ANBI 411.3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Chicken, Feedlot, Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
20 Jun 2018
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Lecture 14: Breaking Social Bonds
What is a social bond?
- Mutual affectionate emotional attachment between 2 individuals that is relatively long
lasting and survives temporary separations
- This does not include temporary mating, only longer lasting relationships
- Usually include affiliative behaviors
oBehaviors that support cohesion of this animal unit: rubbing, grooming, play,
protection
oHave a calming effect on the animal
- Physiological effects involved with social bonds by moderating HPA axis
oReductions in heart rate
oReduction in cortisol
oImproved immune functioning
- Is the level of the bond identical between the 2 parties?
ono
othe bond can be specific to an individual
- is there a clear “point in time” when bonds break?
oNot necessarily a clear breaking point
oDeath could be immediate
oWeaning could be gradual
Breaking social bonds in humans:
- Emotional response
oWhat emotions might respond to breaking a social bond?
Anxiety, guilt
Anger, loneliness
Depression
oResults in:
Behavioral response
Physiological response
examples: cortisol levels increase, agitation, crying, sleep disorders, loss
of appetite, cognitive impairment, immune function goes down
oanimals?
do they have some of the same issues? harder to tell, depends on the
situation
Responses to separation
- when a bond breakage occurs, but there is motivation to reunite
olocomotion
ovocalization
odepression
- is there a danger in this behavior?
oThey could injure themselves, can attract predators
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- Is there a benefit?
oIncreases opportunity to reunite with their young
Responses to short-term separation
- Parent and young
- Response may differ depending on species
oRabbits- short separations are not considered highly stressful
oLams- short separation quite stressful
othese are different due to: rabbits are in the dam where as the lamb is by itself....
precocial animals vs. atricial young
Responses to long-term separation
- depends on species
- may adapt
oreturn to normal behaviors
- some mammalian species show prolonged grief at separation
ounresponsiveness, listlessness, head hanging, sunken eyes, cognitive
impairment, depressed immunity
- examples: elephants, people, chimpanzees, dolphins, some birds (geese, ravens)
- dogs: there is no evidence scientific that dogs to this, could be that they are reacting to
the owner’s behavior
Mother-offspring bonds in farm animals:
Species differences:
- livestock mostly
opolygynous
oprecocial
omeans mothers are responsible for care and bond with young
rhea`s- father is responsible for care (young bond to father)
geese and pigeons- both genders care for young (because mating for life)
Genetics
- genetic differences
- dairy cattle- young removed within 24 hours
ostress response of this, the calve is stressed but less then a beef calve
ocould be due to genetic selection
omore tolerant to adopting other calves
- beef cattle- extensive management
ostrong bonds between mother and young
opreference to rear own calves
Proximity
- strength of bond depends on: proximity of calf
ocomplicated
obonds can be based on visual, small, touch contact
oso contact is very important, where the young is is important
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litter size
- litter size in piglets
oinversely related to strength of attachment
oif there is 5 vs 10 she will bond stronger to the litter of 5
othe bigger the litter the weaker the bond
length of bond
- livestock in extensive situations
omay retain some of the bond
ocattle- less aggression at the feeder between mothers and daughters as
compared to unrelated cattle
Commercial livestock- other bonds
- siblings may show bonds
olambs housed with twins showed less distress when separated from ewe
olitter size likely affects strength of bond between siblings
- friendships (unrelated animals)
oprimates- friends can reduce depression and improve health under bond
breakage
osee these friendships in livestock
communal nesting in pigs
allowing unrelated animals to suckle
Broken bonds- Natural conditions
- death
- loss or separation of a youngster
- leaving of natal group
- if separation
othe longer the time the less chance of the bond being revived
- weaning
ogradual
ovarious ages
- weaning techniques
ofrequency of suckling reduced
oaggression- kicks them off
omother walks away- ignores them
omilk volume reduces
ocould be driven by the next mating cycle
- leaving of natal group
oanimals moving from their birth group to their new breeding or reproductive
groups
oif moving a far distance, bonds with original group break
oexample: horses between 1 and 4 years
broken bonds- farm conditions
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
