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Social Behaviour in Farm Animals
304
BOOK REVIEWS
excellent resource for students and practicing veterinarians interested in equine structure. The large size of the book may make it unsuitable for use in the laboratory by students, but students and clinicians alike should find it useful for quick,
doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0690, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Social Behaviour in Farm Animals Eds. Keeling, L. and Gonyou, H. Wallingford, CABI Publishing, 2001. 432pp. £60.00 (hard) ISBN 0851993974
This is the only current book devoted to examining social behaviour in farm animals, which is surprising given the subject's important welfare and economic implications. It is often assumed that the study of farm animal behaviour is somehow less interesting than that of wild animals. This book highlights how false this view is ± the 14 chapters cover a fascinating range of perspectives and topics, all written by leading authorities. The fact that both theoretical and applied aspects of farm animal social behaviour are considered in one volume makes this a particularly valuable read. The editors define social behaviour as `behaviour which is influenced by the presence or absence of another individual', although sexual activity is not considered in detail. In agriculture, humans select social groupings and manipulate stock behaviour to a great degree. However, this book illustrates that a basic understanding of animal behaviour, and an appreciation of the evolutionary pressures that have shaped it, is essential if animals are to be managed without welfare and productivity being compromised. The book is divided into three parts. The first section deals with fundamental concepts in social behaviour. An evolutionary perspective on group living, communication and relationships within groups, parental behaviour and domestication are considered. Although fairly theoretical, these chapters summarize sometimes difficult theories in a clear, readable way and form a useful
accurate reference. With this book the authors achieved their aims and students, as well as clinicians will find it useful, appealing and easy to use. A. J. BEZUIDENHOUT
foundation for the remainder of the book. The second part addresses the social behaviour of a different farm animal species, or group of species, in each chapter. The major food providers are covered: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and (this reviewer is very pleased to see) fish. There is also a chapter on horses, and although at first sight this appears a somewhat strange inclusion, it is a particularly fascinating discussion. The final section of the book considers `contemporary topics in social behaviour'. Here some topical issues relating to social behaviour are discussed ± breaking social bonds, individuality or personality in animals, the human±animal relationship and animal cognition. The importance of understanding social behaviour for farm animal welfare can hardly be overemphasized and, as the editors point out, moving away from confinement systems to loose group ± housing systems means that improved knowledge in this area is vital. I am glad that the book gives a reasonable amount of consideration to behaviour in commercial environments, as scientific books on farm animal ethology often lack relevance and applicability to industry. One slight criticism would be that, in the second part addressing the behaviour of different farmed animal species, some chapters could have gone further in discussing the different types of husbandry systems found commercially and their implications for social behaviour. Nevertheless, this book represents a very comprehensive and satisfying review of farm animal social behaviour, and will be of great interest to anyone who studies, or works with, livestock. ABIGAIL HALL
doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0684, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Veterinary Anesthesia Cornick-Seahorn, J.L. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001. 318 pp. £18.99 (soft) ISBN 0705062277
This small book is one of `The Practical Veterinarian' series, which sets out to provide a practical and
BOOK REVIEWS
excellent resource for students and practicing veterinarians interested in equine structure. The large size of the book may make it unsuitable for use in the laboratory by students, but students and clinicians alike should find it useful for quick,
doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0690, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Social Behaviour in Farm Animals Eds. Keeling, L. and Gonyou, H. Wallingford, CABI Publishing, 2001. 432pp. £60.00 (hard) ISBN 0851993974
This is the only current book devoted to examining social behaviour in farm animals, which is surprising given the subject's important welfare and economic implications. It is often assumed that the study of farm animal behaviour is somehow less interesting than that of wild animals. This book highlights how false this view is ± the 14 chapters cover a fascinating range of perspectives and topics, all written by leading authorities. The fact that both theoretical and applied aspects of farm animal social behaviour are considered in one volume makes this a particularly valuable read. The editors define social behaviour as `behaviour which is influenced by the presence or absence of another individual', although sexual activity is not considered in detail. In agriculture, humans select social groupings and manipulate stock behaviour to a great degree. However, this book illustrates that a basic understanding of animal behaviour, and an appreciation of the evolutionary pressures that have shaped it, is essential if animals are to be managed without welfare and productivity being compromised. The book is divided into three parts. The first section deals with fundamental concepts in social behaviour. An evolutionary perspective on group living, communication and relationships within groups, parental behaviour and domestication are considered. Although fairly theoretical, these chapters summarize sometimes difficult theories in a clear, readable way and form a useful
accurate reference. With this book the authors achieved their aims and students, as well as clinicians will find it useful, appealing and easy to use. A. J. BEZUIDENHOUT
foundation for the remainder of the book. The second part addresses the social behaviour of a different farm animal species, or group of species, in each chapter. The major food providers are covered: cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep and (this reviewer is very pleased to see) fish. There is also a chapter on horses, and although at first sight this appears a somewhat strange inclusion, it is a particularly fascinating discussion. The final section of the book considers `contemporary topics in social behaviour'. Here some topical issues relating to social behaviour are discussed ± breaking social bonds, individuality or personality in animals, the human±animal relationship and animal cognition. The importance of understanding social behaviour for farm animal welfare can hardly be overemphasized and, as the editors point out, moving away from confinement systems to loose group ± housing systems means that improved knowledge in this area is vital. I am glad that the book gives a reasonable amount of consideration to behaviour in commercial environments, as scientific books on farm animal ethology often lack relevance and applicability to industry. One slight criticism would be that, in the second part addressing the behaviour of different farmed animal species, some chapters could have gone further in discussing the different types of husbandry systems found commercially and their implications for social behaviour. Nevertheless, this book represents a very comprehensive and satisfying review of farm animal social behaviour, and will be of great interest to anyone who studies, or works with, livestock. ABIGAIL HALL
doi: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0684, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Veterinary Anesthesia Cornick-Seahorn, J.L. Oxford Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001. 318 pp. £18.99 (soft) ISBN 0705062277
This small book is one of `The Practical Veterinarian' series, which sets out to provide a practical and