Journal article
Qualitative behavioural assessment as a method to identify potential stressors during commercial sheep transport
Animals, Vol.8(11), Article 209
2018
Abstract
Land transport is an unavoidable experience for most livestock, yet there is limited research comparing animal welfare under different conditions. We video recorded sheep responses during short (2 h) commercial road transport journeys. Using Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, observers (blinded to the treatments) scored the behavioural expression of sheep and reached significant consensus in their scoring patterns (p < 0.001). There were also significant effects of vehicle crate design (sheep transported in a ‘standard’ crate were more calm/relaxed than those transported in a ‘convertible’ crate), deck position (sheep on upper decks were more curious/alert than those on lower decks), and sheep breed (fat-tail sheep were more agitated/distressed than merino sheep) on observer scores. We only found marginal differences for sheep originating from feedlot or saleyard. Significant effects of vehicle driver (included as a random factor in all but one of our analyses) suggest driving patterns contributed to demeanour of the sheep. Finally, the fourteen drivers who participated in the study were asked their opinions on livestock transport; none of the factors we tested were identified by drivers as important for sheep welfare during transport. This study supports the use of qualitative measures in transport and revealed differences that could inform truck design.
Details
- Title
- Qualitative behavioural assessment as a method to identify potential stressors during commercial sheep transport
- Authors/Creators
- T. Collins (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityC. Stockman (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityA. Barnes (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD. Miller (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS. Wickham (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Animals, Vol.8(11), Article 209
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Identifiers
- 991005540086307891
- Copyright
- © 2018 by the authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- 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