Large Animal Behavior

Cattle social behavior

Matriarchal groups with solitary or small groups of males that mix during mating season; complex social hierarchy usually based on age/size/horns

Cow maternal behavior

Hider species that prefer to calve in secluded areas away from the herd, dams will vocalize, lick calf, and eat placenta (helps bonding)

Commercial cattle behavior challenges

• competition/too many animals per resource

• mixing/regrouping

• weaning cows

• calving housing

Pair calf housing

Improves social development, cognition, and growth without increasing disease

Sympathetic response

Fast response to stress signal based on epinephrine, increases alertness, heart/respiratory rate, pupil dilation, blood flow, and glucose mobilization

HPA response

Slow response to a stress signal based on cortisol, decreases inflammation and digestion

Green cow signs

• grazing or ruminating

• heads down, ears relaxed

• relaxed posture or lying down

Yellow cow signs

• in heat (standing/mounting)

• eyes and ears pointed in one direction

• no rumination

• freeze/flight

Red cow signs

• head threat (head down with arc of neck over top, ears pointed)

• broadside threat (body turned to look bigger)

• pacing, pawing, snorting

• most common in new moms or uncastrated bulls

Causes of stress in cattle

• novelty

• isolation from the herd

• poor handling (loud noises, electric prod)

Cattle pain signs

• head below spinal column

• hind limbs extended caudally

• arched back

• kicking/stamping/licking

• ventral recumbency with hind limb extension

Swine social behavior

Matriarchal groups of related females and offspring (larger groups when more resources) with strict pair relationships (dominance in pairs) and the sow at the highest rank

Swine maternal behavior

Hider species, sow leaves the group to prepare a nest

Commercial swine behavior challenges

• aggression when mixing anmals

• tail/bar biting

• housing sows (fighting in group pens)

• piglet survival

Equine social behavior

Form bands and are harem breeders (number of stallions depends on predation and resources)

Equine maternal behavior

Follower species, foal should be standing and suckling by 1.5 hours after birth

Equine developmental periods

• transitional: birth to 3 weeks

• social: 3 weeks to 3 months

• juvenile: 3 months to 3.5 years

• adult: 5 to 15 years

Green horse signs

• able to focus and learn

• follows commands

• interested in treats

Yellow horse signs

• high head

• ears pointed, eyes scanning

• flared nostrils

• tail up or tucked

• tense muscles

• sharp snort

Red horse signs

• sweating

• head threat

• jumping, kicking, biting

• tense muscles

• frequent defecation

• will not follow commands

Equine pain signs

• ears back

• not eating

• muzzle tense

• almond-shaped eyes (squinting)

• wide nostrils

• head down, laying down, or pacing

Pain signs in ridden horses

• ears back, tongue out

• going above the bit (hand-level)

• head tilting

• unwilling to go or spontaneous gait change

Equine elimination

• prefer soft footing areas (designated latrines)

• urination triggered by other horses

• defecate over other horses’ feces

Bovine elimination

• urination: 5-13x

• defecation: 7-15x

• only defecate while walking if moving as herd

Large animal time budgets

• horses stand 80% of the time

• cows and pigs lie down ~90% of the time