Tactile stimulation reduces reactivity but does not improve the performance of Brahman’s calves

Joseph Kaled  Grajales-Cedeño; Mayara Andrioli; Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa

doi:10.4025/actascianimsci.v47i1.70423

Joseph Kaled Grajales-Cedeño Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias / Universidad de Panamá https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1021-3945
Mayara Andrioli Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0708-357X
Mateus José Rodrigues Paranhos da Costa Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0088-4008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v47i1.70423

Palavras-chave: Animal welfare; behavior; beef cattle; temperament; human-animal interaction.

Resumo

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on the reactivity and performance of Brahman calves. One hundred and nine calves were randomly assigned to two treatments: calves that received tactile stimulation (TS, n = 57) and those that did not (NTS, n = 52). Tactile stimulation was performed for eight minutes, 12 hours after birth. The behavioral variables were collected at weaning (209.50 ± 55.83 days) by assigning reactivity scores in the squeeze chute, which ranged from one to five (one was assigned to a calm calf and five to the most reactive). A flight speed score was assigned when each calf exited the squeeze chute. Performance was assessed using the adjusted weaning weight (WW) and daily weight gain (ADG). TS female calves showed lower reactivity scores in the squeeze chute (p < 0.05) and when leaving it (p < 0.05) than NTS calves, but no significant differences were observed in male calves between the treatments (p > 0.05). WW and GMD did not differ between the treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, tactile stimulation performed in Brahman’s calves at birth resulted in less reactivity in female calves without affecting their performance.

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Tactile stimulation reduces reactivity but does not improve the performance of Brahman’s calves

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