Suckling Behavior Research Articles

Suckling behavior of calves in seasonally calving pasture-based dairy systems, and possible environmental and management factors affecting suckling behaviors

In recent years, interest has been increasing in whether farmed animals are able to live a reasonably natural life, with one particular area of concern being calf-dam separation. The objectives of this study were to monitor the timing and frequency of suckling behavior of calves left on pasture to suckle their dams for up to 24 h (interquartile range 4.0-15.5 h) and to investigate possible risk factors that may contribute to any variability seen. Over 2 yr, a convenience sample of 8 farms (4 in the North Island, 4 in the South Island of New Zealand) were involved in an observational study where cows and calves were observed for 24 h a day over a 2-wk-long period per farm. During the observation period, farmers continued to remove calves at the same frequency they normally did (which ranged from once a day to 4 times a day). Cows (between 2 and 12 yr old) and calves were observed from a scissor lift in or beside the calving paddock. Cows had numbers written on them, and observers used binoculars and spotlights. Observers recorded the length of stage 2 labor, time of birth, standing, and first suckling, number of suckling events, time of calf removal from the dam, temperature where the cows were grazing, and size of the grazing area they were calving in. Dams were body condition scored before calving, and their age was extracted from farm records. A total of 697 calves were observed during the study. A total of 444 of 697 calves [63.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 60.0-67.3%] suckled in the calving paddock (farm range 40.0% to 90.2%). Of the 444 calves that suckled in the calving paddock, 407 (58.4%; 95% CI 54.6-62.1%) suckled within the first 6 h after birth (farm range 33.0% to 83.6%). Individual risk factors associated with the hazard rate ratio (HR) for time to first suckling event were time to standing (calves who took more than 1.3 h to stand had a longer time from birth to first suckle) and age of the dam [compared with calves that were born from dams >7 years of age, calves born to dams that were 2-3 and 4-7 yr of age had a 1.49 (95% CI 1.07-2.06) and 1.19 (95% CI 0.89-1.60) HR, respectively, for time from birth to first suckle in the calving paddock]. Farm risk factors associated with the HR of suckling were frequency of calf collection [calves that were born on farms that collected calves once a day suckled earlier than calves on farms that removed calves more than once a day (HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.25-1.84)] and temperature [a minimum temperature of <10°C within 6 h of a calf being born was associated with a 0.69 (95% CI 0.53-0.89) hazard of suckling in the calving paddock]. We observed very large farm variability that urgently requires further investigation if pasture-based farms are ever to adopt a system where calves remain with their dams for longer than 24 h.

Characterizing the suckling behavior by video and 3D-accelerometry in humpback whale calves on a breeding ground.

Getting maternal milk through nursing is vital for all newborn mammals. Despite its importance, nursing has been poorly documented in humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Nursing is difficult to observe underwater without disturbing the whales and is usually impossible to observe from a ship. We attempted to observe nursing from the calf’s perspective by placing CATS cam tags on three humpback whale calves in the Sainte Marie channel, Madagascar, Indian Ocean, during the breeding seasons. CATS cam tags are animal-borne multi-sensor tags equipped with a video camera, a hydrophone, and several auxiliary sensors (including a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis magnetometer, and a depth sensor). The use of multi-sensor tags minimized potential disturbance from human presence. A total of 10.52 h of video recordings were collected with the corresponding auxiliary data. Video recordings were manually analyzed and correlated with the auxiliary data, allowing us to extract different kinematic features including the depth rate, speed, Fluke Stroke Rate (FSR), Overall Body Dynamic Acceleration (ODBA), pitch, roll, and roll rate. We found that suckling events lasted 18.8 ± 8.8 s on average (N = 34) and were performed mostly during dives. Suckling events represented 1.7% of the total observation time. During suckling, the calves were visually estimated to be at a 30–45° pitch angle relative to the midline of their mother’s body and were always observed rolling either to the right or to the left. In our auxiliary dataset, we confirmed that suckling behavior was primarily characterized by a high average absolute roll and additionally we also found that it was likely characterized by a high average FSR and a low average speed. Kinematic features were used for supervised machine learning in order to subsequently detect suckling behavior automatically. Our study is a proof of method on which future investigations can build upon. It opens new opportunities for further investigation of suckling behavior in humpback whales and the baleen whale species.

Relationship between foal daily gain, suckling behavior, and the distance between foals and their mares in the first 40 days of life of Hokkaido native horses kept outdoors year-round.

In this study, we investigated suckling behavior and the distance between a foal and its mare as indicators of foal growth in Hokkaido native horses (HKD) during the first 40 days of life. Direct observations were made of 22 mare and foal pairs from two consecutive days 1 and 2, 5 and 6, 10 and 11, 20 and 21, 30 and 31, and 40 and 41 after birth by focal animal sampling for 3h per day. Suckling behavior was continuously recorded, along with the terminator. The distance between the foal and its mare was determined using the instantaneous sampling method (1min), and the percentage was calculated within 4m while the foal was recumbent (DPW4FR). In the first week after birth, the duration and frequency of suckling terminated by the foal were negatively correlated with foal daily gains (duration, -0.49, p = 0.028; frequency, -0.53, p = 0.017). The DPW4FR and daily gain during 10-40 days after birth showed significant negative correlation (-0.47, p = 0.031). It is suggested that in HKD reproduction systems, suckling behavior termination by the foal and the distance between the foal and mare may be indicators of early foal growth.

Suckling strategies in terrestrial ungulates (Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla) and the factors influencing them: the offspring perspective

AbstractIn order to survive, ungulate young obtain their mother’s colostrum and milk through a variety of suckling strategies. Here, these strategies and the factors that influence them are reviewed and interpreted primarily from the perspective of the young. Suckling strategies are determined by a variety of factors, some of which play a role even before birth. Neonatal suckling behaviour depends first on the type of placenta and the developmental stage of the young at birth. Ungulates have an epitheliochorial placenta in which transplacental transport of immunoglobulins is impeded. Therefore, they are born in a hypo−/agammaglobulinemic state hence, timely intake of sufficient colostrum is a life-or-death situation and an unsuccessful suckling strategy is likely to result in death. Precociality enables the newborn ungulate to actively participate in the suckling process immediately after birth, which is critically important. After the prenatally defined physiological needs are satisfied, young suckling strategy is influenced by other factors. Continuous milk production requires constant use and stimulation of the mammary gland. Brain lateralization has also been found to play a role in suckling behaviour. Finally, competition between siblings or peers in the social group also influences young suckling strategies. Sibling competition particularly affects polytocous ungulates and leads to suckling order, for example. Similarly, interactions within the social group create the conditions for the emergence of specific strategies, including allosuckling, strategy of suckling a non-filial mother. The young suckling strategies in ungulates basically represent an evolutionary intertwining of offspring selfishness and selection that maximises inclusive fitness.

Effect of udder morphology on milk yield and suckling behaviour of patanwadi lambs

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between udder traits, milk yield and lamb suckling behaviour in Patanwadi lambs (n=30) during August to October 2019. The mean body condition score was significantly (p<0.05) less at 40 and 60 days of lactation The average udder tissue content score, udder circumference, udder depth and udder width showed significant (p<0.05) difference between 1st (4.37±0.14, 41.80±0.87cm, 16.90±0.53 cm and 14.93±0.28 cm) and 60th (3.23±0.10, 35.47±0.73 cm, 14.33±0.33 cm and 13.43±0.27 cm) days of lactation. The total sucking duration, sucking frequency, sucking bout, suckling bout frequency, mean bout duration and hindering attempts by dam significantly (p<0.01) decreased from 1st (5.24±0.22, 4.49±0.20/min, 9.16±0.39, 2.62±0.14/min, 45.27±2.09 sec and 1.30±0.31no) to 60th (1.60±0.11, 1.59±0.11/min, 3.67±0.17, 0.94±0.07/min, 18.01±1.61sec and 7.33±0.31) day of lactation while number of sucking attempts non-significantly decreased during the same period. The average daily milk yield of sheep significantly (p<0.01) decreased from 897±35.47g in 1st day to 686±33.56g in 60th day of lactation. The total sucking duration, sucking number and frequency, sucking bout number and frequency and mean bout duration were significantly (p<0.05) correlated with milk yield, udder tissue content and overall shape or suspension of udder. It was inferred that udder conformation and morphology affect suckling behaviour of lambs, dams having symmetrical, wider and capacious udders with clear demarcation between left and right mammary quarters favoured longer sucking durations with a greater number and longer sucking bouts in lambs.

Effect of switching sows’ positions during lactation on suckling behaviour and performance of co-mingling piglets

Under natural conditions, piglets have the opportunity to interact with non-littermates before weaning. Nevertheless, in intensive production systems, piglets only have contact with penmates during lactation. Social interactions can be encouraged by removing the barrier between litters whilst the sows are kept in their own crates. However, when piglets are co-mingled at the first days of lactation, studies have shown that a high percentage of them suck with their own mother during all the suckling period, regardless of nipples availability. This study aimed to investigate the effect of switching sows’ positions between early co-mingled litters on suckling episodes, durations and maternal suckling. Eight sows’ pairs were housed in adjacent pens before farrowing. Piglets were socialized by removing the separating barriers between two adjacent pens on day 2 post-farrowing. The position of four sows’ pairs was switched at day 14 post-farrowing (Switched group), while the remaining four sows’ pairs remained in their original crates (Control group). The suckling behaviour of piglets was video recorded during the whole experiment (day 2–23). After sows were switched, a decrease suckling duration was observed in Switched group (P = 0.015), a situation that was also observed when analysing one day before and after the change in position. (P = 0.018). The number of suckling episodes decreased in both groups (P < 0.001) after sows were switched. However, when analysing one day before and after switching the number of suckling episodes increased (P < 0.001). Maternal suckling decrease in both groups after sows were switched (P = 0.013). However, no differences were observed one day before and after the switching of sows. No effect of switching sows’ position was observed on productive parameters of piglets (P > 0.05). The suckling behaviour in early co-mingled piglets slightly change after the sows’ position was switched at an intermediate stage of lactation. A decrease in the suckling duration and an increase in the number of episodes one day after sows were switched probably reflect a momentary confusion of the animals. However, although there may have been operant conditioning at the site of consumption, this was not enough to significantly reduce maternal suckling in contrast with previous literature that separated barriers at the middle of the suckling period, reinforcing the operant conditioning through a greater period of conditioning experience.

Maternal and Neonatal Behaviour in Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes.

Simple SummaryA clear understanding of species-specific natural behaviours is crucial for assessing animal welfare. In this regard, one of the most sensitive and critical moments for dairy farming animals is the post-partum period. Currently, very little information is available on this period in buffaloes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the maternal and neonatal behavioural patterns of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes during the early post-partum period and the relationship of both dam and calf welfare indicators (e.g., behaviours and growth rate). Behavioural patterns (postural, grooming, maternal rejection, and feeding) are described in detail for both dams and calves. Maternal rejection behaviours (pawing the calf, pushing the calf, and avoidance behaviour) are found to be negatively correlated with calf growth. In this regard, monitoring buffaloes’ maternal behaviours seems to be crucial, especially for primiparous mothers, in order to prevent welfare consequences for newborns when raised together.The aim of this study was to describe the neonatal and maternal behaviour of Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. Thirty primiparous buffaloes were moved into individual pens 12.5 (±2.5) days before calving. Maternal and neonatal behaviours were recorded for 48 h after calving and the analysis was performed in continuous sampling with the software BORIS. Calves’ clinical evaluations (temperature, weight, and heart and respiratory rates) were performed at different time intervals and correlated with behavioural data from the dam. Data were analysed with parametric and non-parametric methods after controlling their distribution. The maternal behavioural pattern found highlighted buffaloes’ priorities during the post-partum period: firstly, they stand and start grooming to ensure proper care for the calf; it is only after this that they dedicate time to maintenance behaviours (feeding and lying). The dams mainly groomed the calf during the first six hours after calving (average time in the 1–6-h interval: 7.7 ± 2.5 min., F = (2.5, 60.2) = 75.0; p < 0.001) to ensure the formation of the mother–infant bond; thereafter, the behaviour decreased over time. As reported in the literature, inexperienced mothers could sometimes delay the calf’s first suckling with aggressive or rejection behaviours. In this regard, 16 buffalo dams showed at least one maternal rejection behaviour, which was found to negatively correlate with calves’ daily weight gain (DWG) at 14 (rs = −0.5, p = 0.02) and 21 days (rs = −0.7, p < 0.001). The calves took on average 212.0 ± 110.0 min to suckle, and this behaviour was mainly shown during the first six hours. Overall, suckling behaviour was correlated with standing: (rs = 0.6, p < 0.001) and walking (rs = 0.9, p < 0.001). The calves’ live weight and DWG were consistently higher than the values reported in the literature. Our results present a detailed description of maternal and neonatal behaviour in the early post-partum period in Italian Mediterranean buffaloes. We also found that maternal rejection behaviours can negatively influence the calves’ growth. Finally, we think that such results can improve the management of buffaloes during the period around parturition.

Recording cattle maternal behaviour using proximity loggers and tri-axial accelerometers

The close proximities between cow–calf pairs and suckling behaviour of calves are very important for calf survival; as the cow provides nutrients (milk) and protection to the calf from predators and teaches various important life survival skills. In extensive production systems, with the help of technology précised and accurate data of animal behaviour can be obtained. This study used tri-axial accelerometers and proximity loggers to record the time spent in suckling and in close proximity by cow–calf pairs, respectively. The relationship between these two behaviours and similarities in circadian variations were explored. The use of proximity loggers as a proxy for accelerometers to record suckling behaviour was investigated. The effect of sex, age, birth weight of calves; weight of both cows and calves at the time of data collection and parity of cows on the time spent by cow–calf pairs in close proximity was determined. During the 2015–16 breeding season, 28 B. taurus (Belmont Red) cow–calf pairs were studied for 12 days. Proximity logging collars were fitted to all cows and calves, while calves were also fitted with halters containing tri-axial accelerometers on the right-side strap. The results showed that calves spent on average 102.5 ± 13.26 min per day in close proximity to their dams, with the average duration of each close proximity was 0.7 ± 0.07 min, and the average number of close proximities in 24 h was 128.5 ± 16.98. Calves spent a total of 73.3 ± 7.36 min per day suckling, with an average duration of each suckling bout of 9.4 ± 0.39 min, and an average number of 7.7 ± 0.67 suckling bouts in 24 h. There was no relation found between any parameters of time spent in close proximity with time spent in suckling. All the suckling events recorded by accelerometers were not recorded as close proximity by proximity loggers due to interrupted signals, confirming that proximity loggers were not a suitable proxy to record the suckling bouts. The frequency, average duration and total duration of contacts between cow–calf pairs were greater during non-suckling events compared with suckling events. Three similar peaks in circadian pattern of frequency of contact and suckling were found. The calves’ age, birth weight, weight of both calves and cows at the time of data collection and parities of cows had no effect on their close proximity. The female calves contacted with their dams more frequently than male calves.

Is There a Link between Suckling and Manipulation Behavior during Rearing in Pigs?

Simple SummaryTail biting, a well-known problem in modern pig production, reduces pigs’ welfare and causes economic losses. It is influenced by several external and internal factors, such as housing condition, management, genetics, and age of the animals. Within the internal factors, the individual predisposition to tail biting is difficult to identify. In our study, we analyzed the manipulation behaviors of weaner pigs and their relationship with agonistic behaviors of the piglets during suckling to identify groups of piglets which showed similar suckling and rearing behaviors. In our experiment tail biting increased at the middle and end of rearing. Most animals were observed as both biters and victims of tail biting. During our observations, we found indications that tail-biting pigs showed mainly submissive behavior in teat disputes. These pigs might compensate their submissiveness by biting tails to chase other pigs from resources with restricted access, such as feed or enrichment material. Further research should consider more aspects of a pigs’ personality suitable for early identification of pigs predisposed for later tail biting. This early identification would allow intervention measures to be taken earlier, thereby reducing tail biting and its consequences. Inadequate possibilities to perform oral manipulation behavior for pigs can lead to misdirection and thus tail biting. Our study aimed to analyze manipulation behaviors of weaner pigs with focus on tail biting and the relationship with agonistic characteristics of the piglets during suckling. We analyzed the individual manipulation behavior of 188 weaner pigs. General health condition and tail lesions were determined weekly. Correlations were estimated between weight at weaning and at the end of rearing period, frequency of manipulative rearing behaviors and Dominance and social tension index based on suckling behavior. Principal component and cluster analyses were performed to identify groups of piglets which showed similar suckling and rearing behaviors. Tail biting increased at the middle and end of rearing with switching roles of biters and victims. Tail lesions were correlated with received tail biting behavior but occurred with a delay of more than a week. The frequency of performed tail biting was correlated with dominance index (rs = −0.256, p < 0.01) and weaning weight (rs = −0.199, p < 0.05). We assume that performed tail biting is more often observed in pigs who show mainly submissive behavior in teat disputes.

Randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of xylazine sedation in 2- to 6-week-old dairy calves disbudded with a cautery iron

The use of local anesthesia and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can reduce indicators of pain and inflammation and encourage self-rewarding behavior in calves following disbudding. Although the use of sedation may be recommended as a best practice for disbudding, there is little research in this area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of xylazine sedation in conjunction with a local anesthetic and an NSAID in calves undergoing cautery disbudding. One hundred twenty-two group-housed female and male Holstein calves fed milk with automated feeders, aged 13 to 44 d, were enrolled over 9 replicates and randomly allocated to 1 of 2 treatments: (1) sedated: lidocaine cornual nerve block, 0.5 mg/kg meloxicam (administered subcutaneously) and 0.2 mg/kg xylazine (administered intramuscularly), or (2) nonsedated: lidocaine cornual nerve block and meloxicam. Outcomes collected consisted of feeding behavior (collected using automated milk feeders), latency to drink milk following disbudding, play behavior (induced by adding bedding), lying behavior, mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT, measured using a pressure force algometer), struggling behavior during disbudding, length of time to administer the nerve block, length of time to disbud, and serum haptoglobin concentrations. Data were analyzed using mixed models with a fixed effect for baseline values and a random effect for trial replicate. Linear regression was used to assess continuous outcomes, logistic regression for binary outcomes, and Poisson and negative binomial models for count data with negative binomial models used if the over dispersion term was significant. There were no detected differences between the treatment groups in mean daily milk consumption in the 72-h following disbudding. Sedated calves had reduced average milk drinking speed from 0 to 24 h and 24 to 48 h following disbudding compared with nonsedated calves, but no difference was detected from 48 to 72 h. Sedated calves had reduced MNT at 0, 60, and 240 min after disbudding, but no differences were detected between groups at 24 h after disbudding. Nonsedated calves had 4.5 times the odds (95% CI: 1.5-13.2) of struggling more than twice during the disbudding procedure compared with sedated calves, and it took less time to administer a nerve block to sedated calves compared with nonsedated. At +3 h, nonsedated calves were 79 times (95% CI: 22.4 to 279.2) more likely to play compared with sedated calves, and 24 h after disbudding, sedated calves were 2 times more likely to play compared with nonsedated calves (95% CI: 0.93-4.3). The results indicate that calves sedated with xylazine for cautery disbudding responded less to painful stimuli (disbudding and MNT) both during and following the procedure and had a higher rate of play behavior 24 h following sedation compared with the nonsedated calves, but xylazine may also have a prolonged carryover effect that affects suckling behavior for 48 h following sedation.

Does social facilitation affect suckling behaviour in zebras?

Many recent studies show that synchronisation of various behaviours are advantageous for group-living mammals. However, studies on synchronisation of suckling behaviour inmonotocous species are nearly absent. We observed 49 individual foals of three zebra species in Dvůr Králové Zoo, and recorded a total of 5 890 suckling bouts, almost one fifth (1 036) of which were synchronised (defined as at least two bouts overlapping at the same time). We found that synchronised suckling bouts lasted longer and were less likely to be terminated by the mother than non-synchronised ones. This is in line with social facilitation theory. In addition the occurrence of synchronised suckling bout differed interspecifically. In plains (Equus quagga) and mountain zebra (E. zebra) the probability of synchronised bouts increased with increasing numbers of foals, whereas the opposite result was found in Grevy’s zebra (E. grevyi). We suggest that the interspecific differences may reflect differences in social organisation of respective species as suckling synchronisation rate was higher in species that form nurseries in the wild.

Changes in the suckling behaviour of beef calves at 1 month and 4 months of age and effect on cow production variables

The experiment used tri-axial accelerometers to record changes in suckling behaviour in beef calves with advancing age and also investigated the correlations between suckling behaviour, production variables and postpartum anestrous period (PPAP) of cows. Data were collected from 20 Bos taurus calves reared under pastoral conditions of northern Australia over two periods: when calves were on average1 and 4 months old. Calves suckled less frequently per 24 h at 4 months (8.2 ± 0.66 times) than at 1 month of age (9.8 ± 0.46 times, P < 0.05); however, calves had significantly longer suckling durations per bout at 4 months (9.3 ± 0.35 min) than 1 month of age (8.3 ± 0.31 min, P < 0.05). The suckling behaviour of calves had no effect on their average daily weight gain (ADWG) (P> 0.05). However, the ADWG of cows were negatively associated with suckling duration per bout (rho=-0.54, P < 0.05). Cow’s PPAP was shorter when they had greater body condition score (BCS) (at 4 months of calf’s age rho=-0.49, P < 0.05), greater loin eye muscle area (LEMA) (at 1 month of calf’s age rho=-0.58, P < 0.05; at 4 months of calf’s age rho = 0.57, P < 0.05) and greater fat depth over rib (at 1month of calf’s age rho=-0.45, P < 0.05). Dams with greater fat depth over their ribs at 1 month of their calves’ age nursed their calves less frequently when they were 4 months old (rho=-0.52, P < 0.05). It is concluded that calf suckling behaviour changes with age, specifically bout length increases and suckling frequency decreases. Additionally, the calves of dams in greater body condition suckle less frequently, suggesting the dams may have greater overall reproduction efficiency.

Suckling behaviour of West African dwarf goat kids

During suckling, goat kids exhibit different kinds of behavior which could be germane to their general performance. The objective of this study was to determine suckling behaviour of West African dwarf (WAD) goat kids with respect to some behavioural measurements. A total number of 21 WAD does comprising of 1st and 2nd parity with live weight range of 9.5kg-16.5kg with a total of 26 kids (12males and 14females) in a small holder dairy goat were used. Data on suckling behaviour (suckling bout, duration of suckling and number of butts during suckling) was monitored to investigate the effect of birth type (singleton and twin) and kid sex (male and female). Behaviours were observed twice/day i.e. in the morning (7:00-8.30 am) and evening (4:30-6:00pm), 2 days/week starting from the 2nd week after kidding for 7 weeks. Suckling bout, duration of suckling and number of butts during suckling was greater in twin than in singleton. Kid sex had no significant effect on all behavioural parameters monitored. However, significant positive correlations were observed between suckling bout and number of butts during suckling, between suckling bouts and duration of suckling and between duration of suckling and number of butts during suckling. In conclusion, suckling behaviours in WAD kids were dependent on the birth type and not sex of the kids.

Birth order, suckling behaviour and growth in piglets: a case study of the extreme delay in birth of two surviving piglets

In pigs, higher birth order is associated with higher mortality rate, with abnormal delays in birth as a rule result in a prenatal death. Here we present a case study of an extreme delay in birth of two surviving piglets (delayed piglets) which were born 15 h after the beginning of parturition and 12 h after the last piglet of the main episode of the parturition (n=12) was born. The rest of the observed litter was divided into early born (n=6, born within 80 min) and late born piglets (n=6, born within the next 80 min from the beginning of parturition). Suckling behaviour, survival and growth performance of piglets were studied in relation to birth order whereby special attention was given to the delayed piglets. In general, suckling stability tended to decrease with birth order with the delayed piglets having completely unstable suckling. In the first suckling, piglets predominantly chose posterior teats, but later, when suckling order was established, early born piglets preferentially sucked on the front half and the late born piglets on the back half of the udder. The delayed piglets suckled on the middle teats immediately after birth, but later they chose preferential teats on different parts of udder (2nd and 6th teat pair). Growth performance of delayed piglets was lower, although not significantly (probably due to small sample size), compared to the late and especially to the early born group. Despite an extraordinarily long delay in birth, there was no clear association with the suckling order and its stability, the birth/body weight and daily gain. However, survival of piglets after that long delay in birth itself represents an extraordinary phenomenon that we cannot explain.

A New Milking Technology: “Stimulactor” For Lactating Camels

The aim of this study was to develop a new milking machine for camels that guarantees high milk yield and quality whilst maintaining udder health. After a great effort, the new milking machine “StimuLactor for Camels” has been developed by Siliconform Germany. All the requirements of camels were tested on 5 dromedary camels over a period of one year. Our development was based on two main aspects: first, on the technical basis of the milking machine (type of machine, with or without a claw piece, kind of pulsation, vacuum level, type of teat cup liner and pulsation rate and ratio) which have to be adapted to the requirements of a camel’s udder and teats. The second important aspect was the calf’s suckling behaviour. The first results with the new milking technology have clearly shown that the system milks as the calf sucks. It can be used without the presence of the calf during the course of milk removal. Furthermore, the results proved that milk ejection reflex was induced and the milk was let down during the milking process. In conclusion, the new milking technology “StimuLactor for Camels” was adapted to the physiological, morphological and anatomical requirements of lactating camels.

Evaluation of Behavioral Aspects after Intradermal and Intramuscular Vaccine Application in Suckling Piglets

The aim of this study was to analyse the behavioral aspects of suckling piglets after an intradermal vaccination method in comparison to an intramuscular vaccination applied on the seventh day of life. Possible effects on piglet welfare should be evaluated. Under field conditions, 135 suckling piglets from 12 litters were vaccinated against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae—64 of those intradermally and 71 intramuscularly, from six litters each. For behavioral analyses, videos were recorded per pen, starting three days before the vaccination and ending three days after the vaccination. In the video analyses, the observation periods 6.00–10.00, 13.00–17.00, and 19.00–21.00 were analysed via scan sampling for the behaviors lying, standing, walking, suckling, and social contact. In the behavioral observations, in all piglets, the most frequent behavior was lying, followed by suckling at the sow’s teats. After vaccination, less lying behavior and more suckling behavior were assessed in intradermally vaccinated piglets compared to intramuscularly vaccinated piglets, which indicates that the piglets were not impaired by stress following vaccination. The results of this study showed that intradermal needle-free vaccination has clear advantages, as it caused fewer vaccination-associated behavior changes in suckling piglets than the intramuscular vaccination method with a needle.

Negative correlation of suckling behaviour and foal weight gain during the first week after birth

After their birth, foals are usually housed with and nursed by their mares. Because a foal’s growth and survival depend greatly on the mare’s milk for a certain time after birth, it is said that observations of suckling behaviour can indicate a foal’s growth. Nevertheless, the results of earlier studies suggest that foal suckling behaviour is not a useful predictor of milk intake. This study investigated the relationship between suckling behaviour and foal weight gain, referring to several definitions of suckling bouts and sufficient sampling methods, and including several confounding factors in the analyses. Observations were made of 17 mare–foal pairs from days 1–7 and days 14, 21, and 28 after birth from 18:00 to 06:00 h. The suckling behaviour was recorded using a continuous recording method and suckling bouts, successful suckling bouts, and unsuccessful suckling bouts were calculated from the recordings of suckling behaviour. The terminator of the behaviours was also recorded. Behavioural data of the ‘first week’ (data from days 1–6 were averaged) and the ‘next three weeks’ (data of days 7, 14, 21, and 28 were averaged), foal weights, mare parity, and foal sex were used for statistical analysis using generalised linear mixed models with Gaussian error distribution. For the ‘first week’, negative relationships were found between suckling, suckling bouts, successful suckling bouts, several foal terminating behaviours, and foal weight gain, but no relation was found between all behaviours and foal weight gain for the ‘next three weeks’. The number of mare parity was found to have a positive relationship with the foal weight gain of the ‘first week’ and negative relationships were found between suckling, suckling bouts, successful suckling bouts, and the number of mare parity in the ‘first week’. The results of this study suggest that suckling behaviours in the first week after birth are negatively correlated with foal weight gain and that mare parity affected the results. It is also suggested that in horse reproduction systems, suckling behaviour terminated by the foal can be a negative indicator of foal growth, especially in the first week after birth.

Effect of a single subcutaneous injection of meloxicam on chronic indicators of pain and inflammatory responses in 2-month-old knife and band-castrated beef calves housed on pasture

One hundred and thirty-one 2 mo. old pasture housed Angus cross bull calves were evaluated for 62 d over two years (Year 1: n = 69, 134.1 ± 20.37 kg BW; Year 2: n = 62, 118.1 ± 15.49 kg BW) to determine 1) the effects of a subcutaneous (s.c) injection of meloxicam on indicators of long term pain after castration and 2) the potential use of cow-calf proximity and home range as indicators of pain. Calves were randomly assigned to treatments using a 3 × 2 factorial design including castration - sham (CT; n = 47), band (BA; n = 46) or knife (KN; n = 38) castration and medication – s.c. meloxicam (M; n = 66) or s.c. lactated ringers solution (NM; n = 65). Measurements included performance, scrotal temperature, swelling (WS) and healing (WH) scores, and pain sensitivity, collected on d -1, 6, 13, 20, 34, 48, and 62 post-castration. Suckling, lying, standing and walking duration, and head-turning, lesion-licking, foot-stamping and tail-flick frequencies were collected immediately following and up to 2-d after castration. Cow-calf proximity and home range were obtained from d 0 to 2 and from d 14 to 16. With the exception of suckling, no medication (P > 0.05) effects were found. Greater (P < 0.05) pain sensitivity was observed in KN from d 6 to 34 and on d 62, and in BA from d 6 to 62 compared to CT calves. Knife calves showed an earlier (d 20) absence of inflammatory responses (WS; P < 0.05) than BA (d 34) and overall, KN calves had greater (P < 0.05) standing, walking, and head turning than BA and CT. Knife and BA had greater (P < 0.05) foot stamping than CT for the first 2 h post-castration, but KN exhibited greater (P < 0.05) frequencies between 9 and 11 h (d 0) compared to BA and CT, and had greater (P < 0.05) tail flicks from d 0 to 2 than CT. Banded calves were closer to their dams on d 15 while KN calves and their dams had a reduced home range on d 0 than CT cow-calf pairs. Although meloxicam did not reduce indicators of pain (with exception of suckling behavior), our results suggest that knife castration causes greater acute pain, while band castration resulted in greater chronic-pain. Cow-calf proximity and home range have some potential to be used as pain indicators post-castration.

Behavioural perspectives on piglet survival

Litters of domestic piglets show strong sibling competition, large differences among litter-mates in birth weight and rate of growth, and, in the absence of human intervention, a high mortality rate. This combination of traits suggests that pigs are using a reproductive strategy similar to that of certain bird species which produce one or more small 'spare' young whose death or survival is determined by sibling competition. Death through competition is natural in such species. Prevention of death requires the early identification and separate rearing of unsuccessful competitors. The major behavioural pathways leading to piglet deaths are considered to be malnutrition through unsuccessful suckling behaviour, and crushing of piglets by the sow. Crushing involves two distinct behavioural sequences: posterior crushing (beneath the sow's hind quarters) and ventral crushing (beneath the udder and rib cage). Farrowing crates are designed to prevent posterior but not ventral crushing. Malnourished piglets appear to be more vulnerable to crushing, perhaps because persistent suckling attempts cause them to spend more time near the sow. Prevention of crushing thus requires a reduction in malnutrition, not merely restriction of the sow's movements. Under certain conditions, dehydration may be an important but neglected aspect of malnutrition. Some litters of piglets have much higher death losses than others, presumably because of risk factors that apply to the litter as a whole. Early malnutrition, resulting from hypogalactia in the sow in the first days after farrowing, appears to be an important risk factor. Farrowing difficulties leading to piglet hypoxia during the birth process may be another. Risk factors that affect whole litters deserve greater emphasis in future research.

Higher early life mortality with lower infant body mass in a free-ranging primate.

Traits that reflect the amount of energy allocated to offspring by mothers, such as infant body mass, are predicted to have long-lasting effects on offspring fitness. In very long-lived species, such as anthropoid primates, where long-lasting and obligate parental care is required for successful recruitment of offspring, there are few studies on the fitness implications of low body mass among infants. Using body mass data collected from 253 free-ranging rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta infants on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico, we examined if lower infant body mass predicts lower chance of survival through to reproductive maturation (4th year of life). We also used data on inter-birth intervals and suckling behaviours to determine whether the duration of maternal care was adjusted to infant body mass. Rhesus macaque infants experienced on average 5% reduced hazard of death for an increase in body mass of 0.1 SD (~100g) above the mean within their age-sex class. The positive association between body mass and early life survival was most pronounced in the 1st year of life. Infant body mass tended to be lower if mothers were young or old, but the link between infant body mass and early life survival remained after controlling for maternal age. This finding suggests that maternal effects on early life survival such as maternal age may act through their influence on infant body mass. Mothers of heavier infants were less likely to be delayed in subsequent reproduction, but the estimated association slightly overlapped with zero. The timing of the last week of suckling did not differ by infant body mass. Using infant body mass data that has been rarely available from free-ranging primates, our study provides comparative evidence to strengthen the existing body of literature on the fitness implications of variation in infant body mass.