Génétique et adaptation comportementale chez les ruminants: Perspectives pour améliorer le bien-être en élevage

Abstract

In a first section, we bring evidence that genetic factors underlie social behaviour and fear responsiveness in herbivores, and we outline current knowledge about how genes control the adaptive behaviour in livestock. The possibility for including behavioural criteria in current breeding programmes is also discussed. In a second section, we discuss problems that may hinder the genetic evaluation and the application of behavioural traits for genetic selection in livestock. They include the absence of validation in experimental designs for measuring behavioural abilities, the complexity of behavioural responses, and the interactions between genetic factors and environmental influences that limit the consistency in behavioural traits. Some possible welfare consequences of current breeding programmes are also considered.