Weather regulated cattle behaviour on rangeland
Cattle behaviour depends both on internal factors (breed, age, oestrus, hierarchy, body homeostasis) and external factors (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, paddock size, grass quality and quantity). In our study we present how weather conditions modify behaviour and daily walked distance....
Elmentve itt :
| Szerzők: | |
|---|---|
| Dokumentumtípus: | Cikk |
| Megjelent: |
2016
|
| Sorozat: | APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
14 No. 4 |
| doi: | 10.15666/aeer/1404_149158 |
| mtmt: | 3099732 |
| Online Access: | http://publicatio.bibl.u-szeged.hu/18347 |
| Tartalmi kivonat: | Cattle behaviour depends both on internal factors (breed, age, oestrus, hierarchy, body homeostasis) and external factors (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, paddock size, grass quality and quantity). In our study we present how weather conditions modify behaviour and daily walked distance. Direct observations of Hungarian grey cows and calves were carried out in Eastern Hungary on a rangeland called Hortobagy. Meteorological, spatial and behavioural data were collected using weather stations, GPS collars and ethogram recordings. Data showed a positive correlation between daily walked distance and atmospheric pressure (r=0.389, P<0.05). Animals consistently used the same daily routes and resting sites. Moreover, frequency of metabolic behaviour (grazing, rumination, drinking, defecation, and urination) depended significantly on type of weather fronts experienced on the day following the examined day (r=0.445, P<0.05). These weather fronts were classified according to the system developed by Peczely. In summary, our study suggests that Hungarian grey cattle show specific behavioural patterns during low-pressure conditions. Therefore, understanding their behavioural responses to different environmental factors may help to improve the handling techniques of extensively farmed beef cattle. As behavioural adaptation is usually driven by the neuroendocrine system, we suggest that this type of regulation could also depend on environmental changes, therefore, this relationship needs further research. Keywords: atmospheric pressure; front; GPS; serotonin; zoometeorology |
|---|---|
| Terjedelem/Fizikai jellemzők: | 149-158 |
| ISSN: | 1589-1623 |