Sheep bond over stressful experiences such as being sheared or rounded up by ... trends now
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Humans often form strong bonds after going through tough times together.
Now a study has shown a similar experience among sheep who are sheared, rounded up by a dog or driven in a trailer.
Researchers found the animals prefer the company of other sheep who went through the stressful experience with them.
They tested 70 ewes in groups of ten, with half undergoing stressful experiences and the others spared them.
When the stressed sheep were placed in a paddock afterwards, they stood 14 inches closer to each other on average than to the non-stressed animals.
A study has found that sheep prefer the company of other sheep when they go through the stressful experience of either being sheared, rounded up by a dog or driven in a trailer
Senior study author Dr Dana Campbell said: 'Sheep appear to bond over stressful experiences – and may help to reduce each others' stress.'
The animal behaviour scientist, based at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia, added: 'It is just more evidence that sheep are not stupid – they are actually pretty clever.'
Researchers tested the animals in groups of ten, with five of each group undergoing stressful farmyard activities.
These included being herded by a sheepdog for two five-minute sessions, and being twice
