Animal-human interaction comparing live human observation and digital image evaluation methodologies

On-farm welfare assessments have included animal-human interaction tests as an animal-based measure. Currently, the U.S. swine industry’s assessment program does not use include this test due to reliability concerns. The objective of this study was to build a device that would capture pig behaviors and proximity so that live human observation and digital image evaluation methods could be compared. A total of 27 pens housing ~10 pigs/pen, aged 7, 8-or 9-wk. Two methodology treatments were compared: TRT One; live human observation and TRT Two; digital image evaluation. For proximity (cm) from the observer’s index finger to each nursery pig, three treatments were compared; TRT One; “touch”, TRT Two; “look”, and TRT Three; “not.” Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Data for “not” postures and behaviors will be presented descriptively. Data used to evaluate snout and tail base proximity to the observer’s index finger were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. There were no (P > 0.05) differences between pigs classified in “touch”, “look”, and “not” categories between live human observation and digital image evaluation. There were no (P > 0.05) differences between pig sexes when classified as “touch”, “look”, and “not” within live human observation or digital image evaluation. More (P = 0.02) 8-wk old pigs touched the human than 7 and 9-wk old pigs, respectively, using the live human observation method but there were no (P > 0.05) differences between age of pig classified in “touch”, “look”, and “not” categories for digital image evaluation. The majority of pigs classified as “not” regardless of sex and age were standing, followed by sitting and head in feeder. The snout anatomical location for pigs classified as “touch” was closest (P < 0.0001) to the observer’s index finger, followed by “look” and “not.” The tail base for pigs classified as “touch” were closest (P < 0.0001) to the observer’s index finger than for