EFECTO MEDIOAMBIENTAL Y DEL DISEÑO DE CORRAL EN COMPORTAMIENTO AGONISTA DE BOVINOS EN FINALIZACIÓN INTENSIVA

Abstract

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Environmental factors can affect the welfare of cattle in the feedlot and alter their behavior. <strong>Objective.</strong> The present study determine the effect of the feedlot environment on the agonist behavior of cattle during two seasons in a tropical region of Mexico. <strong>Methodology.</strong> A prospective observational study was conducted in pens identified as Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. The agonist behaviour, environmental temperature, relative humidity and Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) were recorded at 8:00, 12:00 and 16:00 h. <strong>Results</strong>. In autumn, the variation in the threat rate (34 vs. 14; P <0.05) and bumps (20 vs. 12, P <0.01) is influenced by the THI value and the hour of day; at 8:00 the THI did not exceed 77 units, while at 12:00 and 16:00, it exceeded 82 units. In Flehmen's reaction, mounts and vocalizations influenced the hour and design of the pen (P <0.02). In winter, the mounts (18 vs. 10) occurred when the THI value was 69 units (P <0.01), and decreased when it increased to 74 units. The Flehmen´s reaction was higher in Type 3 (14 vs. 7) than in Type 1 (P <0.01). <strong>Implications. </strong>The agonist behavior of cattle, as measured in this work, should be considered as a measured of cattle welfare indicators in feedlots <strong>Conclusions</strong>. The increase of THI and design of the pen influence the manifestation of agonist behavior in beef cattle.</p>