Comportamento social de cabras em lactação após reagrupamento
Correa, Carina MoraisZanela, Maira BalbinottiSchmidt, Verônica
Like other farm animals, domestic goats may react adversely to unfamiliar individuals, and aggression can be minimized by avoiding the introduction of new individuals into established groups. In modern dairy herds, regrouping according to age, nutrient requirements, lactation period and milk yield level is a common management practice to enhance productivity. However, as a result of vigorous fighting associated with the establishment of a new social hierarchy, this practice may temporally disturb the social structure of the herd. High levels of chasing, ghting and displacement from resources may indicate social stress in a group of animals. Possible consequences are a lower access to food, water and attractive resting areas and reduced resting time. This might result in a lower feed intake and a lower growth, suppressed immune response, reduced milk yield and lower reproductive success. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of social instability (regrouping) and its consequences in the milk production of Saanen goats.(AU)
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