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The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of transport time up to 12 h on welfare of bulls and cows. Cattle transport vehicle was used for the experiment. Sensors to measure temperature, relative humidity and video camera to monitor behaviour were mounted in observation pen. Eighteen measurements were performed during summer and winter for 4, 8, and 12 h transport time with three replications. To determine cortisol, glucose, lactate, and creatine kinase concentrations, blood samples were collected before and after transport from 80 bulls, 82 cows and 20 control animals. Cortisol concentration was generally inversely proportional to transport time (P < 0.001). Glucose concentration for cows was the highest at 12 h and the lowest at 8 h and for bulls it increased with transport time (P < 0.002). Lactate level generally correlated with transport time (P < 0.001), but for bulls the highest and the lowest were at 8 and 4 h in winter. Creatine kinase concentration positively correlated with transport time for bulls and cows but at different rates. Loss of balance and swaying strongly correlated with transport time (P < 0.002). Based on behaviour, stress hormones and pH values, an increase from 4 to 8 h had a higher effect than from 8 to 12 h transport time on welfare and subsequent meat quality.

Abstract:In Africa, donkeys have significant contribution in traction operation, but there is little research related to workload and their welfare. The objective of this work was to examine the effect of various loads on donkeys' physiological and behavioural responses to evaluate welfare. Donkeys weighing of 132-172 kg (159 ± 11 kg) and totally 20 were used for the experiment. The experimental design included two wheeled cart × seven load class (an increment of 100 kg) with five repetitions each, and the travelled distance was 2 km. Travelled time, behavioural occurrences and physiological responses were recorded. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS (version 9.4) software programme. When loads were 500-700 kg, heavy and rapid panting and falling down occurred frequently. When loads increased successively and reached 500, 600 and 700 kg, speed started declining from 3.68 km/h to 3.5, 2.94 and 2.54 km/h, respectively, indicating that speed and applied loads are inversely correlated (P < 0.001). Heart rate was 129 ± 11 bpm at 700 kg, and in respect to resting state, donkeys' heart rate elevated by a factor of up to 3. As the load exceeded 400 kg, the speed declined significantly, and behavioural occurrences like heavy panting and falling down confirmed this. This leads to the conclusion that donkeys could pull about 2.7 times of their live weight. But if they have continuous and long working hours (about 6 h), it is recommended to keep load of two wheeled cart about double of donkeys live weight so as to safe guard donkeys' welfare.