Compartment height in cattle transport vehicles

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of the space between the withers and the compartment ceiling on freedom of movement. The investigation was based on physical, biochemical and behavioural measurements during commercial transports.In total 7 transports were performed with cattle (adult dairy cattle, pregnant heifers and rosé veal calves) using a double deck vehicle with natural or forced ventilation for transportation to a slaughter house or assembly place for further shipment. The ceiling was set at 10, 15 or 20cm for adult dairy cattle and rosé veal calves and 40cm for pregnant heifers, above the withers.Adult dairy cattle and rosé veal calves head-butted the ceiling and pregnant heifers did not. Adult cattle move less (P<0.001) than rosé veal calves during transport. No cases of superficial skin bruising were observed after transport.Rectal temperature remained within the normal values of 38.6±0.5°C. Furthermore, heart beat rate increased during loading from approximately 80 to 110beats/min (bpm) in calves, from 80 to 140bpm in pregnant heifers and from 60 to 75bpm in adult cattle and this is normalised during transport.Most blood parameters changed only marginally. Blood Ht and Hb levels appeared to differ significantly due to treatment (P<0.05). However this was compounded due to a lower base level (on-farm) for the 15cm group. No significant effect was observed due to treatment. This once again was confounded by farm of origin (same as above).It is suggested that it might be possible with a clearance of more than 20cm above the withers to decrease the period of head-butting in cattle. Rectal temperature, heart rate and blood parameters were not affected by treatment.