Theme Social development Learning aims
Social behaviour is an important aspect of the life of many animals. Social interactions are generally necessary • gain insight in why domesticated animals show the social behaviour that they do, as deduced from
for mating, may help to securely forage, protect against predators and obtain information about the naturalistic studies.
environment. Work on social isolation early in life has shown that positive social interactions are necessary for
a proper development of social behaviour and emotionality later in life. Animals may even cooperate in Domesticated animals tend to exhibit social behaviors like their wild counterparts due to a combination of
breeding or foraging, yet animals may also use deception to prevent sharing or information stealing. This factors. These include the preservation of ancestral traits that are essential for survival and reproduction,
suggests that social interactions may also constrain an animal when resources are scarce and competition genetic continuity despite selective breeding, environmental similarities to natural habitats, the conservation
occurs. Indeed, aggression helps to compete over mates, food and to set a hierarchy in existing groups. In of social structures, behavioral plasticity, human selection for specific social traits, and the potential for
other words, social interactions are an important part of the animal’s life, particularly when living in a group, learning from their environment. These social behaviors have evolved and remain important in domesticated
and has important functions under natural conditions. Animals in husbandry systems are generally kept in animals, contributing to their well-being and adaptability in various settings.
groups that may differ in size and composition compared to that in natural situations. This mismatch can
result in problems when the animals are not able to adapt to this social situation. This adaptation may be • understand the costs and benefits of living in a group.
determined, in part, by early life conditions. Social skills are often acquired early in life and lack of proper
demonstrators may result in a poor development of social skills. The mother has a large effect on the ability of The advantages and disadvantages of group living for livestock animals depend on factors like species,
offspring to handle challenging social situations later in life, through prenatal effects and maternal care. management practices, and the environment. Benefits include increased protection from predators, social
Offspring may also directly learn (social) behaviours from the mother by different learning mechanisms. The interaction, resource sharing, and more efficient management. However, drawbacks can include disease
ability to adapt to the social environment later in life may be compromised by lack of information from the transmission, competition, injuries, social stress, and management challenges. Striking a balance is essential to
mother, as is the case in several husbandry systems. The functions of social behaviour and living in groups, ensure animal welfare and productivity.
linked to more specific issues in husbandry systems, will be discussed in the introductory lecture. Likewise, the
topic of information transmission between animals is addressed. A famous example of information transfer • have knowledge on animal health and welfare issues where social behavior and interactions between
was reported in 1953, when Japanese primatologists observed a female macaque washing sweet potatoes in animals play a major role (e.g. feather pecking, aggression).
water to remove sand from it and this habit slowly spread among other monkeys leading to cultural difference
between communities of macaques. To what extent do animals learn from each other and how stable is such Two examples include feather pecking in poultry, which can result from social stress and overcrowding, and
knowledge transfer? Information is provided on ways that animals use to obtain information from aggression in group-housed animals like pigs and cattle, often stemming from competition for resources and
conspecifics, such as direct learning through observation and participation, local and stimulus enhancement overcrowding. Proper management, including improved housing conditions and group composition, is crucial
and also more indirect learning through flavour conditioning. Such issues have practical relevance as learning for addressing these issues and ensuring the well-being of animals in agricultural and livestock settings.
not to be afraid or eat solid foods from parents and / or siblings may help piglets to cope with weaning.
Unwanted social behaviours in both production and companion animals are those related to fear, anxiety and • be familiar with the ways and mechanisms by which animals adopt preferences and behaviors from
aggression, and as such agonistic behaviours can be considered maladaptive. To better understand the others.
occurrence of such behaviour references are made to the natural situation and fundamental studies on
underlying mechanisms. This information may help to construct management strategies that allow animals to Animals adopt preferences and behaviors from others through various mechanisms, including observational
develop into relaxed and friendly individuals that are adapted to living in groups. learning, imitation, social facilitation, local enhancement, stimulus enhancement, cues from conspecifics,
social transmission of traditions, and teaching. These mechanisms allow animals to learn, adapt, and develop
Social behavior is essential for many animals, serving purposes like mating, foraging, protection, and cultural behaviors within their social groups.
information gathering. Early social interactions play a crucial role in proper development of social behavior
and emotions. Animals may cooperate or use deception in social contexts. Social interactions can also involve • be able to give examples of how perinatal conditions can cause enduring behavioural changes and
competition, including aggression for mates and resources. In husbandry systems, animals are often kept in provide likely underlying mechanisms.
groups, which can be challenging if they can't adapt. Social skills are typically learned early in life, influenced
by maternal care and learning mechanisms. Information transfer among animals is a key aspect, exemplified Perinatal conditions, such as maternal stress during pregnancy, early nutrition and growth, and maternal care,
by cultural differences in macaques. Learning from conspecifics is essential, including direct observation, can lead to lasting behavioral changes in livestock. These changes may affect stress responses, social
participation, and indirect conditioning. Understanding social behaviors is important for managing fear, behaviors, and feeding behaviors. The underlying mechanisms often involve epigenetic modifications,
anxiety, and aggression in production and companion animals, aiming for relaxed and friendly group living. particularly DNA methylation, which can influence gene expression and neural development. Adequate
perinatal care and nutrition are crucial for ensuring the long-term well-being and behavior of livestock
animals.
• have a basic knowledge of the (stress) neuroendocrinology associated with fear and aggression.
, In livestock, the neuroendocrinology associated with fear and aggression involves the complex interplay of Social learning in piglets and other animals
various hormones and neural pathways. Here is a basic overview of the key aspects:
Animals frequently have to adapt to new situations or learn new skills, and often they use information from
1. Stress Response and Fear: conspecifics to gain information about the new situation. This is often a more efficient way of learning than
a. When livestock animals perceive a threat or experience fear, their stress response is activated. learning through trial-and-error. A lot of research has been done on the transfer of information regarding
b. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a central component in this response. The food, as for many young animals it can be a challenge to decide what items to include in the diet after
hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the pituitary weaning. In most cases the mother is a good role-model as she is an experienced forager and the young
gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH, in turn, triggers the adrenal animal is likely to respond similarly to food items as its mother. Learning about what, where and how to eat
glands to produce stress hormones, primarily cortisol in mammals. could be of particular importance for piglets in commercial husbandry situations; giving piglets opportunities
c. Elevated cortisol levels help the animal cope with the perceived threat by increasing alertness to learn from their mother could prepare them to eat solid food, thereby reducing problems after weaning.
and energy. How animals can learn from each other and what they can learn is discussed in these lectures, both in pigs and
2. Aggression in other species. In addition, the opportunity to use social learning to ease the weaning transition in piglets is
a. Aggression in livestock can also be linked to stress, as animals may become aggressive when discussed.
competing for limited resources, such as food, water, or territory.
b. The underlying neuroendocrinology of aggression involves the interaction of various Learning aims
neurotransmitters and hormones.
c. For example, the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine can influence an After the lecture the student should be able to:
animal's aggressive behavior. Low serotonin levels have been associated with increased
aggression. • Describe the function of social learning.
3. Chronic Stress: • Explain why social learning could benefit piglets in husbandry situations and extrapolate to other
a. Chronic stress, which can be induced by factors like overcrowding, poor living conditions, or species.
social stress, has long-lasting effects on the neuroendocrine system.
b. Chronic stress can lead to dysregulation of the HPA axis, resulting in prolonged elevations of Social learning, the process by which individuals acquire new behaviors or information by observing and
cortisol. This, in turn, can negatively impact an animal's overall health and welfare. interacting with other members of their social group, can offer several benefits to piglets in husbandry
4. Animal Welfare: situations and can be extrapolated to other species. Here's an explanation of the advantages and the
a. Understanding the neuroendocrinology of stress, fear, and aggression is crucial for ensuring broader implications:
animal welfare.
b. Chronic stress and fear can have detrimental effects on the well-being of livestock, leading to Benefits for Piglets in Husbandry:
reduced growth rates, reproductive problems, and compromised immune function.
1. Feeding and Foraging Skills: Piglets can learn feeding and foraging skills by observing and mimicking the
In summary, stress, fear, and aggression in livestock involve the activation of the HPA axis, the release of behaviors of older, experienced group members. This can improve their ability to access and consume
cortisol, and the influence of various neurotransmitters and hormones. Chronic stress and fear can have food, leading to better nutrition and growth.
serious consequences for the health and welfare of livestock animals, highlighting the importance of proper 2. Social Skills: Social learning helps piglets develop important social skills. They learn about dominance
management practices and stress reduction strategies in agricultural settings. hierarchies, cooperation, and communication within the group. These skills are crucial for minimizing
conflicts and maintaining group stability.
• understand the concepts of emotional contagion and social support and why these concepts are 3. Exploration and Adaptation: Piglets can observe the behaviors of others to explore their environment
important for living in a group. and adapt to new situations. This is particularly important in husbandry settings where changes may
occur, such as shifts in housing or feeding routines.
Emotional contagion and social support are critical concepts for animals in group living. Emotional contagion 4. Stress Reduction: Being able to learn from conspecifics can reduce stress and fear in piglets. They can
allows for the rapid spread of emotions within a group, aiding in communication and coordination in response observe how older animals respond to various stimuli and learn appropriate stress coping mechanisms.
to threats or opportunities. Social support, provided through various mechanisms, reduces stress, promotes 5. Weaning and Behavioral Challenges: Social learning helps piglets cope with weaning, a significant
well-being, and fosters group cohesion. Together, these concepts enhance group dynamics, communication, transition in their lives. They can learn from older siblings or adults about the transition to solid food
and the overall ability of animals to thrive and adapt in social environments. and other changes in their routine.
Extrapolation to Other Species:
