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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Loss of a grooming enrichment impacts physical, behavioural, and physiological measures of welfare in grazing beef cattle
Animal (Cambridge, England), Vol.18(3), pp.1-11
03/2024
PMID: 38428372
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Abstract
Pasture-based beef cattle are raised in a range of production environments. Some paddocks may contain trees and other objects that allow for grooming, hence being naturally enriching, whilst others may be barren without these opportunities. Additionally, it is not uncommon for cattle to move between these enriched and barren environments as part of routine management. While the benefits of enrichment are well studied, how this 'enrichment loss' impacts cattle welfare as access to stimuli is removed is unknown. This trial assessed the impacts of the loss of an enriching object (grooming brush) on grazing beef cattle welfare and production characteristics. When grooming brush access was blocked, cattle became dirtier, showed reduced average daily gain, and had elevated faecal cortisol metabolites, although this varied according to the degree of initial individual brush use. Additionally, allogrooming and grooming on other objects were reduced when access to the brush was returned, potentially indicating a rebound effect. These results demonstrate that the loss of adequate grooming objects can impair the overall welfare of grazing cattle; however, further work is needed to determine exactly which natural or artificial objects provide adequate grooming opportunities.
Details
- Title
- Loss of a grooming enrichment impacts physical, behavioural, and physiological measures of welfare in grazing beef cattle
- Creators
- Emily J. Dickson - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Armidale)Jessica E. Monk - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Armidale)Caroline Lee - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Armidale)Paul G. Mcdonald - University of New EnglandEdward Narayan - University of QueenslandDana L. M. Campbell - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Armidale)
- Publication Details
- Animal (Cambridge, England), Vol.18(3), pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V.
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- This research was funded by Meat and Livestock Australia Ltd., project number P.PSH.0807. E.J.D. was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship through the University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
- Identifiers
- 991013269207102368
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article