The influence of feeding and handling on the development of the human–animal interactions in young cattle

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science 1999-02, Vol.62 (2), p.137-151
• Main Authors: Jago, J.G, Krohn, C.C, Matthews, L.R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ALIMENTACION; ALIMENTATION; ANIMALES JOVENES; BEHAVIOUR; BOVIN; CATTLE; Cattle-handling; COMPORTAMIENTO; COMPORTEMENT; FEEDING; GANADO BOVINO; GENERO HUMANO; GENRE HUMAIN; Human–animal relationships; JEUNE ANIMAL; MANKIND; YOUNG ANIMALS
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00219-6

The effect of feeding and handling on the response of young cattle to humans was investigated using 40 Danish Friesian calves removed from their dam immediately after birth. From day 3 to 17 of age calves were either: fed by humans and handled (stroking); fed by humans but not handled; fed without visual contact with humans and handled; or fed without visual contact with humans and not handled (control). Observations during the handling and/or feeding treatments revealed that calves fed with a human present performed more bunting behaviour but performed less play behaviour than those handled but not fed. The approach behaviour of each calf to an unknown person was assessed at days 3, 17, 32, and 62 in both their home pen and in an arena. In the home pen, handling had no effect on latency to interact with the person, but at days 17, 32, and 62 calves fed by humans were quicker to interact with a person than those fed without a human present. When tested in the arena, no consistent significant treatment effects were found at any age in latencies to approach or interact with the person. In a third test, the approach behaviour towards a person when social companions were present was assessed. With the human present only, time spent within 1 m of the person did not differ with age or treatment (17 to 62 days). But when two other calves were present, latency to approach the person increased ( p