Jill R D MacKay
Papers
1
Total Citations
51
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1
About
Jill R. D. MacKay is a leading researcher in animal behavior and welfare science, with a particular focus on dairy cattle. Her work bridges the gap between controlled experimental settings and real-world animal experiences, exploring how fear responses and stress manifest in livestock. In her highly cited 2013 study, "Fear responses to novelty in testing environments are related to day-to-day activity in the home environment in dairy cattle," MacKay demonstrated that cattle’s reactions to novel situations—such as testing arenas—are directly linked to their natural behavior patterns on the farm, a finding that has garnered over 50 citations and reshaped welfare assessment methodologies. By integrating behavioral observation with statistical modeling, she has advanced understanding of how environmental factors influence animal emotional states. Her contributions are pivotal for developing more humane farming practices, and her work is frequently referenced in both applied ethology and veterinary science. MacKay’s research continues to inform how we measure and improve the well-being of production animals, making her a key voice in the field of animal welfare.
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Top Papers
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