Effect of gentle handling on the reactivity of zebu crossed calves to humans

Abstract

The effects of gentle handling of zebu crossed beef calves by humans were studied. Forty Nelore × European male and female calves, born in spring and reared under free-range conditions, were randomly divided into two groups: treatment ( n = 20) and control ( n = 20). The treatment animals were individually exposed at 1–2 months of age to one daily session of 90 s of gentle handling in the crush for 10 days, during 3 weeks. A response-to-humans test was conducted in the pound 3 days after the handling sessions. Animals were individually introduced into the pound and their reactions to two stationary experimenters were videorecorded and quantified. Non-handled calves moved more ( P < 0.01) and looked less ( P < 0.01) at the experimenters than handled ones. More non-handled animals showed aggressive behaviour towards humans ( P < 0.05). None of the handled calves attempted to escape, while 30% ( n = 6) of the non-handled calves did ( P < 0.05), and, in fact, escaped by jumping over the wall or gates of the pound. Although production traits of zebu crossbred cattle are well recognized, most farmers in the south of Brazil complain of the difficulty of handling these animals due to their ‘wild temperament’. Gentler handling methods could improve the ease of handling of these animals, diminishing losses due to injury of animals, as well as labour costs.