Behavioral agitation during handling of cattle is persistent over time

Abstract

Cattle which become extremely behaviorally agitated during restraint and handling are dangerous to handlers and are more likely to become stressed. Fifty-three Gelbvich×Simmental×Charolais cross bulls and 102 steers were restrained for blood testing every 30 days in a squeeze chute (crush). At the same time they were also weighed in a single animal scale. Out of four consecutive restraint sessions. five (9%) of the bulls became extremely behaviorally agitated every time they were restrained. During three consecutive restraint sessions, six (6%) of the steers were always behaviorally agitated. Of the bulls, 13 (25%) were very calm and stood still in the squeeze chute. Of the steers. 40 (40%) were always very calm. The implications of the study are that behaviorally agitated behavior is very persistent over a series of handling and restraint sessions, and cattle which repeatedly become agitated during restraint should be culled. There was also a relationship between balking and temperament rating. Agitated bulls balked less during entry into the squeeze chute or scale. Cattle also balked less while entering the scale. This indicates that restraint in the squeeze chute was more aversive than the scale.