Survey of the stocking densities at which sheep are transported commercially in the United Kingdom

A total of 6578 sheep carried in 74 vehicles to one slaughter plant were monitored, and stocking densities, in terms of m2 floor area available per 100 kg liveweight, were estimated from the dimensions of the vehicle pens and estimates of liveweight based on chest girth measurements. The observed stocking densities ranged from 0.29 to 2.00 m2/100 kg liveweight, and the average density was 0.65 m2/100 kg. One per cent of the sheep were carried at estimated stocking densities of less than 0.3 m2/100 kg, 37 per cent at densities between 0.3 and 0.6 m2/100 kg and 57 per cent at densities between 0.6 and 0.9 m2/100 kg. Over 30 per cent of the animals in the survey were transported at densities higher than the working recommendations made by the Farm Animal Welfare Council.     

链烷技术估测典型草原不同放牧率绵羊食性食量方法研究

为了进一步探讨饱和链烷技术在典型草原自由放牧家畜中的应用,定量研究自由放牧绵羊食性及食量,于2004年6-9月在中国科学院内蒙古草原生态系统定位研究站放牧样地进行试验,选择体重及体况相近、健康无病的二岁羯羊(内蒙古细毛羊×蒙古羊)60只,按体重(36.9±2.6) kg聚类分组,设置6种放牧率(0,1.33,2.67,4.00,5.33和6.67羊/hm²)的轮牧实验,绵羊采食量的测定选择放牧率为1.33,4.00和6.67羊/hm²的处理,试验开始,每只羊投喂1粒QSM饱和链烷缓释胶囊。食性测定选用全部的放牧率进行,同时辅助全粪法、扣笼法一同评价。试验期内定期收集试验地牧草样品及绵羊粪便样品,使用气相色谱分析牧草和粪样中的链烷含量,应用链烷技术估测放牧绵羊的排粪量、牧草采食比例和干物质采食量。结果表明,植物链烷模式存在种间差异,运用链烷技术估测的排粪量和实际测得排粪量差异不显著(P>0.05),放牧绵羊主要采食7~9种牧草,且不同放牧季节不同放牧率绵羊采食的牧草种类和比例不同,但采食量差异不显著(P>0.05)。本研究表明,运用链烷技术结合扣笼方法可以估测天然草地自由放牧家畜牧草的采食比例、干物质采食量和排粪量。     

环境富集和饲养密度对绵羊福利的影响

试验主要研究环境富集和饲养密度对绵羊生产性能、血清指标、屠宰性能的影响。选用健康的小尾寒羊24只,分为A、B、C 3组,每组8只,A 组为高集约化模式,B组为高集约化模式+运动场模式,C组为环境富集模式。结果表明,各组绵羊的末重、平均日增重、平均日采食量、饲料转化率差异不显著,环境富集和适宜的饲养密度有提高绵羊生产性能的趋势。环境富集和适宜的饲养密度可以极显著改善前膝清洁度指数（P<0.01）,显著改善后膝、后臀的清洁度指数（P<0.05）;环境富集和适宜的饲养密度能显著降低第37天血清皮质醇浓度（P<0.05）;各组肉品质差异不显著（P>0.05）;宰杀后各组pH45 min和pHult的差异不显著（P>0.05）。因此,环境富集和饲养密度能在一定程度上提高绵羊福利。     

Effects of double stocking and weighing frequency on pig performance in wean-to-finish production systems

Two studies were carried out in different wean-to-finish barns to determine the effects of double stocking on pig growth performance. In Study 1, pigs (n = 1,560) were used in a randomized complete block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: initial stocking treatment (Single [52 pigs/pen] vs Double [104 pigs/pen] stocked for 10 wk after weaning) and weighing frequency (High [12 times during the study] vs Low [3 times]) on pig performance from weaning (5.9+/-0.01 kg BW; 17 d of age) to harvest (114+/-0.67 kg BW). Floor and feeder space per pig were 0.650 m2 and 4 cm and 0.325 m2 and 2 cm for the single- and double-stocked treatments, respectively. In Study 2, pigs (n = 1,458) were used in a randomized complete block design to evaluate two initial stocking treatments (Single [27 pigs] vs Double [54 pigs] stocked for 10 wk after weaning) on pig performance from weaning (4.8+/-0.01 kg BW; 15 d of age) to harvest (24 wk after weaning). Floor and feeder space per pig were 0.640 m2 and 3.4 cm and 0.320 m2 and 1.7 cm for single- and double-stocked pens, respectively. In both studies, double-stocked pigs were split at the end of wk 10 into two equal-sized groups of similar mean BW and CV of BW, and one group was moved to a different pen in the same building. In Study 1, performance was not affected (P > 0.10) by frequency of weighing. For the first 10 wk after weaning, the Double compared to the Single treatment had lower ADG (7.7 and 7.9%, for Studies 1 and 2, respectively; P < 0.001) and lighter pigs at wk 10 (6.8 and 7.3%, respectively; P < 0.001). During the first 10 wk in Study 1, Double compared to the Single pigs had lower ADFI (7%; P < 0.001) but similar gain:feed (P > 0.10). From wk 11 to harvest, pigs on Double and Single treatments had similar (P > 0.10) ADG in both studies and, in Study 1, ADFI was unaffected by initial stocking treatment, but double-stocked pigs had greater gain:feed (4%, P < 0.01). Double-stocked pigs required an additional 2 d to reach a fixed harvest BW (P < 0.05) in Study 1 and were lighter (4%; P < 0.05) at 24 wk after weaning in Study 2. Carcass measures were similar (P > 0.10) for double- and single-stocked pigs. Double-stocked pigs that were moved at the end of 10 wk had growth performance similar (P > 0.10) to those that remained in the original pen. In summary, double stocking reduced growth rate to 10 wk after weaning but subsequently had no effect on growth rate and improved feed efficiency.     

饲养密度与饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡生长性能及肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲养密度与饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡生长性能及其肉品质的影响,并探明饲养密度是否影响肉仔鸡的能量需要量。选用 ２周龄体重相近的爱拔益加（ＡＡ）肉仔鸡１１４０只（公母各占 １／２）,采用 ３×４两因子完全随机试验设计,包括 ３个代谢能水平（１２．３３、１２．７５和 １３．１７ＭＪ／ｋｇ）和 ４个饲养密度（１０、１６、２２、２８只／栏）,随机分为 １２个处理,每个处理 ５个重复,设置 ６０个相同的围栏,分栏饲养,围栏有效面积为 １．５ｍ２。正试期 ２８ｄ。结果表明：１）饲养密度和饲粮能量水平影响肉仔鸡的生长性能,但两者之间不存在交互作用（Ｐ＞０．０５）;高密度饲养极显著限制肉仔鸡平均日采食量（Ｐ＜０．０１）,导致平均日增重极显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０１）,但不影响料重比（Ｐ＞０．０５）;高能饲粮极显著降低肉仔鸡料重比（Ｐ＜０．０１）,提高平均日增重和出栏体重（Ｐ＜０．０１）;２）饲养密度对肉仔鸡胴体品质和肉品质影响较小,但饲粮不同能量水平可造成脂肪酸在体内沉积的差异,胸肌中多不饱和脂肪酸、必需脂肪酸含量随饲粮能量水平提高而显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）;３）保持良好的饲养环境,饲养密度不会造成肉仔鸡明显的免疫应激差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）。综上所述,饲养密度和饲粮能量水平影响肉仔鸡生长性能,同时能量水平对肉品质造成较大影响。但在良好的饲养环境中,饲养密度并不影响肉仔鸡对能量的需要量,二者之间不存在交互作用。     

Vegetation Responses to Fixed Stocking Densities in Highly Variable Montane Pastures in the Chinese Altay

Variability in aboveground herbaceous biomass and its quality were studied in response to three different stocking densities during a 2-yr grazing experiment with sheep on a montane summer pasture in the Chinese Altay. We determined herbaceous cover and aboveground biomass in 16 paddocks of 0.25 ha each. Vegetation cover showed high spatial variation, prompting us to implement a randomized block design. Forage intake of one male sheep per paddock was quantified four times per grazing season by collection of total feces and estimation of diet digestibility. Sheep weight was recorded every 3 wk. Aboveground herbaceous dry mass (DM) was characterized by pronounced annual variation. Biomass quality declined with progressing season and increasing sheep density. Daily organic matter intake per sheep ranged from 0.7 to 1.4 kg, which was paralleled by a biomass removal of 710 ? 1 560 kg DM/ha at densities of 8 ? 24 sheep/ha. At 8 sheep/ha, animals gained weight throughout each grazing period, whereas weight losses of 40 ? 100 g/d occurred at higher densities. These results challenge the presently followed concept of a fixed stocking density for summer pastures in Altay Prefecture, Xinjian, China. Such practice may result in low herbage allowances and thus deficient sheep nutrition in one year, as well as underutilization of forage resources in another. Flexible adjustment of stocking densities is also advisable for montane pastures where spatiotemporal variability, although less pronounced than in desert steppes of the Altay foothills, is nonetheless highly relevant.     

Efficacy of ivermectin controlled-release capsules for the control and prevention of nasal bot infestations in sheep

Objective To investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against nasal bots (Oestrus ovis) in sheep.
Design Trial 1 – A pen study with controls. Trial 2 – A field study with controls.
Animals Trial 1 – Forty Merino wethers with natural infestations of nasal bot were used. Trial 2 – One hundred nasal bot-free wethers were used.
Procedure Trial 1 – Ten randomly selected animals were slaughtered and the heads split and examined to confirm bot infestation. Fifteen animals were allocated to untreated controls and 15 to treatment with a controlled-release capsule delivering ivermectin at ≥ 20 μg/kg/day for 100 days. Twenty-nine days after treatment the sheep were killed and examined for nasal bots. Trial 2 – Nasal bot-free sheep were allocated to two groups of 45 animals. One group was untreated the other sheep were treated with capsules as above. The sheep were grazed as a single group exposed to natural challenge from O ovis . Ninety days after treatment the animals were slaughtered and examined for nasal bot infestation.
Results Trial 1 – Live O ovis larvae were recovered from 60% of control sheep. No live larvae were collected from treated sheep. Trial 2 – Forty-one percent of untreated sheep harbored nasal bot infestations. No live larvae were collected from any treated animal.
Conclusion Treatment with a single ivermectin controlled-release capsule was 100% effective against existing infestations of O ovis and as a prophylactic treatment for this parasite.     

A study of tail tip necrosis in young fattening bulls on slatted floors

A questionnaire sent to 78 producers revealed that tail tip necrosis was seen only in units with fattening bulls housed on slatted floors. Out of 43 such units, 20 (46.5 per cent) reported that tail tip necrosis was a herd problem. All 43 herds were visited, owners were interviewed and housing and management data recorded. It is concluded that tail tip necrosis is a multifactorial disease. The initial lesion is caused by tramping, but the following factors are essential in the development and severity of the disease, i) slatted concrete floors, ii) close confinement, iii) hot season and iv) body weight above 200 kg. The stocking density (expressed as kg bodyweight per square meter pen) was significantly higher in problem herds (210 kg/m2) than in control herds (165 kg/m2). There was a close relationship between high environmental temperature and tail tip necroses. The majority of incidents occurred during the warm season (May through September), very few cases were seen during the colder months. The general morbidity and mortality rates were significantly higher in problem herds than in control herds. Microbiology of affected tails revealed mixed infections in most cases, with Corynebacterium pyogenes and Bacteroides melaninogenicus as the most frequently isolated organisms. Principles of treatment and prevention are discussed. There is evidence to assume that a 10-20 per cent reduction in stocking density could be an efficient prophylactic measure.     

西藏那曲地区“冬圈夏草”的适应性及其评价

在西藏那曲县研究了"冬圈夏草"的适应性,种植羊圈10个,每个羊圈约900 m2。采用单播8种饲草,混播6种组合。结果表明,各处理牧草生长旺盛,产草量高,生长期延长,可延迟至10月底进行收割,此时禾本科饲草料生育期为抽穗期,高度在1 m左右,平均鲜草产量高达28 500 kg/hm2以上。"冬圈夏草"种植简单,可有效缓解春季饲料缺乏的问题,值得推广。     

Behavior of feedlot cattle affects voluntary oral and physical interactions with manila ropes

Providing cattle with access to manila ropes has shown promise as a means of monitoring zoonotic bacteria in pens of feedlot cattle. Studies were conducted to determine the impacts of climate, animal age and BW, number of ropes, duration of placement, and previous rope access on efficacy of ropes as a sampling technique for feedlot cattle. Eight pens of commercial finishing cattle (average 196 +/- 19 animals per pen, 536.7 +/- 22.9 kg) were monitored for a total of 7 d in October of 2003 (commercial study). One rope was tied on the pen railing adjacent to the feed bunk in each pen, and the proportion of animals within the pen contacting the rope was recorded. In a second study, 80 cattle housed in 8 pens (each 270 m(2); 10 animals/pen) were monitored for 1 d/wk using video cameras (video study). Video images were collected for 8 consecutive weeks immediately after weaning (average BW = 252.7 +/- 30.6 kg) and for 6 wk at the end of the finishing period (average BW 541.2 +/- 42.8 kg). In the commercial study, the proportion of cattle contacting the rope per pen increased over the first 6 h to 70% (P < 0.05), although approximately 50% of the cattle contacted the rope within 2 h after placement. A 40 degrees C reduction in ambient temperature on d 6 caused cattle to cease contact with the ropes, although after 6 d of acclimation to reduced ambient temperature, interactions with ropes recovered to 47% of previous values. In the video study, weaned calves required 2 wk of acclimation to the feedlot environment before contact with the rope was maximized. Contact with the rope was most frequent 3 to 8 wk after entry into the feedlot and decreased (P < 0.05) as cattle approached slaughter weight. It is likely that ropes will be most effective at monitoring zoonotic bacteria in pens of cattle during the mid-feeding period where the pen environment is stable and cattle are inquisitive but not highly reactive.     

Effect of wean-to-finish management on pig performance

In each of three trials, 240 crossbred barrows weaned at 17 d of age (5.1 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental treatments based on light and heavy weight outcome groups. Experimental treatments were 1) wean-to-finish at 0.69 m2/pig and 15 pigs/pen; 2) wean-to-finish double-stocked at 0.35 m2/pig, 30 pigs per pen for 8 wk and then randomly split into two pens (either stayed in same pen or moved to new pen) for growth to slaughter at 0.69 m2/pig; and 3) nursery facility for 8 wk at 0.35 m2/pig and 15 pigs/pen followed by move to the same grow-finish facility housing wean-to-finish and double-stocked pigs and maintaining pen integrity. Beginning at 38 kg BW, diets were supplemented with either bacitracin methylenedisalicylate at 33 mg/kg to slaughter or tylosin at 44 mg/kg to 59 kg BW and 22 mg/kg thereafter. There were no trial x treatment interactions, even though there was considerable variation in health status among trials. At the end of the 56-d nursery period, wean-to-finish pigs weighed more than nursery (28.7 vs 27.7 kg; P = 0.071) and double-stocked pigs (28.7 vs 26.9 kg; P = 0.002), due to greater ADG (wean-to-finish vs nursery; P = 0.062; wean-to-finish vs double-stocked; P = 0.002) and greater ADFI (wean-to-finish vs nursery; P = 0.024; wean-to-finish vs double-stocked, P = 0.002). There was no effect of treatments (P > 0.1) on ADG, feed conversion, carcass lean percentage, or lean gain during the growing-finishing period. There was also no effect of treatment (P > 0.1) on ADG or ADFI from weaning to slaughter. There was no difference (P > 0.1) between bacitracin methylenedisalicylate and tylosin for ADG, feed conversion, carcass lean percentage, or daily lean gain. These data suggest that housing 5-kg weaned pigs in fully slatted growing-finishing facilities from weaning to slaughter was not detrimental to overall performance. In this experiment, dietary additions of bacitracin methylenedisalicylate or tylosin from 38 kg BW to slaughter weight resulted in similar growth performance.     

Biological control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in Malaysia using the nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans

Control of nematode parasites of small ruminants in a wet, tropical environment using the nematophagous fungus, Duddingtonia flagrans, was assessed in this study. Two methods of fungal delivery were tested, namely as a daily feed supplement, or incorporated into feed blocks. Initially, pen trials were conducted with individually penned groups of sheep and goats at dose rates of 125,000 spores and 250,000 spores/kg live weight per day. At the lower dose rate this reduction was between 80 and 90% compared with the pre-treatment levels. At the higher dose rate, there was virtually complete suppression (>99% reduction) of larval recovery. Trials using the fungal feed blocks, showed that when animals were individually penned, they consumed only small amounts of the block (particularly goats), hence little effect on larval recovery in faecal cultures was observed. Grouping animals according to species and dose rate induced satisfactory block consumption and subsequent high levels of larval reduction in faecal cultures. These larval reductions were mirrored by the presence of fungus in faecal cultures. This work was followed by a small paddock trial, whereby three groups of sheep were fed either a feed supplement without fungal spores, supplement with spores, or offered fungal blocks. The dose rate of spores in the latter two groups was 500,000 spores/kg live weight per day. Egg counts were significantly reduced in the two fungal groups, compared with the control group and the latter required two salvage anthelmintic treatments to prevent mortality due to haemonchosis. Pasture larval numbers on the two fungal group plots were also much lower than on the control plot.     

The effects of split marketing on the physiology, behavior, and performance of finishing swine

One hundred twenty 8-wk-old barrows (20.3 +/- 2.0 kg BW) were used to examine the effect of split marketing on selected behavioral, physiological and performance parameters. Pigs were assigned by weight in a randomized complete block design to one of three treatments: SM (split-marketed), six pigs/pen (1.83 m2/pig); C (control), six pigs/pen (1.83 m2/pig); or MC (modified control), three pigs/pen (3.66 m2/pig). The heaviest half of SM animals were removed 1 wk prior to marketing penmates. Control and MC animals remained in their respective groups until marketing. Animals were videotaped during the first 72 h of the study (INITIAL), 72 h prior to (PRE), and following the removal (POST) of pigs in the SM treatment to quantify maintenance behaviors and to identify socially dominant, intermediate, and submissive pigs. A blood sample was collected from each animal upon completion of INITIAL, PRE, and POST time periods to determine neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and plasma haptoglobin, cortisol, and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) levels. Animals were weighed and feed disappearance was calculated biweekly. Tenth-rib backfat and area of the longissimus muscle at marketing were ultrasonically evaluated on all animals. Regardless of treatment, animals were more (P < 0.01) active (eating, standing/walking, fighting) at INITIAL than at PRE or POST times. Frequency and duration of fights per pen were less (P < 0.01) in MC than in C or SM pigs for all periods observed. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio, plasma haptoglobin, and CBG levels were greater (P < 0.01) during the INITIAL period than during the PRE or POST periods but did not differ between treatments. No treatment or time differences were detected in plasma cortisol levels. The MC pigs exhibited greater (P < 0.01) ADFI with poorer feed efficiency compared to C or SM pigs up to split marketing. During the POST period, both MC and SM pigs had greater (P < 0.01) ADFI with poorer (P < 0.01) feed efficiency than C pigs. The ADG was not different among animals as a result of treatment. There were no treatment differences for any of the carcass measurements. Significant differences in performance between the treatment groups could not be attributed to any physiological or behavioral measures reported here.     

Integrating banana and ruminant production in the French West Indies

Using a mechanistic model, we compared five alternative farming systems with the purpose of transforming monoculture (MON) banana farms into mixed farming systems (MFS) with ruminants feeding banana by-products (leaves, pseudostems and nonmarketable fruits) and forage from the fallow land. The paper presents the main structure of the model (land surface changes, available biomass for animals, stocking rates, productive or reproductive indicators), and impact assessment (change in farm productivity) is discussed. Five MFS with typical local ruminant production systems were used to compare MON to the strategies using forage from fallow and/or integrating Creole cattle (CC), Creole goats (CG) or Martinik sheep (MS) into banana farming. One hectare MON shifted into an MFS allows a stocking rate of 1,184, 285, and 418 kg of live weight per hectare for CC, CG and MS, respectively. Banana by-products seem to be better valorized by the CC scenario. However, parameters such as length of the cycle, local prices for cattle, goat and sheep meat, work time and farmer's skills in ruminant management may have been taken into account by the farmer when choosing the ruminant species to rear.     

Evaluation of stocking density and subtherapeutic chlortetracycline on Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica shedding in growing swine

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of stocking density and inclusion of subtherapeutic chlortetracycline in the diet on Salmonella fecal prevalence and antimicrobial resistance in growing swine. A 2 x 2 factorial design was employed on a privately owned commercial swine farm. Four finisher rooms were included in the study. Two of the rooms received 50 g/tonnes of chlortetracycline in the ration, two rooms received no antimicrobials in the feed. In each room, alternate pens were assigned to either high stocking density (0.60 m2/pig) or low stocking density (0.74 m2/pig). Pigs were placed in the finisher rooms at 10 weeks of age and followed for 6 weeks. Individual fecal samples were collected from the floors of each pen and cultured once weekly. Antimicrobial resistance phenotypes were determined. Data were analyzed using multilevel, multivariable logistic regression. Pigs fed chlortetracycline were at increased odds (OR 6.88, 95% CI 2.77-17.12) to shed Salmonellae. No other associations between treatments (CTC and stocking density) and Salmonella prevalence or reduced susceptibility to antimicrobials were identified. Variance in the odds of a fecal sample to be positive was distributed mostly at the lowest level, the individual fecal sample. The increased risk of shedding associated with inclusion of subtherapeutic chlortetracycline in swine diets is discordant with previous results by our group, suggesting farm or strain specific factors may impact this association. Understanding this risk may provide a potential intervention for controlling Salmonella pre-harvest.     

Breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep

The aim of this study was to analyze the breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep. The flock consisted of 89 Suffolk adult ewes and 250 Columbia ewes and 45 Columbia rams. The animals were kept in the pasture during the day. Each hour the flock was allowed to feed for 20 minutes, and then was moved for 40 minutes to a small paddock near the grazing area. In the afternoon, all sheep were taken to the night pen. The animals were observed for 120 days, 4 times a day (480 leadership breed positions), with respect to the following conditions: (1) leave pen at front of flock, (2) return to pen at front of flock, (3) first to move to the grassland, (4) return to the paddock, (5) drink first (on arrival time at the night pen), and (6) preference for an area in the night barn. The Suffolk breed were first in leaving (94% of the times) and in returning to the night pen (65%) (P < 0.05), and 35% returned with the Columbia sheep. The Suffolk breed were first to move to the grazing area (90%) and 10% moved with the other breed (P < 0.05). When returning to the rest area, the Columbia sheep were first to reach 54% of the time, the 2 breeds were together 29% of the time, and the Suffolk sheep were alone 17% of the time (P < 0.05). When comparing who drank first, 50% of the time both breeds went together, 28% of the time the Columbia sheep were first, and 22% of the time the Suffolk sheep were first (P < 0.05). At night, most of the Suffolk sheep had a preference for 1 barn area (P < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that most animals of each breed performed activities together. Suffolk sheep were leaders when moving to the grazing area and when selecting the place to rest.     

Specification of pen rail spacing and trough heights to prevent escape and enable good access to feed by sheep during sea shipments from New Zealand

A trial was carried out to determine the optimal height of feeding troughs above floor level and the spacing between pen railings which would enable sheep to access feed troughs but prevent them from getting out of pens during sea voyages. The trial involved a group of 16 large (79 kg) wether sheep and 24 small (30 kg) wether lambs which were held in pens and trained to eat lucerne pellets. Feed troughs similar to those used on ships were constructed 260 mm deep and 220 mm wide. A system of adjustable railings were used to alter the trough height and to determine the optimal spacing to allow the large sheep to get their heads through, but to prevent small sheep from escaping. In order that sheep of various sizes can access feed from the bottom of feed troughs, the height of the top edge of the trough should not exceed 360 mm above floor level for 30 kg sheep or 460 mm for mature sheep. This range is due to differences between the groups in their shoulder height, and variation between individuals within each group. Shoulder heights of the small sheep used in this trial ranged from 505 to 590 mm, and for the 16 mature animals the range was 610-715 mm. It is important that the feed troughs are low enough for all animals to access the feed on offer. Mature sheep were able to pass their heads between rails spaced at 200 mm without difficulty, but some difficulty was experienced when the space was reduced to 180 mm. The maximum rail spacing which prevented the escape of 30 kg lambs could not be determined with certainty because they could pass through a space of only 180 mm when laid on their side, but the smallest space through which they passed voluntarily was 220 mm. Hence the optimal spacing between railings which would allow all sheep good access to feed and would prevent almost all small sheep from escaping is about 190-210 mm.     

Choice of attractive conditions by beef cattle in a Y-maze just after release from restraint: Effect of sheep

To provide useful information on how to moderate post‐handling stress, Angus heifers (n = 157) were individually allowed to enter a choice area after 2 min of restraint in a crush and to choose between two pens. After the animal had chosen a pen, free access was given to both test pens and the choice area for a further 5 min. The behaviors during choice and after the first choosing were observed. In experiment 1, each heifer was given one of the following choices: pen with three familiar heifers (peers) versus pen with six sheep (sheep; n = 30); peers versus the bare pen (bare; n = 30); sheep versus bare (n = 30). When the choice combination was peers versus bare, more heifers than expected by chance chose the peers pen (χ² = 4.80; P < 0.05). However, when one of the other choice combinations was given, there was no significant difference between the number choosing a pen and the expected value. After the first choice, more heifers entered the peers pen than the bare pen (P < 0.05) or the sheep pen (P < 0.10). In experiment 2, another 67 heifers were given one of the following choices: peers versus pen with a novel object (NO; n = 19); sheep versus NO (n = 22); bare versus NO (n = 26). There was no significant difference between the number of heifers choosing a pen and the expected value in any choice combination. However, more heifers entered the peers pen than the NO pen (P < 0.01). It is concluded that sheep were not as attractive as peers, but sheep were not fearful animals for cattle.     

Effect of shade area on performance and welfare of short-fed feedlot cattle

One hundred twenty-six Black Angus yearling heifers were used in a 119-d study to assess the effect of shade allocation (0, 2.0, 3.3, or 4.7 m(2)/animal) on the performance and welfare of feedlot cattle. Shade treatments were replicated 4 times and the no-shade treatment was replicated twice. Shade was provided by 70% solar block shade cloth, attached to a 4-m-high frame with a north-south orientation. Cattle were randomly allocated to a pen (9/pen; 19.2 m(2)/animal) within treatment. Performance was assessed using DMI, G:F, ADG, HCW, dressing percentage, and rump fat depth. Climatic data (ambient and black globe temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, relative humidity, and rainfall) were recorded. From these data, the heat load index (HLI) was calculated. When the daily maximum HLI (HLI(Max)) was <86, individual panting score (0 = no panting; 4 = open mouth, tongue extended), animal location (eating, drinking, under shade), and animal posture (standing or lying) were collected at 0600, 1200, and 1800 h. When HLI(Max) was ≥ 86, these data were collected every 2 h between 0600 and 1800 h. Feed intake was recorded weekly and water intake was recorded daily on a pen basis. When HLI(Max) was ≥ 86, mean panting score (MPS: mean of animals within treatment) was greatest (1.02; P < 0.001) for unshaded cattle compared with cattle in the shade treatments, which were similar (0.82; P = 0.81). During heat waves, the MPS of unshaded cattle was greater (2.66; P < 0.001) than that for shaded cattle. The MPS of cattle in the 2.0 m(2)/animal treatment (2.43 ± 0.13) was greater (P < 0.001) than that of cattle in the 3.3 (2.11 ± 0.13) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (2.03 ± 0.13) treatments. The MPS of cattle in the 3.3 and 4.7 m(2)/animal treatments were similar (P = 0.09). Number standing was similar (P = 0.98) between unshaded and shaded at 2.0 m(2)/animal treatments with 4.75 and 4.76 animals/pen, respectively. Fewer (P < 0.0001) were standing in the 3.3 (4.19 animals/pen) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (4.06 animals/pen) treatments. Fewer (P = 0.004) cattle were under the shade at 2.0 m(2)/animal (47.1%) compared with the number under the shade at 3.3 (53.7%) and 4.7 m(2)/animal (53.6%). Unshaded cattle had the smallest (0.085 ± 0.006) G:F ratio (P = 0.01), followed by cattle shaded at 4.7 m(2)/animal (0.104 ± 0.006; P ≤ 0.001). There was no difference (P = 0.12) between the 2.0 and 3.3 m(2)/animal treatments. There were no differences (P > 0.10) for final BW, HCW, dressing percentage, and rump fat depth. Cattle with access to shade had smaller panting scores, which suggests improved welfare, and had better feed efficiency. Shade reduced the intensity of the heat load but did not fully remove the effect of heat.     

Specification of pen rail spacing and trough heights to prevent escape and enable good access to feed by sheep during sea shipments from New Zealand

A trial was carried out to determine the optimal height of feeding troughs above floor level and the spacing between pen railings which would enable sheep to access feed troughs but prevent them from getting out of pens during sea voyages. The trial involved a group of 16 large (79 kg) wether sheep and 24 small (30 kg) wether lambs which were held in pens and trained to eat lucerne pellets. Feed troughs similar to those used on ships were constructed 260 mm deep and 220 mm wide. A system of adjustable railings were used to alter the trough height and to determine the optimal spacing to allow the large sheep to get their heads through, but to prevent small sheep from escaping.

In order that sheep of various sizes can access feed from the bottom of feed troughs, the height of the top edge of the trough should not exceed 360 mm above floor level for 30 kg sheep or 460 mm for mature sheep. This range is due to differences between the groups in their shoulder height, and variation between individuals within each group. Shoulder heights of the small sheep used in this trial ranged from 505 to 590 mm, and for the 16 mature animals the range was 610–715 mm. It is important that the feed troughs are low enough for all animals to access the feed on offer.

In order that sheep of various sizes can access feed from the bottom of feed troughs, the height of the top edge of the trough should not exceed 360 mm above floor level for 30 kg sheep or 460 mm for mature sheep. This range is due to differences between the groups in their shoulder height, and variation between individuals within each group. Shoulder heights of the small sheep used in this trial ranged from 505 to 590 mm, and for the 16 mature animals the range was 610–715 mm. It is important that the feed troughs are low enough for all animals to access the feed on offer.

Mature sheep were able to pass their heads between rails spaced at 200 mm without difficulty, but some difficulty was experienced when the space was reduced to 180 mm. The maximum rail spacing which prevented the escape of 30 kg lambs could not be determined with certainty because they could pass through a space of only 180 mm when laid on their side, but the smallest space through which they passed voluntarily was 220 mm. Hence the optimal spacing between railings which would allow all sheep good access to feed and would prevent almost all small sheen from escaping is about 190–210 mm.