Human contact and feeding as rewards for the lamb's affinity to their stockperson

Handling per se contributed to the development of lambs' affinity for their stockperson during individual tests, and could have calming and rewarding properties for the lambs. Neither feeding from a bucket during handling nor hunger state increased this affinity. Nevertheless, some association of the stockperson with the milk bucket seemed to occur, suggesting a food conditioning. The way of feeding the animals and their perception of the test as an alimentary situation are discussed.