Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T05:29:05.688Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Indoor space allowance: effects on growth, behaviour, adrenal and immune responses of finishing beef heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. D. Fisher ,
M. A. Crowe ,
D. J. Prendiville  and
W. J. Enright
A. D. Fisher
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Grange Research Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
M. A. Crowe
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland
D. J. Prendiville
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Grange Research Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
W. J. Enright
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Grange Research Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
Get access

Abstract

The objective was to determine the daily live-weight gain, behaviour, adrenal and immune responses of finishing beef heifers housed at two different space allowances. Heifers (no. = 32) with a mean live weight of466 (s.e. 3·6) kg were assigned to either 1·5 or 3·0 m2 average individual space allowance in four slatted-floor pens (two per treatment) for a period of 104 days. On days 5, 40, 68 and 96, heifers (no. = eight per treatment, four per pen) were challenged with 1·98 i.u. ACTH per kg M0·75, and serial blood samples were analysed for plasma cortisol concentrations. The other 16 heifers were immunized against keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) on day 28, and blood samples collected on days 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 98 were analysed for anti-KLH immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations. All heifers were blood sampled on days 0, 14, 56 and 98, and red and white blood cell numbers, packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea were determined. Behavioural observations were conducted on days 8, 43, 71 and 99 by scan sampling for 24 h (10-min intervals), and continuous 4-h observations were conducted on days 100 and 101.

Heifers at 1·5 m2 space allowance had a lower daily live-weight gain compared with those at 3·0 m2 (0·60 v. 0·87 (s.e. 0·04) kg; P < 0·001). Heifers at 1·5 m2 had lower pre-ACTH baseline cortisol concentrations (P < 0·05) and lower post-ACTH peak cortisol concentrations (P < 0·05). There were no effects of treatment on serum anti-KLH IgG1 or IgG2 responses (P > 0·05). Heifers at 1·5 m2 had lower plasma NEFA concentrations (P < 0·05). Red and white blood cell numbers, PCV, CK and urea were not affected by treatment (P > 0·05). The time spent lying down was lower for heifers at 1·5 m2 (10·0 v. 21·1 h/day; P < 0·05). Social interactions were fewer (P < 0·05), and incidence of head-resting behaviour was higher (P < 0·05) among heifers at 1·5 m2 compared with 3·0 m2 space allowance. In conclusion, the restricted space allowance resulted in a substantial decrease in daily live-weight gain, and changes in adrenal response and behaviour.

Keywords

beef cattlebehaviourhousingimmune responsespace allowance
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 64 , Issue 1 , February 1997 , pp. 53 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agnes, F., Sartorelli, P., Abdi, B. H. and Locatelli, A. 1990. Effect of transport loading or noise on blood biochemical variables in calves. American Journal of Veterinary Research 51: 1679–1681.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Andreae, U., Unshelm, J. and Smidt, D. 1980. [Behaviour and physiological adaption reactions of growing bulls at various housing densities on slatted floor loose boxes.] Der Tierzuchter 32: 467–468, 473.Google Scholar
Beneke, B., Ladewig, J., Andreae, U. and Smidt, D. 1984. [Physiological and ethological characteristics of stress situations for cattle.] KTBL-Schrift 299: 32–45.Google Scholar
Blecha, F., Boyles, S. L. and Riley, J. G. 1984. Shipping suppresses lymphocyte blastogenic responses in Angus and Brahman × Angus feeder calves. Journal of Animal Science 59: 576–583.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blecha, F. and Kelley, K. W. 1981. Effects of cold and weaning stressors on the antibody-mediated immune response of pigs. Journal of Animal Science 53: 439–447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Broom, D. M. 1988. The scientific assessment of animal welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 20: 5–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chase, C. C., Larsen, R. E., Randel, R. D., Hammond, A. C. and Adams, E. L. 1995. Plasma cortisol and white blood cell responses in different breeds of bulls: a comparison of two methods of castration. Journal of Animal Science 73: 975–980.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dickson, W. M. 1977. Endocrine glands. In Dukes' physiology of domestic animals (ed. Swenson, M. J.), pp. 731–771. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York.Google Scholar
Duncan, J. R. and Prasse, K. W. 1986. Veterinary laboratory medicine. Second ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.Google Scholar
Friend, T. H., Gwazdauskas, F. C. and Polan, C. E. 1979. Change in adrenal response from free stall competition. Journal of Dairy Science 62: 768–771.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Friend, T. H., Polan, C. E., Gwazdauskas, F. C. and Heald, C. W. 1977. Adrenal glucocorticoid response to exogenous adrenocorticotropin mediated by density and social disruption in lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 60: 1958–1963.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hudson, L. and Hay, F. C. 1980. Practical immunology. Second ed. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford.Google Scholar
Ingvartsen, K. L. and Andersen, H. R. 1993. Space allowance and type of housing for growing cattle. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A 43: 65–80.Google Scholar
Kelley, K. W., Osborne, C. A., Evermann, J. F., Parish, S. M. and Gaskins, C. T. 1982. Effects of chronic heat and cold stressors on plasma immunoglobulin and mitogen-induced blastogenesis in calves. Journal of Dairy Science 65: 1514–1528.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kenny, F. J. and Tarrant, P. V. 1987a. The physiological and behavioural responses of crossbred Friesian steers to short-haul transport by road. Livestock Production Science 17: 63–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenny, F. J. and Tarrant, P. V. 1987b. The behaviour of young Friesian bulls during social re-grouping at an abattoir. Influence of an overhead electrified wire grid. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 18: 233–246.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenny, F. J. and Tarrant, P. V. 1988. The effect of oestrous behaviour on muscle glycogen concentration and dark-cutting in beef heifers. Meat Science 22: 21–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kent, J. E. and Ewbank, R. 1983. The effect of road transportation on the blood constituents and behaviour of calves. I. Six months old. British Veterinary Journal 139: 228–235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kirchner, M. 1986. [Behavioural studies to determine the area requirement of store bulls in slatted floor boxes.] KTBL — Schrift 311:107–115.Google Scholar
Ladewig, J., Schlichting, M. C., Beneke, B., von Borell, E., Stuhec, I. and Smidt, D. 1985. Physiological aspects of social space in heifers and pigs. In Social space for domestic animals (ed. Zayan, R.), pp. 151–159. Martinus Nijhoff, The Netherlands.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ladewig, J. and Smidt, D. 1989. Behavior, episodic secretion of cortisol and adrenocortical reactivity in bulls subjected to tethering. Hormones and Behavior 23:344–360.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawes Agricultural Trust. 1990. Genstat 5, release 2.2. Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.Google Scholar
Madsen, E. B., Thysen, I., Ingvartsen, K. L. and Ostergaard, V. 1987. Health and production of young bulls at different stocking rates on slatted floors. Report no. 628 from the National Institute of Animal Science Denmark, pp. 209–218.Google Scholar
Martin, P. and Bateson, P. 1986. Measuring behaviour. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Maton, A. and Daelemans, J. 1989. Modern housing of cattle and their welfare. Agricultural engineering, vol. 2. Proceedings of the eleventh international congress on agricultural engineering, Dublin, 1989, pp. 921–925.Google Scholar
Morley, J. E. and Levine, A. S. 1982. Corticotropin releasing factor, grooming and ingestive behavior. Life Sciences 31: 1459–1464.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morrison, S. R. and Prokop, M. 1982. Beef cattle performance on slotted floors: effect of animal weight on space allotment. Livestock environment II. Proceedings of the second international livestock environment symposium. Publication 03 - 82. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, pp. 92–100.Google Scholar
Muller, C., Ladewig, J., Schlichting, M. C., Thielscher, H. H. and Smidt, D. 1986. [Behavioural and ethological criteria for assessing possible stress factors arising from flooring and density of heifers in group housing.] KTBL Schrift 311: 37–47.Google Scholar
Murata, H. 1989. Suppression of lymphocyte blastogenesis by sera from calves transported by road. British Veterinary Journal 145:257–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pollock, J. M., Rowan, T. G., Dixon, J. B., Carter, S. D. and Fallon, R. 1992. Effects of weaning on antibody responses in young calves. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 33:25–36.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ruckebusch, Y. and Malbert, C. H. 1986. Stimulation and inhibition of food intake in sheep by centrally-administered hypothalamic releasing factors. Life Sciences 38: 929–934.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sakellaris, P. C. and Vernikos-Danellis, J. 1975. Increased rate of response of the pituitary-adrenal system in rats adapted to chronic stress. Endocrinology 97: 597–602.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Scott, G. B. and Kelly, M. 1989. Cattle cleanliness in different housing systems. Farm Building Progress 95:21–24.Google Scholar
Smith, R. E., Hanke, H. E., Lindor, L. K., Goodrich, R. D., Meiske, J. C., Thonney, M., Crawford, D., Hasbargen, P. R., Bates, D. W. and Ryan, D. M. 1981. A comparison of five housing systems for feedlot cattle. Paper no. 81–4057. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. St. Joseph, MI, USA.Google Scholar
Snedecor, G. W. and Cochran, W. G. 1989. Statistical methods. Eighth ed. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa.Google Scholar
Wierenga, H. K. 1983. The influence of the space for walking and lying in a cubicle system on the behaviour of dairy cattle. In Farm animal housing and welfare (ed. Baxter, S. H., Baxter, M. R. and MacCormack, J. A. C.), pp. 171–180. Martinus Nijhoff, The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Wierenga, H. K. 1987. Behavioural problems in fattening bulls. In Welfare aspects of housing systems for veal calves and fattening bulls (ed. Schlichting, M. C. and Smidt, D.), pp. 105–122. CEC, Luxembourg.Google Scholar