SOP & Protocoles
Human Approach Test (HAT)
Human Approach Test (HAT) - Free Stall
Le test d’approche de l'humain (Human Approach Test, HAT) évalue les réponses comportementales des animaux à l’approche progressive et à la proximité d’une personne inconnue dans un environnement contrôlé. Il permet d’évaluer l’acceptation de la présence humaine par les animaux dans leur zone de confort, leurs tendances d’approche ou d’évitement, leur niveau de peur ainsi que leur affinité envers l’humain. Ce test est adaptable à divers environnements et à toutes les classes d’âge. La procédure décrite dans cette procédure opératoire normalisée (PON) est réalisée dans un environnement de stabulation libre et est conçue pour évaluer un seul animal à la fois.
Date of publication: October 20, 2026
Human Approach Test (HAT) - Bedded Pack
Le test d’approche de l'humain (Human Approach Test, HAT) évalue les réponses comportementales des animaux à l’approche progressive et à la proximité d’une personne inconnue dans un environnement contrôlé. Il permet d’évaluer l’acceptation de la présence humaine par les animaux dans leur zone de confort, leurs tendances d’approche ou d’évitement, leur niveau de peur ainsi que leur affinité envers l’humain. Ce test est adaptable à divers environnements et à toutes les classes d’âge. La procédure décrite dans cette procédure opératoire normalisée (PON) est réalisée dans un parc à litière accumulée et est conçue pour évaluer un seul animal à la fois.
Date of publication: October 20, 2026
Human Approach Test (HAT) - Tie Stall
The Human Approach Test (HAT) evaluates animals’ behavioural responses to the progressive approach and proximity of an unfamiliar human in a controlled setting. It assesses animals’ acceptance of human presence within their comfort zone, approach–avoidance tendencies, fearfulness and human affinity. This test is adaptable to various environments and all age classes. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in a tie-stall environment and is designed to test a single animal.
Date of publication: August 4, 2026
Novel Object Test (NOT)
Novel Object Test (NOT) – Tie Stall
The Novel Object Test measures animals’ behavioural reactions to an unfamiliar object. It is designed to assess curiosity, exploration, and fear-related responses toward novel stimuli. This test can be performed in different environments and is designed to test a single animal or multiple animals in one testing session. It is adaptable to all age classes. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in a tie-stall environment, using either one of two different object presentation methods on either a single animal or multiple animals simultaneously.
Date of publication: August 4, 2026
Sudden Object Test (SUD)
Sudden Object Test (SUD) - Open field – Individual
The Sudden Object Test evaluates animal’s behavioural reactions to a sudden and unexpected stimulus. It is designed to assess startle responses, approach–avoidance tendencies, and recovery following the sudden stimulus. This test is adaptable to various environments and all age classes and is designed for both individual and group testing. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in an open field arena, using one object presentation methods on a single animal
Date of publication: October 8, 2026
Sudden Object Test (SUD) - Open field – Group
The Sudden Object Test evaluates animal’s behavioural reactions to a sudden and unexpected stimulus. It is designed to assess startle responses, approach–avoidance tendencies, and recovery following the sudden stimulus. This test is adaptable to various environments and all age classes and is designed for both individual and group testing. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in an open field arena, using one object presentation methods on a two or more animals simultaneously.
Date of publication: October 8, 2026
Sudden Object Test (SUD) – Bedded Pack - Group
Le test de l’objet soudain vise à évaluer les réactions comportementales des animaux face à un stimulus soudain et inattendu. Il permet d’évaluer les réactions de sursaut, les tendances à l’approche ou à l’évitement, ainsi que le retour à un état comportemental normal après la présentation du stimulus. Ce test peut être adapté à différents environnements et à des animaux de toutes les catégories d’âge. Il peut être réalisé individuellement ou en groupe. La procédure décrite dans cette procédure opératoire normalisée (PON) est réalisée dans un parc à litière accumulée, auprès de deux animaux ou plus simultanément, selon une seule méthode de présentation de l’objet.
Date of publication: October 8, 2026
Sudden Object Test (SUD) – Tie Stall
The Sudden Object Test evaluates animals’ behavioural reactions to sudden and unexpected stimulus presented within their environments. It is designed to assess startle responses, approach–avoidance tendencies, and recovery following the sudden stimuli. This test is adaptable to various environments and all age classes. The test is designed for both individual and group testing. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in a tie-stall environment, using either one of two object presentation methods on either a single animal or multiple animals simultaneously.
Date of publication: August 4, 2026
Novel Surface Test (NST)
The Novel Surface Test (NST), also known as the Risk-Taking Test, evaluates cows’ willingness to cross an unfamiliar surface placed in their normal walking path. The test measures individual and group-level differences in approach-avoidance, risk-taking tendencies under mild uncertainty, and leadership. This test can be performed in different environments and is designed to test single or multiple animals in one testing session. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in two different types of corridors and is designed to test two or more animals.
Date of publication: October 8, 2026
Novel Surface Test - Individual
The Novel Surface Test (NST), also known as the Risk-Taking Test, evaluates cows’ willingness to cross an unfamiliar surface placed in their normal walking path. The test measures individual and group-level differences in approach-avoidance and risk-taking tendencies under mild uncertainty. This test can be performed in different environments and is designed to test single or multiple animals in one testing session. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in two different types of corridors and is designed to test a single animal.
Date of publication: September 22, 2026
Open Field Test (OFT)
The Open Field Test (OFT) evaluates animals’ behavioral responses when placed in an unfamiliar environment. The test measures individual differences in exploratory behavior, activity levels, and responses to social contagion and novelty. This test can be performed in different environments and can be designed to test a single animal or multiple animals in one testing session. It is adaptable to all age classes. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in an open field arena on two or more animals.
Date of publication: October 8, 2026
The Open Field Test (OFT) evaluates animals’ behavioral responses when placed in an unfamiliar environment. The test measures individual differences in exploratory behavior, activity levels, and responses to isolation and novelty. This test can be performed in different environments and can be designed to test a single animal or multiple animals in one testing session. It is adaptable to all age classes. The test procedure described in this SOP is performed in an open field arena on a single animal.
Date of publication: September 22, 2026
Automatic Cow Identification from Video
Interactive demo of a tool that allows you to automatically detect and identify individual cows in a video.