This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of either low or high trailer stocking density (SD) on cattle behavior. British x Continental steers (n = 200; mean BW = 361.53 ± 54.4 kg) were loaded onto one of two truck-towed trailers. Steer behavior and positional orientation were recorded by video camera (8 h). Aggressive behaviors were more frequent (P < 0.0001) in low (178 ± 34.46 kg BW/m2) than high (333 ± 31.84 kg BW/m2) SD. Chin-resting occurred more often (P < 0.05) in low SD, yet there was no difference (P = 0.98) between SD for mounting. There was a SD × trip effect for loss of balance (P < 0.05), ruminating (P < 0.0001), and lying behaviors (P < 0.0001). At both SD, side-left and side-right were the preferred (P < 0.05) standing orientations. These results suggest that SD can affect cattle behavior and orientation en route.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-2692 |
| Date | 11 May 2013 |
| Creators | Jury, Lyndi L'Rae |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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