Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport
Land transport is an unavoidable experience for most livestock, yet there is limited research comparing animal welfare under different conditions. We video recorded sheep responses during short (2 h) commercial road transport journeys. Using Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, observers (blinded to...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/11/209 |
| _version_ | 1818520107325849600 |
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| author | Teresa Collins Catherine A. Stockman Anne L. Barnes David W. Miller Sarah L. Wickham Patricia A. Fleming |
| author_facet | Teresa Collins Catherine A. Stockman Anne L. Barnes David W. Miller Sarah L. Wickham Patricia A. Fleming |
| author_sort | Teresa Collins |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Land transport is an unavoidable experience for most livestock, yet there is limited research comparing animal welfare under different conditions. We video recorded sheep responses during short (2 h) commercial road transport journeys. Using Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, observers (blinded to the treatments) scored the behavioural expression of sheep and reached significant consensus in their scoring patterns (<i>p</i> < 0.001). There were also significant effects of vehicle crate design (sheep transported in a ‘standard’ crate were more <i>calm</i>/<i>relaxed</i> than those transported in a ‘convertible’ crate), deck position (sheep on upper decks were more <i>curious</i>/<i>alert</i> than those on lower decks), and sheep breed (fat-tail sheep were more <i>agitated</i>/<i>distressed</i> than merino sheep) on observer scores. We only found marginal differences for sheep originating from feedlot or saleyard. Significant effects of vehicle driver (included as a random factor in all but one of our analyses) suggest driving patterns contributed to demeanour of the sheep. Finally, the fourteen drivers who participated in the study were asked their opinions on livestock transport; none of the factors we tested were identified by drivers as important for sheep welfare during transport. This study supports the use of qualitative measures in transport and revealed differences that could inform truck design. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:32:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cd73d8c86b3a4fb6a4904e14f4a8c20e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T01:32:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-cd73d8c86b3a4fb6a4904e14f4a8c20e2022-12-22T01:25:19ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152018-11-0181120910.3390/ani8110209ani8110209Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep TransportTeresa Collins0Catherine A. Stockman1Anne L. Barnes2David W. Miller3Sarah L. Wickham4Patricia A. Fleming5School of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary & Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch WA 6150, AustraliaLand transport is an unavoidable experience for most livestock, yet there is limited research comparing animal welfare under different conditions. We video recorded sheep responses during short (2 h) commercial road transport journeys. Using Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, observers (blinded to the treatments) scored the behavioural expression of sheep and reached significant consensus in their scoring patterns (<i>p</i> < 0.001). There were also significant effects of vehicle crate design (sheep transported in a ‘standard’ crate were more <i>calm</i>/<i>relaxed</i> than those transported in a ‘convertible’ crate), deck position (sheep on upper decks were more <i>curious</i>/<i>alert</i> than those on lower decks), and sheep breed (fat-tail sheep were more <i>agitated</i>/<i>distressed</i> than merino sheep) on observer scores. We only found marginal differences for sheep originating from feedlot or saleyard. Significant effects of vehicle driver (included as a random factor in all but one of our analyses) suggest driving patterns contributed to demeanour of the sheep. Finally, the fourteen drivers who participated in the study were asked their opinions on livestock transport; none of the factors we tested were identified by drivers as important for sheep welfare during transport. This study supports the use of qualitative measures in transport and revealed differences that could inform truck design.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/11/209qualitative behavioural assessmentQBAsheeptransportbehaviour |
| spellingShingle | Teresa Collins Catherine A. Stockman Anne L. Barnes David W. Miller Sarah L. Wickham Patricia A. Fleming Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport Animals qualitative behavioural assessment QBA sheep transport behaviour |
| title | Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport |
| title_full | Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport |
| title_short | Qualitative Behavioural Assessment as a Method to Identify Potential Stressors during Commercial Sheep Transport |
| title_sort | qualitative behavioural assessment as a method to identify potential stressors during commercial sheep transport |
| topic | qualitative behavioural assessment QBA sheep transport behaviour |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/8/11/209 |
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