Improvements in the behaviour of Gir dairy cows after training with brushing

Journal of Applied Animal Research

Renata Veroneze¹  André Penido Oliveira¹  Leonardo de Oliveira Fernandes¹  João Alberto Negrão²  Aska Ujita³  Rogério Ribeiro Vicentini³  Maria Lucia Pereira Lima³  Lenira El Faro Zadra³ 

[1] Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais;Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Departamento de Ciências Básicas, Universidade de São Paulo;Instituto de Zootecnia, Centro APTA Gado de Corte;

关键词: animal welfare;    behaviour;    cattle;    fear;    stroke;   

DOI  :  10.1080/09712119.2020.1754217

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The cow’s behaviour and temperament influence handling and productivity. Training including tactile stimuli can improve zebu cow behaviour. The aim of the study was to utilize tactile stimulation training in Gir dairy cows during 14 days and measure cow behaviour. A total of 27 cows were brushed in a squeeze chute. Behavioural parameters, respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated. The temperature and humidity of the environment was recorded to calculate the temperature and humidity index (THI). The THI demonstrated that the environmental conditions did not induce thermal stress. All behavioural variables showed improvements with training over time. The ‘calm’ score increased throughout the training, corroborating the movement and displacement behavioural characteristics, regardless of the parturition order. Initially, 56.6% of the cows walked to exit a chute while others trotted or ran, and, at the end of the days of training, 96.0% of the cows exited the chute by walking. A decrease in the RT and RR was verified between the first to 7th and 14th day of training. Brushing training was effective in calming the animals and improving the interaction with humans, thereby enhancing the human animal relationship.

【 授权许可】

Unknown