou positives (alimentation) pour les animaux. Des pratiques dites relationnelles, au sens de pratiques ayant pour but de développer une relation de proximité, vont diminuer la peur des humains et favoriser une relation de confiance. Nous décrivons ensuite l’impact des différentes catégories d’interactions humaines (auditives, visuelles, tactiles) sur le comportement des porcs. La présence humaine suffit à habituer un porcelet aux humains, à raison de quelques minutes par jour. Parler aux animaux est primordial, et a un impact même in utero. Les porcelets apprécient les contacts tactiles doux, caresses ou grattages. L’humain, associé à des interactions positives, va ainsi prendre une valeur positive, ce qui permettra d’instaurer un climat de confiance et pourra susciter des émotions positives favorables au bien-être animal. Finalement, nous discutons de l’importance de prendre en compte le comportement des porcs pour créer une bonne relation en élevage, et de la prise en compte de l’impact de la relation dans la formation et le conseil aux éleveurs. Favoriser une bonne relation (sans peur et en confiance) sera bénéfique non seulement pour le bien-être des porcs, mais aussi pour la sécurité et la satisfaction au travail des éleveurs

Flint in its diverse natural occurrences: geo-­‐tools for a better definition of the sourcing of secondary outcrops

International audiencePrecise identification of siliceous geo-resources used during prehistory still poses many problems, and archaeologists make ever-increasing demands for this data. The purpose is to provide a database containing an exact and descriptive identity for each different type of geological flint found within a region. The parameters we have chosen to characterize are the mineralogical composition (by optical microscopy, SEM, microprobe, cathodo-luminescence), microfacies characteristics (identified during microscopy and SEM image analysis), porosity measurements (by image analysis and porosimeter), and the presence and distribution of major and trace elements (using ICP, LA-ICP-MS, XRF, PIXE, Raman and SEM-EDS) at the surface or in the cracks in the matrix

Assessing walking posture with geometric morphometrics: Effects of rearing environment in pigs

International audienceRearing social animals like pigs in isolation from conspecifics can have consequences on behaviour and physiology. The aim of this experiment was to determine whether rearing conditions affect body postures. We adapted a method for quantitative evaluation of postures based on geometric morphometrics, developed in horses, for pigs and applied it in different conditions. Forty eight 75-day old females were reared either alone in 2.25 m2 pens (IH, N = 24 animals and 4 groups) or in groups of four in 4.64 m2 pens (GH, N = 24) for two weeks. They were habituated to human handling (stroking, speaking) and marking on their backs every day, and tested individually once a day for 10 min in a corridor outside the home pen during the two subsequent weeks. We observed their behaviour and posture during the first exposure to the test (novelty), and the fourth and fifth (after habituation). On the sixth and seventh tests, a familiar stockperson was present in the corridor (human presence). Before each test, the animals were marked with seven landmarks along their length, corresponding to anatomical points and easily located. An experimenter took pictures of the animals walking along the corridor, and these pictures were transferred to tps software for analysis. GH animals were more often active in the rearing pen than IH (median (IQ) 15% of observations [12-20%] versus 2% [0-13%]; P < 0.05). All animals except one IH initiated contact with the handler during the last sessions of handling (Fisher's exact test, ns). Principal Component Analyses revealed significant effects of rearing and testing conditions on pigs’ behaviour and posture. Novelty led to fewer vocalisations and more exploration for IH than GH animals (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between treatments after habituation to the testing situation. The backs of IH animals were more rounded than those of GH (P < 0.05; dimension 1 of PCA), independently of the test condition. Human presence had no effect on posture. In conclusion, the method based on geometric morphometrics that we developed to study pig posture detected variations in walking posture in pigs associated with rearing conditions. Postures might reflect affective states in pigs, as shown in other species, but further studies are needed to verify thi

Classification of pig calls produced from birth to slaughter according to their emotional valence and context of production

Vocal expression of emotions has been observed across species and could provide a non-invasive and reliable means to assess animal emotions. We investigated if pig vocal indicators of emotions revealed in previous studies are valid across call types and contexts, and could potentially be used to develop an automated emotion monitoring tool. We performed an analysis of an extensive and unique dataset of low (LF) and high frequency (HF) calls emitted by pigs across numerous commercial contexts from birth to slaughter (7414 calls from 411 pigs). Our results revealed that the valence attributed to the contexts of production (positive versus negative) affected all investigated parameters in both LF and HF. Similarly, the context category affected all parameters. We then tested two different automated methods for call classification; a neural network revealed much higher classification accuracy compared to a permuted discriminant function analysis (pDFA), both for the valence (neural network: 91.5%; pDFA analysis weighted average across LF and HF (cross-classified): 61.7% with a chance level at 50.5%) and context (neural network: 81.5%; pDFA analysis weighted average across LF and HF (cross-classified): 19.4% with a chance level at 14.3%). These results suggest that an automated recognition system can be developed to monitor pig welfare on-farm.publishedVersio

A map and a database for flint-bearing formations in Southern France: A tool for Petroarchaeology

Une carte des principales formations à silex du sud de la France est en cours de réalisation. Elle propose, à tous les préhistoriens, une base nécessaire au développement d’études interrégionales sur la circulation des silex. Elle est le fruit d’une collaboration entre des acteurs impliqués dans la problématique de caractérisation de la provenance des silex. Elle regroupe les résultats de leurs prospections systématiques ou ciblées dans six régions (Aquitaine, Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrénées, Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, Rhône-Alpes). Elle intègre, en plus, le dépouillement d’un grand nombre de documents : i) les principaux articles et thèses traitant des formations à silex du sud de la France ; ii) plus de 200 fiches issues de la base de données du sous-sol BSS du BRGM, qui permettent de visualiser des logs ou des documents scannés ; iii) 529 cartes géologiques à 1/50 000 et leurs notices. La carte est organisée en trois couches de données superposables : une carte des affleurements ou gîtes primaires, une carte des altérites et des formations superficielles remaniées et une carte des formations alluviales. La carte existera dans deux versions numériques aisément actualisables : une version dans un format PDF et une version sous la forme d’un SIG. C’est l’ensemble de la formation contenant le ou les même(s) type(s) de silex qui est prise en compte, le terme de formation désignant un terrain possédant des caractères communs et qui constitue un ensemble cartographiable. Chacune des formations recensées fait l’objet d’une notice simplifiée qui décrit l’encaissant et - le ou les - type(s) de silex présent(s). Ces notices descriptives et explicatives contiennent des photos à toutes les échelles (de la formation à l’échelle microscopique). Des références bibliographiques géologiques et archéologiques complèteront chaque notice. La version définitive de ces notices constituera un atlas. Les archéologues et géologues disposeront ainsi de fiches descriptives pour chaque type de silex et son encaissant. Elles serviront aux diagnoses analytiques (structures, textures et compositions minéralogiques).A map of the main flint bearing formations in the South of France is under construction. It will provide an essential basis to develop interregional studies about flint procurements and travels. It results from collaboration between actors involved in topic flint sourcing. It includes results of their systematic surveys and studies in six regions (Aquitaine, Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon, Midi-Pyrenees, Provence-Alpes - Côte d’Azur, Rhône-Alpes). Moreover, it includes a large number of associated data : i) The main papers and those dealing with flint bearing formations of southern France, ii) more than 200 records from the under-soil database BSS BRGM, which give access to logs or scanned documents iii) 529 geological maps at 1/50 000 and their leaflets. The map is organized in three superimposed layers : a map of outcrops or primary deposits, a map of surficial weathered formation and a revised map of alluvial formations. The map is available in two versions which are easily updatable : a PDF version and an interactive GIS version. In this document, every formation containing the same type (s) (s) of flint is taken into account and forms a mappable entity. Every listed formation is linked to a text which describes the parent rock and/or the type(s) of flint(s). These records contain descriptive and explanatory pictures at different scale (naked eye to microscopic scale). Geological and archaeological references complement every record. The final version will constitute an atlas. Archaeologists and geologists will find description sheets of every type of flint and bearing rock. They will help for analytical diagnoses (structure, texture and mineralogical composition)

Observer les animaux : un outil pour diagnostiquer et proposer des adaptations pour le bien-être animal en élevage.

National audienc

Mécanismes comportementaux d'établissement de l'affinité pour le soigneur : étude sur agneaux élevés en allaitement artificiel

Soutenue le 2 février 2006 Diplôme : Dr. d'UniversitéHuman caregivers can develop relationships with domestic animals, particularly farm animals, and therefore play a role in animal welfare. Our aim was to determine the mechanism(s) underlying the development of affinity to the caregiver (motivation to approach). Lambs which were artificially suckled were used as models. Artificial suckling facilitates the development of affinity, particularly through human contacts (physical contact, feeding). We tested the hypothesis of an attachment, i.e. emotional relationship based on appeasing properties of the attachment figure, and the hypothesis of a conditioning, i.e. association of the caregiver with a reward. We did not consider these hypotheses as exclusive. No need to reinforce the development of affinity, appeasement and increased exploration in the presence of the caregiver, and distress following separation are all expressions of a possible attachment. A need to associate the caregiver with a reinforcement (i.e. food), a search for this reinforcement when approaching the caregiver, increase of affinity with hunger and decrease of affinity when the reinforcement is absent are all expressions of a conditioning. In a first methodological part, we showed that behavioural responses to the caregiver in an individual test performed in an unfamiliar pen are repeatable, thus validating the use of this test. We then showed that affinity can develop without association between the caregiver and feeding, even if feeding can accelerate the development. We observed behaviours suggesting an attachment to a caregiver (appeasement when the caregiver was present, distress after separation, return towards the caregiver following a frightening event) who was not associated with an external reinforcement. We conclude that the reinforcing role of feeding is not essential in the development of affinity to the caregiver in lambs. The intrinsic properties of the caregiver are sufficient for the expression of behaviours that suggest an attachment has developed.L'homme fait partie intégrante du monde relationnel des animaux domestiques, notamment des animaux de rente. Il a donc un rôle à jouer dans leur bien/mal-être. L'objectif de cette thèse était de déterminer par quel(s) mécanisme(s) l'affinité pour le soigneur (motivation pour rechercher sa présence) peut se développer. Le modèle d'étude était les agneaux allaités artificiellement. L'allaitement artificiel est favorable au développement de l'affinité du fait des contacts donnés par le soigneur (physiques, alimentation). Nous avons confronté l'hypothèse d'un attachement, relation émotionnelle qui donne à la figure d'attachement une valeur apaisante, à celle d'un conditionnement, association du soigneur à un renforcement, sans les considérer comme exclusives. Le développement d'une affinité en l'absence de renforcement externe, l'apaisement et l'augmentation de l'exploration en présence du soigneur, la détresse de la séparation, sont des manifestations d'un possible attachement. Le développement d'une affinité par association du soigneur à un renforçateur (ici l'alimentation), la recherche de ce renforçateur au contact du soigneur, l'augmentation de l'affinité liée à un état de faim, l'extinction en l'abscence de ce renforçateur sont des manifestations d'un conditionnement. Dans une première partie méthodologique, nous avons montré que les réponses au soigneur dans un test individuel en environnement nouveau sont répétables, ce qui valide l'utilisation de ce test. Nous avons ensuite montré que l'affinité peut se développer sans association du soigneur à l'alimentation, même si l'alimentation pourrait accélérer le phénomène. Des comportements supportant l'existence d'un attachement au soigneur (recherche de son contact, apaisement en sa présence, détresse après une séparation, retour vers lui après un évènement anxiogène) ont été observés alors que le soigneur n'était associé à aucun renforçateur externe. En conclusion, le rôle de renforçateur de l'alimentation n'est pas déterminant dans l'affinité des agneaux pour les soigner. Les propriétés intrinsèques au soigneur suffisent à l'expression de comportement suggérant l'existence d'un attachement