A note on stability of behavioural reactions to handling in red deer hinds and their calves

Abstract

Behavioural responses and their consistency across repeated handling events were measured in 17 red deer hinds and their calves (8 red plus 11 red × wapiti hybrids), to assist in the development of selection criteria. The deer had been extensively handled prior to the study. Individual responses to restraint plus an oral medical treatment were assessed during handling for 6 successive days, over two periods. Calves were restrained manually in a group pen while hinds were drafted individually into a raceway then into a mechanical restraint cradle. Calves showed consistency in struggling responses between the different phases of handling (restraint before and during oral treatment) and the two different handling periods. Red deer calves struggled more frequently and took longer to handle than hybrid calves ( P < 0.01). Hinds showed consistency in individual responses, particularly for behaviour when moving into the cradle, but also for struggling during restraint and behaviour when leaving the cradle.