The reaction of young bulls to short-haul road transport

摘要: Abstract The objective was to examine the response of 15-month-old Friesian bulls a typical preslaughter journey and identify any stressful components. procedure used subject young transport-related treatments increasing complexity, e.g. re-penning in new environment, confinement on stationary truck or moving truck, with without social re-grouping each case. reaction determined by continuous observation behaviour measuring heart-rate blood constituents at rest, post-treatment after recovery. Social interactions showed marked increase above resting values simplest treatment, that environment. As complexity treatment increased, frequency decreased. Thus, aggressive sexual inhibited close further decreased motion both non-mixed socially re-grouped animals. In contrast, urination increased as not influenced re-grouping. Exploratory all treatments. Plasma cortisol concentration consistently transport indicating were factors road transport. did have consistent effect cortisol. Restlessness during indicated changes position truck. but motion. Changes frequently triggered such chin mounting, also when driving events, particularly cornering. Ninety-five percent losses balance accounted for factors, most important being cornering braking. This finding applied equally bulls. common orientation pattern adopted standing either perpendicular parallel direction motion, diagonal orientations infrequently used.