Journal article
Remote identification of sheep with flystrike using behavioural observations
Animals, Vol.9(6), Article 368
2019
Abstract
Flystrike is a major problem affecting sheep in Australia. Identification of ‘flystruck’ individuals is crucial for treatment; but requires labour-intensive physical examination. As the industry moves toward more low-input systems; there is a need for remote methods to identify flystruck individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of sheep with breech flystrike within a paddock setting. Video footage of sixteen Merino sheep; eight later confirmed with flystrike and eight without; was collected as they moved freely within the paddock with conspecifics. Quantitative behavioural measurements and a qualitative behavioural assessment (QBA) were conducted and compared to their breech conditions (i.e., faecal/urine staining; flystrike severity). Both qualitative and quantitative assessments indicated behavioural differences between flystruck and non-flystruck animals. Flystruck sheep had a behavioural profile characterised by restless behaviour; abnormal postures and reduced grazing time (p < 0.05). Furthermore; flystruck sheep were scored to have a more ‘exhausted/irritated’ demeanour using QBA (p < 0.05). The behavioural responses also corresponded to the flystrike severity scores and condition of the breech area. We conclude that remotely assessed behaviour of flystruck sheep diverges markedly from non-flystruck sheep; and thus could be a low-input method for identifying and treating affected animals.
Details
- Title
- Remote identification of sheep with flystrike using behavioural observations
- Authors/Creators
- E.P. Grant (Author/Creator) - Poultry CRCS.L. Wickham (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityF. Anderson (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityA.L. Barnes (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD.W. Miller (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Animals, Vol.9(6), Article 368
- Publisher
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
- Identifiers
- 991005541210107891
- Copyright
- © 2019 MDPI
- Murdoch Affiliation
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education
- 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