Relationship between Temperament and Nursing Behaviors on Body Weight Gain at 72 Hours Postpartum of Kamphaengsaen Beef Cattle
Keywords:
Beef cattle, Temperament, Calm and ill-tempered, Nursing behaviorsAbstract
Temperament is a physiological component that influences behavioral expression and productivity related to nursing behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between temperament and nursing behaviors on body weight gain at 72 hours postpartum in Kamphaengsaen beef cattle. A total of 20 Kamphaengsaen beef cows were used in the study. Temperament was assessed using the chute test and exit velocity test, and the results were used to classify the cattle according to their temperament characteristics as calm and ill-tempered. Eight calm cows and twelve ill-tempered cows were identified. After grouping, the cows were entered into the estrus synchronization program and mated using artificial insemination to study the relationship between nursing behavior and calf weight gain at 72 hours postpartum. The results showed that ill-tempered cattle had earlier calving-to-calf contact and calving-to-calf licking after parturition compared to calm cows. They also had a significantly higher rate of approaching their calves than calm cows (p < 0.01). Analysis of the relationship between maternal behavior and calf behavior at 72 hours postpartum revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the study found that calves raised by calm cows had greater weight gain at 72 hours postpartum than calves raised by ill-tempered cows.
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