Animal Behavior

1. Ethology- The science of animal behavior
2. Terminology
1. Critical Periods- period of development in which a skill or characteristic can be readily acquired
2. Learning/conditioning
1. Classical- Two stimuli are repeatedly paired, learned that they come together
2. Habituation- Learning to ignore a stimulus that doesn't affect an animal
3. Operant- learning through trial-and-error; positive/negative reinforcement
3. Imprint learning- happens at specific times in development
1. Cross-imprinting is negative
4. Stereotyped behavior- non-functional, repetitive behavior
1. Ex: Pacing
3. Animal Communication
1. Visual
1. Ex: Ears, Tails, etc.
2. Olfactory
1. Ex: Sexual activity, Identification
1. Flehmen response (in male ruminants)- curling back of upper lip and inhalation through nostrils; sense when female is in heat
3. Auditory
1. Different meanings of different calls/sounds
4. Social Structure
1. Cattle
1. Bunt/hook order
1. Height, weight, horns, age, sex
2. Piglets
1. Teat order
2. Heaviest; Firstborn
3. Sheep
1. Leadership/flocking
5. Aggression
1. Territorial
2. Pain-induced
3. Fear-induced
4. Maternal
5. Sexual
1. Ex: stallions defend mares, champing in boars, etc.
6. Biological Rhythms and Sleep
1. Amount of sleep varies by species
1. Pigs rest a lot, horses rest very little
7. Sexual Behavior
1. Estrus behavior in females
2. Male courtship behavior
8. Maternal Behavior
1. Pigs
1. Nestbuilding
2. Very little licking of piglets
3. Nursing Call
4. Many nursing bouts
5. Fights for teats
2. Sheep
1. Amniotic fluid attraction
2. Licking is important
3. Acceptance of lambs
4. Recognition
5. Lambs are followers
3. Cattle
1. Amniotic fluid attraction
2. Grooming and bonding
3. Vocalizations
4. Nursing stance
5. Calves are hiders
4. Horses
1. Thwart observation of foaling- can hold off from giving birth until in privacy
2. Some initial licking
3. Mare uses vocal/olfactory cues to recognize young
4. Foal vocalizes to nurse
9. Livestock Behavior
1. Temperament
1. Genetics and environment
1. Fearful
2. Flight zone
3. Fearful of new situations
1. Effects of novelty: stress, reactions, habituation occurs after awhile
2. Vision
1. Wide angle of vision
2. Detection of sudden movement
3. Depth perception has difficulty w/ changes in flooring
1. See shadows as solid things
4. Color vision- dichromatic
1. Blue-green and yellow-green
3. Hearing
1. Sensitivity to high frequency
2. Unexpected noises are stressors
3. Adaptation to continuous noise
1. Avoid loud/novel noises
4. Flight Zone
1. Personal space
2. Size
1. Depends on tameness, size of enclosure, speed of approach, experience
3. Used to move/handle animals
5. Herd Animals
1. Stressed when separated
2. Agitation of herd can cause injuries
3. Use knowledge of herd-instinct to move the entire herd (follow-the-leader)
10. Handling Facility Design
1. Utilize behavioral principles
2. Curved edges
1. Circling tendencies
2. Can't see
3. Light
11. Handling Practices
1. Move small bunches
2. No electric prods
3. Eliminate visual distractions
4. Reduce noise
5. Flight zone manipulation
6. Slow pace
7. Use following behavior in herd animals
8. Train the handlers to be knowledgeable