PLoS One January 2016 PMID 25714604

Do lambs perceive regular human stroking as pleasant? Behavior and heart rate variability analyses.

Marjorie Coulon, Raymond Nowak, Julie Peyrat, Hervé Chandèze, Alain Boissy, Xavier Boivin

Mentions

20
Peak: 4 in Jun 2019
across 5 sources since Jun 2019

Extended reach

20,359
potential audience

Total likes

232

Video views

2,568

Mentions per month

Jun 2019 – Jul 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News8 articles
  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions feature statements like 'lambs being stroked showed slower heart rates,' indicating agreement with the positive effects reported in the study, and the phrase 'farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf' suggests concern or reflection on how human behavior influences animals' emotional perceptions, showing moderate engagement with the research implications based on tone and contextual framing.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the study's findings that gentle human contact benefits lambs' emotional states, as evidenced by the positive tone around lowered heart rates and behavioral relaxation.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show moderate curiosity, with comments highlighting key physiological and behavioral indicators, but few delve deeper into methodology or broader implications.

EngagementModerate engagement

There is a consistent effort to interpret the implications, such as the contrast drawn between caregiving and predatory behavior, demonstrating a thoughtful integration of physiological data with animal welfare topics.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion hints at the potential for improving animal welfare practices, emphasizing the significance of human-animal interactions and how they might influence farming standards.

Abstract in brief

  • Lambs perceive regular human stroking as pleasant, indicated by physiological measures like lower heart rate and higher heart rate variability (RMSSD), which suggest positive emotional states.
  • Behavioral responses, such as ear posture, time spent in contact with the caregiver, and reduced movement, also show that lambs feel more comfortable and relaxed when stroked.
  • Overall, both physiological and behavioral data support the idea that gentle tactile contact from humans is perceived positively by lambs, improving their welfare.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Andrew
@awr4645 · X

Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of their caregiver. Lambs being stroked showed slower heart rate which reflected positive emotional states compared to lambs left unstroked" https://t.co/tqsaiqAfUL

Jun 27, 2019 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 2,924 followers View post →
Hugh Mainley
@TheTrueCompton · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 9,599 followers View post →
Jeffrey DeeringⓋ
@jeffrey_deering · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 3,467 followers View post →
Nadia fox
@Nadiafo68846427 · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,777 followers View post →

All mentions

Nadia fox
@Nadiafo68846427 · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 1,777 followers View post →
Hugh Mainley
@TheTrueCompton · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 9,599 followers View post →
Jeffrey DeeringⓋ
@jeffrey_deering · X

RT @awright4645: Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of thei…

Jun 28, 2019 · 3 shares · 3,467 followers View post →
Andrew
@awr4645 · X

Farming: from trusted caregiver to predatory wolf. "Lamb heart rates decreased continuously while in the presence of their caregiver. Lambs being stroked showed slower heart rate which reflected positive emotional states compared to lambs left unstroked" https://t.co/tqsaiqAfUL

Jun 27, 2019 · 9 likes · 3 shares · 2,924 followers View post →