364052

Effect of Tied and Free Housing Systems on Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Egyptian Buffalo Heifers

Article

Last updated: 04 Jan 2025

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Abstract

This study was conducted at Research Unit for Animal Behaviour, Menoufia University, Egypt to evaluate the effect of tied or free system on eating and rumination behaviours, stress signs, fecal characteristics, and blood parameters, which could be reflect animal's welfare. Eight Egyptian buffalo heifers were kept in tie-stall barn for four weeks then released from restraints for another four weeks after that tied them for another four weeks up to the end of experiment. Results indicated that, eating time (306.13 min/day) and rumination time (317.93 min/day) were longer in tied heifers than in free animals (178.66 and 306.40 min/day, respectively).  The tied animals were acting more stressful than those free; where stepping, kicking and tail movements were more frequently in tied (27.73, 0.80and 115.93 time/day) than in free (16.13, 0.00 and 60.00 time/day respectively). Heifers did not show any aggression (av. Test score 1, 2) in both systems. The position of the ear was backward and down during eating, ruminating, and sleeping, being more obvious in tied animals than in free animals. Total leukocyte count was higher (P<0.05) in free animals (15.26 ×103/uL) than in tied stalls (11.41 ×103/uL). The percentage of undigested components of fecal yield was higher (P<0.05) in free than in tied animals. It could be concluded that the free heifers were more comfortable and in better emotional status. The level of free animals' immunity and their readiness to adapt and face dangers were higher. The tied animals might have a better digestion status.

DOI

10.21608/jappmu.2024.280022.1115

Keywords

behaviour, buffalo heifers, Welfare, fecal characteristics

Authors

First Name

elsayed

Last Name

eldahshan

MiddleName

eldahshan

Affiliation

animal production department, faculty of agriculture, shebin-elkhom, elminoufiya university

Email

elsayed.soliman@agr.menofia.edu.eg

City

shebin-elkhom

Orcid

0009-0009-1519-0058

First Name

S.

Last Name

Elkaschab

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Menufia University.

Email

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City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

Elham

Last Name

Ghoneim

MiddleName

M.

Affiliation

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Menufia University.

Email

elhamghoneim1963@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

First Name

M.

Last Name

Elshahawy

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Menufia University.

Email

-

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

15

Article Issue

7

Related Issue

48921

Issue Date

2024-07-01

Receive Date

2024-07-06

Publish Date

2024-07-01

Page Start

119

Page End

125

Print ISSN

2090-3642

Online ISSN

2090-3723

Link

https://jappmu.journals.ekb.eg/article_364052.html

Detail API

https://jappmu.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=364052

Order

1

Type

Original Article

Type Code

876

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Animal and Poultry Production

Publication Link

https://jappmu.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Effect of Tied and Free Housing Systems on Behavioural Activities and Welfare of Egyptian Buffalo Heifers

Details

Type

Article

Created At

24 Dec 2024