The effects of production practices on the behaviour of ruminant animals (Bos taurus, Bison bison and Cervus elaphus) | Posted on:1998-11-12 | Degree:Ph.D | Type:Dissertation | University:University of Alberta (Canada) | Candidate:Church, John Scott | Full Text:PDF | GTID:1463390014975512 | Subject:Agriculture | Abstract/Summary: | PDF Full Text Request | Farming new livestock species like bison and wapiti provides much needed diversification for agricultural communities. A comparative ethological investigation was initiated to determine how three different ruminants (cattle, bison and wapiti) respond to modern commercial husbandry practices. The adaptive behaviour of the three ruminants in two different components of modern commercial husbandry: reproductive management and handling and transport was explored. Reproductive management included behaviour associated with calving and weaning. Calving was observed in 202 wapiti hinds. Approximately 90% of hinds calved. On average, parturition lasted 101 min from the appearance of the amniotic sac to delivery of the calf. In addition, interval weaning was compared with abrupt weaning in both wapiti and beef cattle. Behavioural responses to the two weaning treatments, productivity and neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratios were investigated. Interval weaning reduced stress. The clearest evidence was the gross behavioural difference in vocalizations and fenceline pacing, as well as N/L ratios. Bison and cattle were the focal species in the studies investigating handling and transportation. Mixing bison bulls upon entry into a feedlot reduced the bulls total daily grain consumption and was attributed to a slow commencement of grain consumption by alien animals entering the pen and a decrease in consumption by established animals. The importance of maintaining bison in stable groups to prevent the impact on grain consumption was demonstrated. In a like manner, the negative effects during handling and transport of cattle moved off pasture to a sales yard simulation were shown to be ameliorated by electrolyte therapy. Control cattle displayed higher (P... | Keywords/Search Tags: | Bison, Cattle, Behaviour, Animals, Wapiti | PDF Full Text Request | Related items |
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