Lecture 28 Flashcards

1
Q

Why is good animal handling important?

A
  1. To be able to move and restrain an animal without risk of injury to the animal, yourself or others:
    * There were 15 cattle-related fatalities in Canada between 2011-2020 (2% of all agriculture-related fatalities).
    * Surveys suggest that >13% farms have at least one cattle-related injury per year
  2. To be able to apply the appropriate level of pressure and restraint:
    * Calm animals are easier to handle.
    * Reduced shrinkage at shipping, injuries and stress-related disorders
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2
Q

What is cows normal behaviour?

A
  • Strong herding behaviour.
  • As animals of prey, they look for the strength of the group.
  • Calm movements, curious/attentive towards the surroundings.
  • Assess the response elicited when approaching the cow
  • Flight zone
  • Withdrawal movements
  • Prefer to be moved in group or keeping other cows on sight, not isolated
  • tend to go back to the place they camefrom, routein is comfortable and reassuring
  • when pressured or rushed, are easily startled and may flee
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3
Q

What tools are used to move animals and how do you use them?

A
  • Paddle, sorting stick, flag to extend the length of one’s arm across an alley.
  • Not to be used as items to hit, prod or touch the animals, they are merely an extension of a person’s reach.
  • Electric prod are not to be used for the routine handling of animals.
  • Forceful use of the tail (tail twist-negative reinforcement) that results in injury is considered abuse and is unacceptable.
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4
Q

Where is the point of balance on a cow?

A

The shoulder

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5
Q

What do cows not like/avoid?

A
  • they dont like to bunch
  • the black cave effect - refuse to enter a dark building
  • avoid slip flooring
  • might not move if there is new things in sight
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6
Q

what arer types of aggressive behaviours in cattle?

A
  • Cattle use horns and head to charge. Kick with hind legs to the side.
  • Territorial/Sex related
  • Fear-induced: Confined or cornered animals that feel threatened.
  • Maternal
  • Organic origin: Irritable state elicited by a broad range of health issues (stress/frustration, pain, brain tumors).
  • Mock fighting: Play behaviour to refine their motor skills.
  • Instrumental Aggression (reinforced)
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7
Q

What are causes of aggression in cattle?

A
  • Mixing of unfamiliar animals
  • Competition over food
  • Spatial factors and overcrowding
  • Frustration, Fear, Pain
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8
Q

How do you recognize dangerous situations in cattle?

A
  • Learn to read the body language:
  • Ear positions
  • Head and tail positions
  • Pawing the ground
  • Erratic movements
  • Tail flicking
  • Bellowing: Cattle that are very distressed will often bellow loudly
  • Don’t put yourself in situations of risk (isolated animals, handling calves, animals in pain).
  • Think of an exit route in advance.
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9
Q

what is the safe way to capture and contain a cow?

A
  • Be patient, don’t rush.
  • Work with another person
  • Avoid quick movements & loud noises
  • Plan an escape route
  • Avoid leading cattle into an enclosed area such as a trailer
  • Never wrap or tie a lead rope to yourself
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10
Q

what are affiliative behaviours in cattle?

A

Social interactions that function to reinforce
social bonds with a group or which are of mutual
benefit to all animals involved in the interaction.
* Allogrooming
* Allofeeding/Food sharing
* Behavioural synchrony
* Spatial proximity

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11
Q

What is feeding behaviour like in cattle?

A
  • Feeding frequency: More deliveries, more stable consumption.
  • Feed bunk management: ad libitum, clean bunk, restricted.
  • Consistency of feeding: Irregular schedules (delays, health issues) may cause animals to ingest larger quantities of feed during a short time
  • animals graze at faster rates when they know that the herbage available is limited
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12
Q

What is the cow male sexual behaviours?

A

Detection
* Flehmen sign – pheromones
* Investigate genital region, smelling.

Courtship
* Physical contact (kicks, headbutts, biting)
* Vocalizations
* Urination
* Salivation

Verification
* Mounting attempts

Mating/Coital behaviour (Service)
* Mounting & clasping
* Intercourse & Ejaculation
* Ruminants: 1-3 secs

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13
Q

What is the refractory period in cow males?

A

A period immediately following ejaculation during which the male is unresponsive to further stimulation
* Absolute: right after intercourse
* Relative: after a few minutes, during which exists the Coolidge effect: by changing the sexual stimuli, the male exhibits a renewed sexual interest and can engage again in sexual activities.
* Important measurement for male selection

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14
Q

What is the female cow proceptive behaviours?

A

Showing receptivity and invitation
* Pheromones (urine)
* Behaviours
- Increase physical activity: walking, sniffing, flehmen, head-butting, chasing, mounting, chin-resting
- Restlessness
- Decreased intake and milk production
- Vocalizations

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15
Q

What are female cow acceptive behaviours?

A
  • Willingness to accept courtship and copulatory attempts
  • Immobility: Most relevant sign of receptivity (in all species)
  • Sign of standing heat – AI/bull protocol
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16
Q

What do we use to determine reproductive behaviours?

A

Except when there is estrus synchronization, important for heat detection.

Visual
* Trained personnel to check behaviours
* 2x (~60-80%) & 3x (80-90%)

Activity monitors
* Marker, Chin-ball
* Accelerometers

Teasers
* Vasectomised; apron
* Androgenised females (cattle)

17
Q

what is maternal behaviour in cows before birth?

A
  • Calving location
  • Increased activity
  • Separation from the herd
18
Q

what is maternal behaviour in cows at birth?

A
  • Grooming/bond
  • Hiding calf
  • Nursing
19
Q

What is calfing time like in cattle?

A
  • Predicting time of parturition - Not easy - random
  • Advantage for species NOT to advertise the time of parturition
  • Behaviour as reliable predictor of parturition: Technology being developed and commercially available
19
Q

How does experience impact maternal behaviour in cows?

A

Most inexperienced mothers are not as competent as experienced ones:
* More fearful of offspring
* Bonding and attachment slower
* More reliant on sensory cues from the calf
* More disturbed/distracted by the behaviour of others and the environment

19
Q

what is maternal behaviour in cows after birth?

A
  • Strength maternal bond
  • Communication - vocalizations
  • Lactation
20
Q

what kind of technology is used to monitor cattle behaviour?

A
  • GPS
  • UWB sensors
  • Video