The relationship between the stockperson and the animal has a significant impact on the welfare of pigs, as the stockperson is one of the key factors in the animal's environment, affecting their physical and mentalstate. The type and number of interactions, especially in the early stages of life, have a strong influence on how pigs perceive humans throughout their lives. Negative interactions include anything that causes the animals fear and physical pain, while positive interactions include anything that does not cause them harm and that they perceive as something positive. Negative interactions increase the level of fear of humans, because we represent a stressor for pigs and this triggers certain physiological responses in the body. When frightened, pigs usually avoid humans, often freeze and their vocalizations are of significantly higher frequencies. The long-term secretion of glucocorticoids due to fear of humans is also reflected in reduced metabolic efficiency, poorer immunity, fertility and the quality of pig meat. On the contrary, positive interactions reduce the level of fear in pigs. Consequently, physiological stress responses are less frequent and the concentration of stress hormones in the body decrease. Positive interactions with people increase the trust of pigs in humans and reduce their level of anxiety, which encourages them to approach the stockperson independently. Positive interactions also improve reproductive success, with larger litters and enhanced maternal behaviour. The stockperson’s relationship towards pigs depends primarily on their attitude towards pigs and partly on their personality traits. Attitudes can be changed through appropriate methods and training. A good stockperson must have empathy, positive attitudes toward the animals as well as sufficient knowledge and experience in pig production to ensure the best possible animal welfare.
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