Wk 13: Species focus: Diary, Beef & Sheep Flashcards
What is the standard group of wild cattle?
Cows with calves, heifers and young bulls
Live in herds of varying sizes - larger herds may contain some adult bulls
What are bulls’ social organisations in the wild?
Generally, live separately
May defened specific areas
Interact with cow-calf groups for mating
Cattle Scoail Organisation of Dairy Cattle
All adult and all juvenile female groups
Cattle Scoail Organisation of a Beef Suckler Herd
Mix of cows, calves and a few bulls during breeding season (most natural)
Cattle Scoail Organisation of Finishing Beef Herd
Only steers or mix
As they are prey animals, what stress indicators can be seen in cattle?
Heart rate
Vocalisation
Defecation
Cortisol
What relationships form in a dairy cow herd?
form dominant – subordinate relationships that regulate access to limited/preferred resources without escalating aggression
When can aggressive interactions be seen in a dairy herd?
common when unfamiliar cows are mixed in and new dominance relationships are established; e.g. for access to feeder spaces, cubicles
What is meant by, social interactions in a dairy cow herd being either affiliative or agonistic?
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’
In farmed sheep, what breed differences can be seen in terms of social behaviour?
Home range size
Social group size
Strength of social attachment
In farmed sheep, what is deemed normal in terms of following?
Movement in single file following leader
Most dominant animal towards the front, rarely leads
In farmed sheep, is agonistic behaviour often seen?
Rarely
Subtle behaviour to retain dominance relationship. (resting chin to displaced)
In farmed sheep, is there any social recognition?
Use visual and olfactory cues
Can recognise and remember>50 individuals by face
Briefly state what key behaviours are due to the breeds of domestic sheep
What are sheeps normal foraging and feeding behaviours?
Well-adapted to harsh climates
- variety of food sources (seaweed, lichen, cavity)
Grazers
What is the maternal behaviour of a wild sheep regarding birth compared to domestic?
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
When does selective attachment between ewe and lamb form?
<1h after brith
How does maternal recognition grow?
By smell, sounds and sight
When does the ewe lick the lamb?
In first 6h (lamb dry)
What are the key points of sheep management and welfare in terms of them being prey species?
Social isolation causes stress
Use of buddies recommended
What are the key points of sheep management of welfare in terms of breed differences?
