The reluctance of cattle to change a learned choice may confound preference tests

Abstract

Choice testing utilizing a Y-maze has been successfully used to test animal preferences. In this experiment, 12 female Angus×Hereford×Simmental×Charolais heifers were given a choice of walking through a squeeze chute (crush) or being restrained in a squeeze chute. The objective of the study was to determine if previously learned choices in a Y-maze would confound future choices. A start box led to two races in a Y configuration. There was a hydraulic squeeze chute at the end of each race. Animals that chose the right side were allowed to walk through the squeeze chute and animals that chose the left side were restrained in the squeeze chute for 30 s. During eight choice trials, the heifers had a definite preference for the ‘walk’ side. There were 64 walk choices and 32 ‘restraint’ choices. For six additional trials, the restraint and walk sides were switched. Walk choices dropped to 16 and restraint choices rose to 56. The resistance to switching effect was significant ( P<0.01). Significantly more heifers vacillated (looked back and forth) at the decisionpoint after the sides were switched ( P<0.01). The switch had been perceived by the animals. There is a tendency for cattle to resist changing a choice once they are accustomed to a treatment being associated with a specific side.