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- Title
Ethological parameters as markers of sheep welfare.
- Authors
Varlyakov, I.; Slavov, T.
- Abstract
In a series of 3 experiments the purpose of the study was to evaluate the consistency of results from sheep behaviour investigation for their welfare. Experimental animals were subjected to adverse influences of different extent, magnitude and duration -- confinement (8 sheep), surgery (5 sheep), change in the feeding regimen (5 sheep). The following parameters were estimated: physiological -- body temperature, heart rate and rumen contractions; ethological -- all elements of feeding and rest; haematological and blood biochemical: blood glucose, total and HDL cholesterol, total protein, albumin and globulins, total white and red blood counts. The data were statistically processed; blood and behavioural parameters were compared to evaluate their relevance for such type of investigations. It was found out that the combined use of two methods of analysis -- analysis of functional activity indices and vector analysis of blood parameters (Pearson correlation coefficient) were particularly beneficial. The "most sensitive" ethological parameters, which changed most rapidly and strongly and could be used to assess the comfort of animals or identify the attainment of desired state after the influence of stressors, were determined. In the first place, this is rumination in standing position regardless of the stressor type -- immobilisation, surgery or restricted feeding. A relative share of >40% from the total rumination time was a trustworthy sign of discomfort. A second reliable sign of discomfort is the increased time spent standing. The albumin to globulin ratio was the first and most markedly affected blood parameter. The study confirmed the working hypothesis that ethological parameters were sufficiently good as welfare indicators and could substitute blood parameters. The performed experiments allowed concluding that the surgical intervention was a stronger stress factor than immobilisation, whereas the change in the ration was a stressor only during the initial 48 hours.
- Subjects
SHEEP behavior; ANIMAL welfare; SHEEP feeding; HEART beat; BLOOD sugar; HIGH density lipoproteins; EFFECT of stress on livestock
- Publication
Agricultural Science & Technology (1313-8820), 2012, Vol 4, Issue 3, p234
- ISSN
1313-8820
- Publication type
Article