Does repeated regrouping alter the social behaviour of heifers?

Raussi, Satu; Boissy, Alain; Delval, Eric; Pradel, Philippe; Kaihilahti, Jutta; Veissier, Isabelle

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2004.12.001

Cited by 53 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We have previously detected that heifers do not habituate to repeated mixing as seen through the more and more frequent agonistic interactions when regrouping is repeated several times [29] whereas very few interactions have been observed between newly mixed calves [46]. Due to this lack of behavioural habituation, regrouping may affect the heifers' emotional reactivity, physiology and production to a greater extent than it does in calves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Repeated regrouping of pair-housed heifers around puberty affects their behavioural and HPA axis reactivities

et al. 2006

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

-This paper analyses the consequences of repeated regrouping of dairy heifers according to their behaviour, stress physiology and production. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were housed in pairs. Between 11 and 13 months of age, half were subjected to 16 pen relocations each time with a new peer (regrouped heifers), while the other half remained in the same pen with the same peer (controls). The heifers were observed in standardised behavioural tests comprising sudden (opening of an umbrella), novel (an unfamiliar arena) or predator-related (dog) stimuli. All behavioural tests were conducted on three sessions between the 13th and the 16th regroupings. The functioning of the HPA axis was assessed through blockade by dexamethasone and stimulation by ACTH after the 14th regrouping and stimulation by CRF after the 15th regrouping. Weight gain was assessed during the regrouping period and reproduction (No. of inseminations before successful insemination) thereafter. Regrouped heifers reacted less than the controls to the umbrella (χ 2 = 8.23, P < 0.05). They started eating more quickly in the arena (F = 10.8, P < 0.01). In the presence of the dog, they were less active (F = 6.26, P < 0.05) and tended to look at the dog less often (F = 3.63, P < 0.10). The reduction in behavioural responses from one session to the next one was more pronounced in regrouped heifers (e.g. number of eating bouts: F (session × treatment) = 4.23, P < 0.05). Regrouped heifers had lower cortisol responses to CRF. In conclusion, repeatedly regrouped heifers appear less disturbed by unusual situations and habituate to those more quickly. According to the behaviour of heifers and as suggested by their lower cortisol responses, diversity rather than stability of the social environment appears more beneficial to them. été élevées par paires. Au sein de huit paires, les animaux ont changé de partenaires une à deux fois par semaine entre 11 et 13 mois d'âge, pour un total de 16 mélanges (génisses " mélangées "). Ces mélanges s'accompagnaient également de changements de parc. Les huit autres paires sont restées inchangées (génisses " témoins "). La réactivité comportementale a été mesurée en exposant les génisses à un événement soudain (ouverture d'un parapluie), à un environnement nouveau (alimentation dans un nouvel enclos) et à un prédateur (chien). Chaque test était répété trois fois, entre le 13 e et le 16 e mélange. Le fonctionnement de l'axe corticotrope a été évalué à l'aide d'un test de freination par la dexamethasone puis stimulation par l'ACTH après le 14 e mélange et par un test de stimulation au CRF après le 15 e mélange. Le gain de poids a été évalué par pesée hebdomadaire au cours des 16 mélanges. Par la suite, le nombre d'inséminations avant insémination fécondante a été relevé. Les génisses mélangées ont réagi à l'ouverture du parapluie moins fortement que les témoins (χ 2 = 8,23, P < 0,05). Elles ont commencé à manger plus rapidement dans l'enclos nouveau (F = 10,8, P < 0,01). En présence du chien, elles ont été moins actives (...

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The animals, housing and experimental treatments are the same as reported by Raussi et al [29]. Briefly, thirty-two female Holstein-Friesian calves born in October 2000 were housed in pairs in 1.8 × 2 m pens separated by solid wooden partitions.…”

Section: Animals Housing and Experimental Treatmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Repeated regrouping of pair-housed heifers around puberty affects their behavioural and HPA axis reactivities

et al. 2006

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Large herds can be composed of more groups, e.g. heifers and cows may be divided into two or more groups [2,28]. However, it will be mainly a decomposition of the groups considered in this study into more groups instead of completely new groups.…”

Section: Model Assumptions On Virus Introduction and Herd Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of herd structure and type of virus introduction on the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) on the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) within a dairy herd

2008

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Frequent regrouping decreases the resting time, induces an increase in activity and therefore results in constant restlessness within the group (Raussi et al 2005). Regrouping of single cows leads to more agonistic behaviour against newly introduced animals than the simultaneous integration of several familiar cows (Neisen et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The arrangement of new groups, especially when unfamiliar animals are mingled, leads to an increase in rank order fights (z.B. Raussi 2005, Kucevic et al 2010). The hierarchy is stable after approximately three weeks (Brakel & Leis 1976).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of rank, group size and number of group changes ante partum on the occurrence of milk ejection disorders in primiparous cows – a field study

2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the present study causes for the development of milk ejection disorders (MED) in primiparous cows of two herds were investigated. We hypothesised that MED are provoked by social problems within the herd that appear close to calving. Data were collected on 67 heifers of herd A and 60 heifers of herd B. In herd A, heifers were introduced into existing groups of cows 2-4 weeks prior to calving. They were kept in a group housing system with deep bedding. All animals were hornless. In herd B, heifers were kept separated from the cows from 2-4 weeks a.p. in a three-row cubicle barn. In contrast to herd A, all animals had horns.The animals´ reactions regarding the milking process and MED were analysed during the first four milkings p.p. We evaluated the correlation between social rank, group size and frequency of group changes in the antepartal period and the occurrence of MED.12 % of the animals in herd A and 47 % of the animals in herd B showed MED. In herd A, lowranking heifers had significantly more often MED than higher-ranking heifers. A correlation between low rank, increasing strain due to rank order fights and increasing frequency of MED can be assumed here. In herd B, a correlation between stocking rate and frequency of MED could be observed. Keywords

show abstract

Does repeated regrouping alter the social behaviour of heifers?

Cited by 53 publications

References 12 publications

Repeated regrouping of pair-housed heifers around puberty affects their behavioural and HPA axis reactivities

Repeated regrouping of pair-housed heifers around puberty affects their behavioural and HPA axis reactivities

Influence of herd structure and type of virus introduction on the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) on the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) within a dairy herd

Effect of rank, group size and number of group changes ante partum on the occurrence of milk ejection disorders in primiparous cows – a field study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About