Growth rate and behaviour in separated, partially separated or non-separated kids and the corresponding milk production of their mothers

We address the hypothesis that keeping kids and mothers together would have positive effects on the milk composition of the mother and the behaviour of the kids. Kids were either permanently separated (SEP), daily separated between 7.30 and 15 h (DAY-SEP) or kept with mothers 24 h/d (NON-SEP). The NON-SEP kids were only allowed to suckle one teat. All kids had similar growth rate throughout the study (lactation days 5–70). DAY-SEP kids spent 24% of their time with their mother at both ages. NON-SEP spent only 15% of the time with their mothers at 2 weeks of age and this increased to 28% at 2 months of age. NON-SEP kids showed more hiding behaviour at 2 weeks and SEP were more active alone, at both 2 weeks and 2 months, compared to the other treatments. The mean available milk yield and fat concentration were higher in DAY-SEP goats (2420 g ± 119 g and 4.9 ± 0.1%) compared with NON-SEP goats (2149 ± 79 g and 4.4 ± 0.1%). There were no differences between DAY-SEP and NON-SEP goats in total protein, lactose, or casein concentrations. Based on these data it was estimated that 7.1 kg milk was needed to produce 1 kg semi-hard cheese in DAY-SEP goats and 7.5 kg in NON-SEP goats, respectively. When comparing milk yield and composition between udder halves, the milk yield was, as expected, higher from the machine milked teat than from the suckled one in the NON-SEP goats but there was no difference between right and left udder halves in DAY-SEP goats. Milk fat concentration varied between teats at morning and afternoon milkings in NON-SEP goats, but there was no difference in milk fat between udder-halves in DAY-SEP goats. In conclusion, the kid growth rate was similar in all treatments, however, an altered behaviour was seen in permanently separated kids (SEP). The results show that it is possible to have a high milk yield and fat concentration with one kid together with the dam

24-h sheltering behaviour of individually kept horses during Swedish summer weather

Provision of shelter for horses kept on summer pasture is rarely considered in welfare guidelines, perhaps because the benefits of shelter in warm conditions are poorly documented scientifically. For cattle, shade is a valued resource during summer and can mitigate the adverse effects of warm weather on well-being and performance. We found in a previous study that horses utilized shelters frequently in summer. A shelter with a roof and closed on three sides (shelter A) was preferred and can reduce insect pressure whereas a shelter with roof and open on three sides was not utilized. However, shelter A restricts the all-round view of a horse, which may be important for horses as flight animals. Therefore, we studied whether a shelter with roof, where only the upper half of the rear wall was closed (shelter B), would be utilized while maintaining insect protection properties and satisfying the horses’ sense for security. A third shelter was offered with walls but no roof (shelter C) to evaluate whether the roof itself is an important feature from the horse’s perspective. Eight Warmblood horses were tested each for 2 days, kept individually for 24 h in two paddocks with access to shelters A and B, or shelters A and C, respectively. Shelter use was recorded continuously during the night (1800–2400 h, 0200–0600 h) and the following day (0900–1600 h), and insect defensive behaviour (e.g., tail swish) in instantaneous scan samples at 5-min intervals during daytime

Cardiovascular, endocrine and behavioural responses to suckling and permanent separation in goats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Suckling can be a peaceful or vulnerable event for goats and kids, whereas, separation is suggested as stressful. The aim of this study was to investigate physiology and behaviour in these two different situations in dairy goats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four studies were performed with seven goats kept with their first-born kid in individual boxes. The goats were videotaped and heart rate and arterial blood pressure were recorded every minute by telemetry from parturition until 24 hours after separation. One to two days after parturition, Study 1 was performed with analyses of heart rate and blood pressure around a suckling. In Study 2, performed 3-5 days after parturition, blood sampling was done before, during and after suckling. Study 3 was performed 4-6 days post partum, with blood sampling before and after a permanent goat and kid separation. In addition, vocalisations were recorded after separation. Blood samples were obtained from a jugular vein catheter and analysed for plasma cortisol, β-endorphin, oxytocin, and vasopressin concentrations. Study 4 was performed during the first (N1) and second nights (N2) after parturition and the nights after Study 2 (N3) and 3 (N4). Heart rate, blood pressure and time spent lying down were recorded.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The kids suckled 2 ± 0.2 times per hour and each suckling bout lasted 43 ± 15 s. In Study 1, heart rate and blood pressure did not change significantly during undisturbed suckling. In Study 2, plasma cortisol (P ≤ 0.05 during suckling and P ≤ 0.01 five minutes after suckling) and β-endorphin (P ≤ 0.05) concentrations increased during suckling, but oxytocin and vasopressin concentrations did not change. In Study 3, the goats and kids vocalised intensively during the first 20 minutes after separation, but the physiological variables were not affected. In Study 4, heart rate and arterial blood pressure declined gradually after parturition and were lowest during N4 (P ≤ 0.05) when the goats spent longer time lying down than during earlier nights (P ≤ 0.01 during N1 and N3 and P ≤ 0.05 during N2).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Suckling elevated plasma cortisol and β-endorphin concentrations in the goats. The intensive vocalisation in the goats after separation, earlier suggested to indicate stress, was not accompanied by cardiovascular or endocrine responses.</p

Effects of feeding frequency and voluntary salt intake on fluid and electrolyte regulation in athletic horses

Jansson, Anna, and Kristina Dahlborn. Effects of feeding frequency and voluntary salt intake on fluid and electrolyte regulation in athletic horses. J. Appl. Physiol. 86(5): 1610-1616, 1999.-The effect of feeding frequency and voluntary sodium intake (VSI) on fluid shifts and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were studied at rest and after exercise in six athletic horses. The horses were fed twice a day (2TD) and six times a day (6TD) for 25 days for each protocol, according to a changeover design. VSI was measured by weighing each horse&apos;s salt block daily. Feeding 2TD or 6TD caused no major alterations in fluid shifts, but in the 2TD treatment there was a postprandial increase in plasma protein concentration and osmolality that lasted Ͻ1 h. PAC and VSI were not affected by feeding frequency. VSI ranged from 0 to 62 mg · kg body weight Ϫ1 · day Ϫ1 and caused significant alterations in PAC. At VSI Ͻ26 mg · kg body weight Ϫ1 · day Ϫ1 , a diurnal rhythm for PAC was noted. Water intake, fecal concentrations of sodium and potassium, and packed cell volume during exercise were influenced by VSI. The response to exercise did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, VSI, but not feeding frequency, has significant effects on fluid and electrolyte regulation in athletic horses. aldosterone; exercise; feces; fluid balance; sodium deficiency WILD HERBIVORES spend most of their time grazing or ruminating. This behavior ensures a regular flow of digesta and causes small, momentary fluxes of digestive fluids across the alimentary tract. In cattle, sheep, and ponies on a hay diet, the daily parotid secretion is [in liters/100 kg body weight (body wt)] ϳ9-17 (15), 6-21 (15), and 7-8 (2), respectively. This salivary secretion corresponds to ϳ1-4 times the plasma volume, and if this fluid shift were to take place within a short period, it would certainly have the potential to affect fluid-balance regulation. Accordingly, a large single meal fed to sheep (5) and ponies (6) has been shown to cause a significant postprandial hypovolemia that did not occur in animals fed more frequently. Single meals can also increase the plasma renin level in sheep (5) and levels of both renin and aldosterone in goats (8). It has been concluded that, in nonexercising horses (7) and ponies (6), feeding is a major stimulus for the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Athletic horses undergo regular exercise training and competition, and the associated sweating results in substantial losses of sodium, which cannot be compensated for by a grass and grain diet. However, herbivores are known to have a well-developed appetite for sodium, and one of the most common ways of supplying sodium to them is by offering a salt block. The mechanisms regulating sodium appetite are not fully understood, but, in some species, aldosterone and angiotensin II may play a role. If feeding frequency affects the RAAS, then sodium appetite may also be influenced by feeding. Previous studies of the effect of feeding frequency have been made in animals fed concentrated feed at a maintenance level. These studies have also been made under laboratory conditions, with animals kept in metabolism cages or subjected to some other type of restraint. In addition, few studies have been made on the voluntary sodium intake of animals subjected to physiological sodium losses, such as sweating. In the present study, the effects of feeding frequency on fluid shifts, plasma aldosterone concentration, and voluntary sodium intake were investigated in athletic horses without having to encroach on their daily routine to any great extent. METHOD

Physiological and behavioural responses of Swedish domestic goats and their kids (Capra hircus) to 15 days of heat exposure

Seven Swedish domestic goats (Capra hircus, 2-3 years) and their kids (37 +/- 4 days) were subjected to indoor temperatures above 30 degrees C during 15 days (periods H1-H4; periods without heat C1, C2) to study acclimation. Rectal temperature (RT) increased by 1.1 degrees C during H1 to H3 (P < 0.001 vs. C1), but only by 0.6 degrees C during H4 (P < 0.001 vs. C1; P < 0.024 vs. H1). Respiration rate (RR) increased less during H4 than during H1 (P < 0.001). Skin temperature increased during heat (P < 0.001), and skin evaporation (SE), which differed from C1 to H4 (P < 0.05). Goats increased water intake during heat, resulting in lowered milk osmolality while milk offtake was maintained. Kids' thermoregulatory responses resembled those of the goats. Thus, decreasing RT and RR simultaneously with increasing SE at the end of the heat indicate that goats had started to acclimate