Evaluation of Chute Exit, Novelty and Human Approach Tests in Mertolenga Beef Cattle

Simple Summary: The increase in farms' size over time while not increasing livestock density, and the extension of the area where animals are kept, has meant that the proximity between human and animals has decreased. More than ever, good management is essential, as it is associated with better performances and overall welfare improvement. The personality traits most commonly studied in farm animals are exploration and sociability, and are usually studied by observing animals' behavior. The present work aimed to evaluate the behavior of Mertolenga breed young bulls when exiting the chute, the reaction to novelty and human approach tests, as well as to understand if the responses between these tests are related. Data from twenty-nine Mertolenga-bred young bulls was collected and analyzed, and it was observed that older animals showed a tendency to leave the chute more calmly, took longer to touch the novelty ball and touched the ball less often, with a consequent reduction in the likelihood of playing with it. As for the human approach test, animals that came out of the chute more calmly allowed the human to come closer to them. These behavior tests should be further studied on potential sires in order to increase docility and handling in autochthonous beef breeds. Abstract: Livestock behavior and welfare are increasingly recognized to be related, not only to the animals' handling, but also with productivity. The present work was carried out at the Mertolenga Breed Testing Center and its objective was to evaluate the behavior of Mertolenga breed young bulls when exiting the chute, the reaction to novelty and human approach tests, as well as to understand if the responses between these tests are related. Twenty-nine Mertolenga-bred young bulls from 16 different farms, aged between 8 and 13 months, entered the study farm from the end of May to the beginning of June 2021. Data was collected on six different days and analyzed with the SAS (R) 9.4 software. Older animals showed a tendency to leave the chute more calmly, take longer to touch the novelty ball and to touch the ball less often, with a consequent reduction in the likelihood of playing with it. In the human approach test, animals that came out of the chute more calmly allowed the human to come closer. These behavior tests should be further studied on potential sires, so as to increase docility and manageability of autochthonous beef breeds.

Automated summary

The decrease in proximity between humans and animals due to the increase in farm size and extension of animal-keeping areas highlights the importance of good management for better performance and animal welfare. This study evaluated the behavior of Mertolenga breed young bulls during exiting the chute, novel object reaction, and human approach tests, and examined the potential relationships between these tests. Data from 29 Mertolenga-bred young bulls showed that older animals tended to exit the chute calmly, took longer to interact with the novel object, and had reduced likelihood of playing with it. Bulls that exited the chute calmly also allowed closer human approach. Further research on these behavior tests could enhance docility and manageability of indigenous beef breeds.