Stress responses to comparative handling procedures in sheep

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare some husbandry procedures on the base of physiological stress parameters and evaluate the welfare status in sheep. Forty ewes were used as the study material. Measurements were taken during several routine husbandry procedures such as milking, shearing, weighing, loading and hoof care. Data regarding time spent for each application, as well as heart and respiratory rates were recorded during the applications. Blood samples were taken 15 min before and after each application and malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px), cortisol T 3 and T 4 parameters were measured. In addition, changes in the same parameters between pre-and post-application periods were evaluated. According to the results, machine milking caused less stress than hand milking. No significant difference was seen between shearing methods for hand shearer or clipper; however, both applications caused stress in animals. The results for weighing methods of animals demonstrated significant differences in cortisol, T 3 and T 4 values in favor of traditional method. Cortisol, T 3 and T 4 levels were significantly higher in manual loading compared with loading by ramp. Regarding hoof care, all the examined parameters differed in favor of modern method. On the other hand, significant differences were determined between the stress parameters regarding pre-and postapplications. All values differed for hand milking while no significant difference was observed in MDA and T 3 values in machine milking group. Parameters in weighing groups changed significantly. For loading process, GSH, cortisol, T 3 and T 4 values differed in both treatment groups. With regard to hoof care, parameters except T 4 in laying group differed significantly. An increase occurred in minute-based measurements of heart and respiratory rates parallel to physiological data. The number of the respiratory rates during the applications differed except for the shearing process. All the parameters displayed significant differences between groups in terms of heart rates. Time spent for each application also differed between groups. Time saved for milking, shearing, weighing, loading and hoof care was 3.23 min, 4.37 min, 1.71 min, 7.85 s and 1.55 min, respectively. These results appear to provide a tangible advantage of using new husbandry methods to the breeders. It was concluded that using new methods in sheep husbandry procedures provided advantages in terms of saving time and reducing labor, as well as improved conditions for welfare of animals. In addition, it facilitated the routine works and flock husbandry.

Effect of transport on blood selenium and glutathione status in feeder lambs1

“…3). Yardimci et al (2013) recently showed in sheep that handling associated with weighing decreases reduced GSH concentrations in blood, which could explain the decrease in GSH concentrations in control lambs (Fig. 3).…”

Relationship between different livestock managements and stress response in dairy ewes

“…hand or machine milking), can markedly affect the welfare, health and production performance of dairy sheep. Although the use of the milking machine belonging to the modern farming systems determines a reduction in the animal handling and, consequently, a decrease in stress (Yardimci et al, 2013), the milking rooms show some critical points that can be a source of stress. Under stressful stimuli the body must find a new dynamic equilibrium, and this requires several adaptive body responses.…”

“…The transition to modern farming systems can impose severe restrictions on the space available for dairy sheep. The use of the milking machine belongs to the modern farming systems and it determines a reduction in the animals handling and, consequently, a decrease in stress (Yardimci et al, 2013). However, the milking rooms show some critical points that can be a source of stress.…”

Progesterona y respuesta de estrés: mecanismos de acción y sus repercusiones en rumiantes domésticos. Revisión

“…The stress generated by shearing has several components: the movement of animals to the pens, noises and movements related to shearing of other animals, handling and restraint during shearing in an unknown environment, and shearing itself (63) . In addition, it also adds thermal stress generated by the loss of the naturally insulating layer of wool, especially when it is done in winter (64) . The stress response is similar in sheep sheared by hand or with a shearing machine (65) .…”

“…El estrés generado por la esquila tiene varios componentes: el movimiento de los animales al corral, ruidos y movimientos vinculados a la esquila de los otros animales, manipulación e inmovilización durante la esquila en un entorno desconocido y la esquila en sí misma (63) . Por otro lado, también se suma el estrés térmico generado por la pérdida de la capa naturalmente aislante del ovino, especialmente cuando se realiza en invierno (64) . La respuesta de estrés es similar en ovejas esquiladas a mano o con máquina de esquilar (65) .…”