Brush Use in Lot-Fed Cattle Shows Continued Use and Positive Behaviour

Emma Dunston-Clarke Dr; Catherine Stockman; Josie Sinclair; Teresa Collins

doi:10.3390/ani15010044

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Brush Use in Lot-Fed Cattle Shows Continued Use and Positive Behaviour

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Brush Use in Lot-Fed Cattle Shows Continued Use and Positive Behaviour

Emma Dunston-Clarke Dr, Catherine Stockman, Josie Sinclair and Teresa Collins

Animals , Vol.15(1), 44

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15010044

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Abstract

environmental enrichment; cattle brush; feedlot; ethogram; affective state; temperament

Animal welfare

Animal management

Beef cattle

Feedlot cattle were assessed for the consistency of enrichment brush use, higher incidence of natural behaviour, and less agonistic or abnormal behaviour compared to cattle without the brush. Cattle were assigned to one of two treatment pens, (1) access to a vertical grooming brush (EB; n = 89) or (2) no access control (CON; n = 80), for a period of 107 days. A Principal Component (PC) analysis was used on pen-side demeanour scores. Statistical analysis on pen-side behaviour and demeanour PCs tested for impact of treatment, day, and time. Frequency of brush use and the duration of each cow–brush interaction did not decrease over the assessment period. Self-grooming and allogrooming did not differ between treatments and were similar in frequency to brush grooming, resulting in total grooming being higher in the EB treatment group (p < 0.05). Cattle in the EB pen were scored as more content (PC 2; p < 0.05) and sociable (PC 3; p < 0.01), while CON cattle were scored as more anxious (PC 3; p < 0.05). Overall, this study suggests that the provision of a brush for enrichment enhanced lot-fed cattle wellbeing and permitted prolonged engagement, making it an effective enrichment device.

Details

Title: Brush Use in Lot-Fed Cattle Shows Continued Use and Positive Behaviour
Authors/Creators: Emma Dunston-Clarke Dr (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health
Catherine Stockman
Josie Sinclair - Murdoch University
Teresa Collins (Author) - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health
Publication Details: Animals , Vol.15(1), 44
Publisher: MDPI; BASEL
Number of pages: 17
Grant note: Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine project grant
The authors wish to thank the feedlot owners, TW Pearson and Son, for their support and contribution to the study. This research was funded by Murdoch University School of Veterinary Medicine project grant.
Identifiers: 991005749230507891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Agricultural Sciences; School of Veterinary Medicine; Centre for Animal Production and Health
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences; 3.51.799 Farm Animal Welfare
Web Of Science research areas: Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science