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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195999
Title: ANIMAL CONTROL - WHAT CONSTITUTES A RELIABLE CUE TO STOP ANIMAL MOVEMENT?

Author
item BISHOP-HURLEY, GREG - CSIRO LIVESTOCK INDUS
item SWAIN, DAVE - CSIRO LIVESTOCK INDUS
item Anderson, Dean
item CORKE, PETER - CSIRO ICT

Submitted to: Society of Range Management
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2006
Publication Date: 2/12/2006
Citation: Bishop-Hurley, G., Swain, D., Anderson, D., Corke, P. 2006. Animal control - What constitutes a reliable cue to stop animal movement [abstract]? The Society for Range Management 59th Annual Meeting and Trade Show, February 12-17, 2006, Vancouver, British Columbia. Paper No. 31.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Controlling free-range livestock requires low-stress cues to alter animal behaviour. Recently modulated sound and electric shock were demonstrated to be effective in controlling free-ranging cattle. In this study the behaviour of 60, 300 kg Belmont Red heifers were observed for behavioural changes when presented cues designed to impede their movement through an alley. The heifers were given an overnight drylot shrink off feed but not drinking water prior to being tested. Individual cattle were allowed to move down a 6.5 m wide alley towards a pen of peers and feed located 71 m from their point of release. Each animal was allowed to move through the alley unimpeded five times to establish a basal behavioural pattern. Animals were then randomly assigned to treatments consisting of sound plus shock, vibration plus shock, a visual cue plus chock, shock by itself and a control. The time each animal required to reach the pen of peers and feed was recorded. If the animal was prevented from reaching the pen of peers and feed by not penetrating through the 'cue barrier' at set points along the alley for at least 60 sec the test was stopped and the animal was returned to peers located behind the release pen. Cues and shock were manually applied from a laptop while animals were observed from a 3.5 m tower located outside the alley. Electric shock, sound, vibration and Global Position System (GPS) hardware were housed in a neck collar.