Lecture 18 - Ruminant Behavior

Question 1

What are shared behavioral characteristics of ruminants

Answer 1

1 - prey animals (fight, flight, freeze)
2 - herd animals (safety in numbers)
3 - habituated to humans

Question 2

Domestication

Answer 2

species bred and adapted over generations to live with humans; influence of selective breeding

Question 3

Taming

Answer 3

individual animals accustomed to human interaction

Question 4

habituation

Answer 4

decreasing an animal’s response to repeated stimulus over time

Question 5

Where are ruminant blind spots

Answer 5

directly in front and behind

Question 6

Match the field of vision to its ruminant

a. goats
b. sheep
c. cattle

i. 270 - 320
ii. 320 - 340
iii. 300

Answer 6

goats = 320-340
sheep = 270 -320
cattle = 300

Question 7

What is bulking

Answer 7

head down, stopping, trying to back up

Question 8

T/F: ruminants can hear both higher and lower frequencies than humans

Answer 8

True

Question 9

T/F: Ruminants can release pheromones during stressful events to warn other animals of danger

Answer 9

True

Question 10

What is the social hierarchy among cattle

Answer 10

matriarchal groups interconnected by long-term non-familial bonds

Question 11

What are examples of aggressive behaviors in cattle

Answer 11

headbutting, mounting, chasing

Question 12

Where will the dominant cow be in regards to the rest of the herd when moving

Answer 12

the middle

Question 13

cow leading the herd is ____ in seeking behaviors and ____ in fear

Answer 13

high; low

Question 14

Which is a better mother: dairy or beef cattle

Answer 14

beef cattle because of less interaction with human caregivers

Question 15

The social structure of sheep relies on what two things?

Answer 15

mutual protection and shared resources

Question 16

whats the minimum number of sheep that will display normal flocking behavior

Answer 16

5

Question 17

What determines the pecking order with goats

Answer 17

head butting

Question 18

How is goat hierarchy structured

Answer 18

top buck - protects herd, breeds with herd queen

herd queen - leads group to best grazing, identifies poisonous forages, given most comfort

Question 19

who is more independent and curious - goats or sheep

Answer 19

goats

Question 20

negative interactions

Answer 20

animals will avoid contact
pushing, shouting, kicking, electric prods

Question 21

neutral interactions

Answer 21

low fear, but still avoidance
gentle handling, instructive talking, flags or shakers

Question 22

Positive interactions

Answer 22

fear absent, allow contact
slow movements, petting

Question 23

Animals that have been gently handled have what

Answer 23

• higher milk yield
• lower cortisol
• improved interactions
• better maternal caregivers

Question 24

Animals that have been aversely handles have what

Answer 24

• higher dirtiness score
• lower pregnancy rates
• decreased meat quality

Question 25

Milling

Answer 25

last defense resort, strongest animals pushed to center of herd while herd circles

Question 26

what is important to remember when using the flight zone and point of balance

Answer 26

pressure and release

Question 27

T/F: electric prods can be used on any age and anywhere

Answer 27

FALSE - automatic welfare failure when used on young animals, on sensitive areas, etc.