Les liens sociaux chez les ruminants d'élevage : Limites et moyens d'action pour favoriser l'intégration de l'animal dans son milieu

Abstract

Social relationships in domestic ruminants:constraints and means for the integration ofthe animal into its environment. Domestic ruminants belong to gregarious species.Their social organisation is characterised by stabledominance-subordination relationships which help tosolve numerous conflicts in animal husbandry causedby the proximity of individuals. The social organisationis also characterised by preferential relationshipswhich are responsible for the cohesion of the group. Inruminants, affinities include spatial proximity, reducedaggressiveness, enhanced positive interactions andtolerance in competitive situations. Preferential relationships are of economic importance as they reducethe unfavourable consequences of dominance relationships on subordinates. In addition, preferential relationships strongly help the animal to cope with the farmed environment since social partners influence individual reactivity to external events. In the course of its life span, the animal develops arange of preferential relationships with several partners. During the postnatal period, the young herbivoretakes actively part in the establishment of an exclusiverelationship with its dam. Later, even if the bond withthe dam remains strong, the young develops preferential relationships with other partners, particularlytwins and siblings. A few months after birth, young areweaned by the farmers who separate them from thedam. Such abrupt weaning seems to increase temporarily the social motivation since the weaned animalstrengthens bonds with peers as well as with humans insome cases. Changes in social bonds are also observedin adulthood: social attraction decreases in femalesaround parturition which isolate themselves from theherd to give birth. A better knowledge of the development of socialbonds in domestic ruminants can help to define animalhusbandry practices that take into account the socialneeds of animals. In addition, one might favour thedevelopment of preferential relationships during sensitive periods, and this could be used to alleviate problems due to social pressure and will no doubt be beneficial in terms of animal welfare.