Journal article
Qualitative behavioural assessment and quantitative physiological measurement of cattle naïve and habituated to road transport
Animal Production Science, Vol.51(3), pp.240-249
2011
Abstract
The present study examined whether observers could distinguish between cattle that are naive to road transport and the same cattle after becoming more habituated to transport. The behavioural expression of cattle was assessed through the method of qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA), and these assessments were correlated with various physiological parameters. Fourteen Angus steers were assessed during their first road trip and then again on their ninth trip, 15 days later. Blood samples were collected immediately before and after transport, and heart rate and core body temperature were measured continuously throughout each trip. Video footage recorded during each trip was edited and clips showing each individual within the first 30 min of departure were randomly ordered and shown to observers for QBA. There was significant (P < 0.001) consensus among 40 observers in their assessment of behavioural expression of the cattle. Transport-naive cattle were described as more 'agitated', while transport-habituated were described as more 'calm'. Core body temperature (P < 0.01), plasma glucose (P < 0.05) and the neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.01) were higher for the first trip than for the habituated trip (P < 0.01). QBA were significantly correlated with core body temperature (P < 0.01), heart rate (P < 0.01), plasma glucose (P < 0.05) and the neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.01). QBA appears to be a valid and integrative method of assessing cattle welfare under the conditions tested within the present study. There was significant consensus in the ability of human observers to interpret behavioural expression of cattle during this experiment. In addition, observers could identify differences in behavioural expression between cattle that were naive versus habituated to transport, and these differences were supported by physiological measurements.
Details
- Title
- Qualitative behavioural assessment and quantitative physiological measurement of cattle naïve and habituated to road transport
- Authors/Creators
- C.A. Stockman (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityT. Collins (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityA.L. Barnes (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD.W. Miller (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.L. Wickham (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD.T. Beatty (Author/Creator) - Meat & Livestock AustraliaD. Blache (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaF. Wemelsfelder (Author/Creator) - Scottish Agricultural CollegeP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Animal Production Science, Vol.51(3), pp.240-249
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005541187307891
- Copyright
- © CSIRO 2011
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publisher URL
- http://www.publish.csiro.au/?nid=72
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- 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
- ESI research areas
- Agricultural Sciences