Thesis
Determining the feasibility and validity of using Vetchip in detecting heart rate, body temperature, posture and movement in cattle
Honours, Murdoch University
2022
Abstract
Digital farming is idealistic, as it may assist in farm-management by identifying livestock and recording growth parameters such as, bodyweight and feed conversion ratio, but it relies on technology to be practical, feasible and reliable. Consideration of the technology’s impact on animals and its usability to monitor animal welfare is required. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and validity of using VetChip to collect cattle physiological and behavioural data, while also testing for the most suitable implantation site (base of the ear versus the tail fold) for use in the commercial beef cattle industry. VetChip data was compared to scientifically valid methods: a biological injectable bolus into cattle rumen for body temperature and manual collected rectal temperature and heart rate from the coccygeal artery. Eight Bos indicus cattle were selected for this study, with six inserted with VetChips. A total of 47 data points were collected, producing the means (±SE) of body temperatures of 39.8 ± 0.27°C, 38.6 ± 0.27 °C, 38.9 ± 0.19°C and 39.6 ± 0.09°C for VetChips inserted at the base of ear, tail fold, manually collected and from rumen logger, respectively. Mean heart rates (±SE) were 90.7 ± 2.16 bpm, 80.7 ± 2.42 bpm and 78.5 ± 1.90 bpm for VetChips inserted at the base of ear, tail fold and manually collected, respectively. For both temperatures and heart rates, VetChips inserted in the tail fold (n = 30) were similar to manual recordings (p = 0.15 and p = 0.44). This study indicated that the tail fold was the optimal site for insertion while VetChip provided reliable heart rate recordings, but for temperature and behavioural monitoring, more development is required.
Details
- Title
- Determining the feasibility and validity of using Vetchip in detecting heart rate, body temperature, posture and movement in cattle
- Authors/Creators
- Oscar L Chan
- Contributors
- Teresa Collins (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Honours
- Identifiers
- 991005548667807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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