Effect of restricted suckling or temporal weaning on some physiological and behavioural stress parameters in zebu cattle (Bos indicus)

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of restricted suckling (RS) on some physiological and behavioural stress parameters compared to temporal weaning (TW). Twenty Brahman (Bos indicus) cow-calf pairs were assigned to one of two groups: Calves in the RS group were limited to suckle their dams once daily for 30 min during days 30 to 33, while calves in the TW group were removed from their dams during days 59 to 62 postpartum. Heart and respiratory rates, serum cortisol concentration and body temperature were registered in cows and calves. In addition, the number of steps was also registered in calves. All parameters were recorded 24, 48 and 72 h after the beginning of the two treatments, respectively. In TW calves, higher (p

Keywords

beef cattle; calf removal; temporal weaning; animal welfare; restricted suckling; zebu

Published in

Asian-Australasian journal of animal sciences
2005, volume: 18, number: 8, pages: 1176-1181

SLU Authors

• Lidfors, Lena

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Berg, Lotta

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Veterinary Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2005.1176

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/6270