Document type: scientific summary available prior to publication in Animal
Authors: Charlotte Goursot, Sara Hintze, Maria Vilain Rørvang, Océane Schmitt, David Arney, Xavier Boivin, Anita Koni, Camille Montalcini, Ruth C. Newberry, Céline Tallet, Manja Zupan Šemrov, Sébastien Goumon
Abstract in French (translation): Review: The Role of Individuality and Social Life in Promoting Animalanimal welfare in Farmed Species
animal welfare (PAW) emphasizes “a fulfilling life,” characterized by the experience of predominantly positive emotional states, as well as the development of skills and resilience in accordance with the capabilities specific to each species and each individual. Although the concept of PAW has received increasing attention in recent years, guidelines for implementing future farming systems that support PAW are still lacking. As highly social species, farm animals have the potential to lead rich social lives that can influence their well-being. This phenomenon has often been studied from the perspective of negative interactions. However, to advance research on PAW, it is necessary to refocus attention on how affiliative interactions can help create and maintain positive group dynamics. Affiliative interactions are primarily based on social preferences, which, in turn, depend on the individuals involved and their contribution to group cohesion. Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual in terms of perception, cognition, and evaluation poses a challenge for ensuring animal welfare not only at the individual level but also at the group level. In this narrative review, we argue that combining the study of individuality with that of social life will generate practical knowledge that can be used to promote animal welfare . We first examine how individual differences in sensory and cognitive abilities shape vertebrates’ evaluation of their environment and influence PAW. We then address key characteristics of social life (intraspecific and interspecific), such as affiliative interactions, social facilitation, and socialization, as well as their relevance to PAW. Finally, we explore how the interaction between individuality and social life can create conditions conducive to animal well-being. To this end, we focus on the concepts of sociability and social competence, which represent promising avenues for future research. Overall, this review illustrates a complex framework arising from the interaction between individuality and social life, and paves the way for promoting animal welfare on farms as well as improving animal management.
Preview: Positive animal welfare (PAW) emphasises “a good life“ marked by the experience of predominantly positive affective states, and the development of competence and resilience according to species-specific and individual capabilities. Even though the concept of PAW has received increasing attention in past years, guidance for shaping future PAW-friendly farming systems is lacking. As highly social species, farmed animals have the potential to experience a rich social life that can influence their welfare. This has often been studied through the lens of negative interactions. However, to advance research on PAW, a focus shift on how affiliative interactions can contribute to and maintain positive group dynamics is needed. Affiliative interactions are mostly based on social preferences that are, in turn, dependent on the individuals involved and their contribution to group cohesion. Acknowledging the uniqueness of each individual in their perception, cognition and appraisal is a challenge for ensuring PAW not only at the individual level but also at the group level. In this narrative review, we argue that combining the study of individuality and social life will generate practical knowledge that can be used for promoting PAW. We first examine how individual differences in sensory and cognitive capabilities shape vertebrate animals’ appraisal of their environment and influence PAW. We then discuss key features of (intraspecific and interspecific) social life, such as affiliative interactions, social facilitation and socialisation, and their relevance for PAW. Finally, we explore how the interplay between individuality and social life can create conditions conducive to PAW. For this, we focus on the concepts of sociability and social competence as promising future research areas. Collectively, this review illustrates a complex framework emerging from the interplay between individuality and social life, and paves the way for promoting PAW on farms and improving animal management.
