Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour
The aim of the study was to assess the effects of housing method on Romanian Simmental x Limousine (RS x L) crossbred calves behaviour. To investigate these effects 12 RS x L calves were separated from damns within the first hour after birth and were housed either individually (n=6) or in pair (n=3...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Agroprint Timisoara
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies |
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| Online Access: | https://spasb.ro/index.php/public_html/article/view/1089 |
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| author | Radu I. Neamț Silviu Ilie Săplăcan Stelian Acatincăi Ludovic T. Cziszter Daniela E. Ilie |
| author_facet | Radu I. Neamț Silviu Ilie Săplăcan Stelian Acatincăi Ludovic T. Cziszter Daniela E. Ilie |
| author_sort | Radu I. Neamț |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The aim of the study was to assess the effects of housing method on Romanian Simmental x Limousine (RS x L) crossbred calves behaviour. To investigate these effects 12 RS x L calves were separated from damns within the first hour after birth and were housed either individually (n=6) or in pair (n=3 pairs) on straw bedded pens. The inactive standing, habitat exploring and playing behaviours were recorded on days 15, 30, 45 and 60 after birth. Individually housed calves spent more time (P≤0.016) standing inactive (means ±SEM) 5.16±0.47 bouts / day compared to pair housed calves (3.12±0.57 bouts / day). In gregarious animals, presence of a partner reduces stress and fear due to the social isolation. The pair housed calves spent significantly less time (P≤0.039) to explore the habitat (3.5±0.56 bouts / day) compared to individually housed calves, which resulted in higher frequency of exploration bouts (5.83±0.79 bouts / day). Also, paired calves spent more time (P≤0.001) in social contact, playing with the partner (4.16±0.7 bouts / day) compared with individually housed calves (0.16±0.06 bouts / day). These results indicate that housing calves in pairs generated benefits for calves such as better welfare condition, social opportunities and expression of desired behaviours patterns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T11:29:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-06ae54ebf8e64921a7e281040d3dfa71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1841-9364 2344-4576 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T11:29:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | Agroprint Timisoara |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies |
| spelling | doaj.art-06ae54ebf8e64921a7e281040d3dfa712024-04-10T10:45:43ZengAgroprint TimisoaraScientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies1841-93642344-45762023-09-015012092091089Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves BehaviourRadu I. Neamț0Silviu Ilie Săplăcan1Stelian Acatincăi2Ludovic T. Cziszter3Daniela E. Ilie4Research and Development Station for Bovine, 310059, Arad, Calea Bodrogului 32, RomaniaResearch and Development Station for Bovine, 310059, Arad, Calea Bodrogului 32, RomaniaBanat´s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 300645, Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, RomaniaBanat´s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 300645, Timisoara, Calea Aradului 119, RomaniaResearch and Development Station for Bovine, 310059, Arad, Calea Bodrogului 32, RomaniaThe aim of the study was to assess the effects of housing method on Romanian Simmental x Limousine (RS x L) crossbred calves behaviour. To investigate these effects 12 RS x L calves were separated from damns within the first hour after birth and were housed either individually (n=6) or in pair (n=3 pairs) on straw bedded pens. The inactive standing, habitat exploring and playing behaviours were recorded on days 15, 30, 45 and 60 after birth. Individually housed calves spent more time (P≤0.016) standing inactive (means ±SEM) 5.16±0.47 bouts / day compared to pair housed calves (3.12±0.57 bouts / day). In gregarious animals, presence of a partner reduces stress and fear due to the social isolation. The pair housed calves spent significantly less time (P≤0.039) to explore the habitat (3.5±0.56 bouts / day) compared to individually housed calves, which resulted in higher frequency of exploration bouts (5.83±0.79 bouts / day). Also, paired calves spent more time (P≤0.001) in social contact, playing with the partner (4.16±0.7 bouts / day) compared with individually housed calves (0.16±0.06 bouts / day). These results indicate that housing calves in pairs generated benefits for calves such as better welfare condition, social opportunities and expression of desired behaviours patterns.https://spasb.ro/index.php/public_html/article/view/1089housing methodcrossbreed calveswelfarebehaviour |
| spellingShingle | Radu I. Neamț Silviu Ilie Săplăcan Stelian Acatincăi Ludovic T. Cziszter Daniela E. Ilie Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies housing method crossbreed calves welfare behaviour |
| title | Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour |
| title_full | Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour |
| title_short | Effects of Pair versus Individual Housing on Romanian Simmental x Limousine Crossbreed Calves Behaviour |
| title_sort | effects of pair versus individual housing on romanian simmental x limousine crossbreed calves behaviour |
| topic | housing method crossbreed calves welfare behaviour |
| url | https://spasb.ro/index.php/public_html/article/view/1089 |
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