The RSPCA has found that a clear majority of farmers talk or play music to their animals, as they feel it makes them more relaxed, calm and content. Following a survey conducted to run alongside the RSPCA ‘Freedom Foods’ label’s Farm Animal Week  revealed that 77 per cent of 249 farmers questioned either play music, radio, sing or chat to their animals. 

The survey revealed almost half of farmers play music or the radio to their animals. Furthermore, over 60 per cent of all farmers - and an impressive 75 per cent of dairy farmers - surveyed said they talk to their animals. The RSPCA said typical conversations include “the weather, how they or their animals are feeling and general idle chit-chat.”

The farmers’ belief that this aids animal welfare may have some scientific support. Evidence gathered by researchers at Writtle College, Essex showed listening to the radio can improve pigs’ behaviour. The researchers found that playing a radio tuned into pop music or a chat station had a positive effect on sow and piglet behaviour, by increasing sow suckling and causing piglets to be more playful.

Farmers said playing music in particular helped create a relaxed atmosphere, which is important for both animals and stock handlers.

RSPCA farm animal scientist Dr Marc Cooper commented, “Chatting to farm animals may sound daft but farm animals are intelligent, sentient beings and respond well to positive interaction. There is a clear welfare message behind the survey. The farmers said that their animals are more content, relaxed and calm when they interact with them in this way.”

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