Wk 13: Species focus: Diary, Beef & Sheep

Question 1

What is the standard group of wild cattle?

Answer 1

Cows with calves, heifers and young bulls
Live in herds of varying sizes - larger herds may contain some adult bulls

Question 2

What are bulls’ social organisations in the wild?

Answer 2

Generally, live separately
May defened specific areas
Interact with cow-calf groups for mating

Question 3

Cattle Scoail Organisation of Dairy Cattle

Answer 3

All adult and all juvenile female groups

Question 4

Cattle Scoail Organisation of a Beef Suckler Herd

Answer 4

Mix of cows, calves and a few bulls during breeding season (most natural)

Question 5

Cattle Scoail Organisation of Finishing Beef Herd

Answer 5

Only steers or mix

Question 6

As they are prey animals, what stress indicators can be seen in cattle?

Answer 6

Heart rate
Vocalisation
Defecation
Cortisol

Question 7

What relationships form in a dairy cow herd?

Answer 7

form dominant – subordinate relationships that regulate access to limited/preferred resources without escalating aggression

Question 8

When can aggressive interactions be seen in a dairy herd?

Answer 8

common when unfamiliar cows are mixed in and new dominance relationships are established; e.g. for access to feeder spaces, cubicles

Question 9

What is meant by, social interactions in a dairy cow herd being either affiliative or agonistic?

Answer 9

agonistic interactions regulate access to resources; re-affirm dominance relationships; e.g. head-head pushing at trough regulates access to feed
affiliative interactions reinforce social bonds and stabilize social relationships; e.g. social licking (allogrooming) in ‘grooming partnerships’

Question 10

In farmed sheep, what breed differences can be seen in terms of social behaviour?

Answer 10

Home range size
Social group size
Strength of social attachment

Question 11

In farmed sheep, what is deemed normal in terms of following?

Answer 11

Movement in single file following leader
Most dominant animal towards the front, rarely leads

Question 12

In farmed sheep, is agonistic behaviour often seen?

Answer 12

Rarely
Subtle behaviour to retain dominance relationship. (resting chin to displaced)

Question 13

In farmed sheep, is there any social recognition?

Answer 13

Use visual and olfactory cues
Can recognise and remember>50 individuals by face

Question 14

Briefly state what key behaviours are due to the breeds of domestic sheep

Answer 14

Question 15

What are sheeps normal foraging and feeding behaviours?

Answer 15

Well-adapted to harsh climates
- variety of food sources (seaweed, lichen, cavity)
Grazers

Question 16

What is the maternal behaviour of a wild sheep regarding birth compared to domestic?

Answer 16

withdrawal from the group into remote/sheltered/rugged terrain to reduce predation risk; increase bonding uninterrupted by others Also avoids the lamb from going with the incorrect ewes etc

Depends on breed and space provided

Question 17

When does selective attachment between ewe and lamb form?

Answer 17

<1h after brith

Question 18

How does maternal recognition grow?

Answer 18

By smell, sounds and sight

Question 19

When does the ewe lick the lamb?

Answer 19

In first 6h (lamb dry)

Question 20

What are the key points of sheep management and welfare in terms of them being prey species?

Answer 20

Social isolation causes stress
Use of buddies recommended

Question 21

What are the key points of sheep management of welfare in terms of breed differences?

Answer 21