Impact on feeding behavior of beef calves during preconditioning on ranch and commingling on arrival at the feedlot
Date
2022-01-24
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Preconditioning refers to management practices implemented at the ranch to promote an easier transition to the feedlot; it is known to improve the health and welfare of beef calves. For this thesis, feeding behaviour and activity of preconditioned calves was studied from the ranch to feedlot and compared to other sources of calves, with a specific focus on the impact of bunk exposure on feeding behaviour at the feedlot. Behavioural observations were used to determine bunk attendance and CowManager® technology for time spent “eating”, “ruminating”, and “activity” (active and not active) of preconditioned, ranch-sourced, and auction-derived calves. At the ranch, bunk attendance was significantly improved for preconditioned calves between all consecutive days except days 4 and 5. Furthermore, preconditioned calves had increased bunk attendance and time spent eating at the feedlot compared to other calf sources. Preconditioned calves spent less time active, and there was no significant difference between calf sources in time spent ruminating. These results were similar when comparing preconditioned and auction-derived calves within commingled pens, providing evidence that preconditioned calves outperformed auction-derived calves during the first week after arrival at the feedlot.
Description
Keywords
feeding behaviour, animal welfare, calf health, weaning, rumination, activity
Citation
Hodder, A. (2022). Impact on feeding behavior of beef calves during preconditioning on ranch and commingling on arrival at the feedlot (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.