Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Owens, J.L.
• Edey, T.N.
• Bindon, B.M.
• Piper, L.R.

Titel

Parturient behaviour and calf survival in a herd selected for twinning

Ist Teil von

• Applied animal behaviour science, 1985-01, Vol.13 (4), p.321-333

Ort / Verlag

Elsevier B.V

Erscheinungsjahr

1985

Quelle

ScienceDirect

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Observations and description of behaviour at parturition were recorded for 47 single- and 2 twin-bearing cows from a mixed-age herd of beef and dairy genotypes being selected for twinning. Information on birthweight, gestation length and survival to weaning of calves from 327 single- and 16 twin-bearing cows was recorded over a 3-year period. The animals were pasture-fed. Calvings were equally distributed throughout the day and night hours, although significantly more cows calved from 11.00 to 13.00 h than during any other period of daylight hours, which were 06.00 to 18.00 h. Three cases of mis-mothering were observed during the 3 years of observation. These were the result of calf-stealing by pre-parturient cows with a strong maternal drive. In single-bearing animals, heifers had a longer labour than adults and male calves were presented longer at the vulva than females. Twin calves required three times as long as single-born calves to begin sucking. There was a significant linear regression of calf survival on birthweight ( β = +1.0 ± 0.3%, P < 0.01), but there was no significant effect of the cows' pre- and post-partum behaviour traits on calf survival. Heifers gave birth to lighter calves than adults and single-born calves were heavier (32 kg) than twins (25 kg). After adjustment for differences in birthweight, calf survival was not significantly affected by litter size, age of dam, sire or year of observation. Twin-bearing cows had significantly shorter gestation lengths (276.8 ± 1.4 days) than those with single calves (283.0 ± 0.4 days), and there was a significant linear regression of gestation length on birthweight ( β = +0.44 ± 0.08 kg, P < 0.001). There is a need for further investigation of the factors affecting calf survival and dam—Neonate bonding and recognition in both single- and multiple-bearing cows. A method of identifying multiple pregnancy in cows would assist further behaviour studies.