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Foyle Food Group
16 Dec 2024
The addition of enrichment tools helps to both mentally and physically stimulate cattle and encourage natural grooming behaviours. Cattle housing is designed to promote weight gain and improve performance by optimising resources and managing efficiency. Enrichment objects such as brushes has been suggested to prevent boredom, frustration and abnormal behaviours whilst promoting better welfare.
Foyle investigated the effect of brushes on behaviour, cleanliness and performance of finishing cattle. The 60-day trial was conducted using 72 continental steers that were split into two groups and housed in identically sized pens with one group including an AgriCow pendeulum brush located on the wall. Cleanliness scores were recorded every other week and visual observations on behaviour were taken for eight hours per day twice weekly.
Results showed an increase in the frequency of comfort behaviours and a decrease in conflict and stereotypical behaviours. Whilst there was no link between brush presence and cleanliness, a 0.21kg greater Daily Liveweight Gain (DLWG) was found in those individuals housed with a brush. Further trials were completed to verify these results with longer periods of 90 days confirming the increase in DLWG of 0.2kg. Feed intakes were also measured in the repeat trials with no significant difference, therefore cattle using the brush show a higher feed efficiency. During the third trial, cattle body language was observed and animals with a brush were less bored, irritated and agitated.
Results from the research projects suggest the inclusion of a cattle brush for housed beef would offer benefit to both animal welfare and farm finances. Cattle that are not stressed, healthy and happy will be more productive and efficient leading to increased weight gain and potentially higher profit margins.
16 Dec 2024
16 Dec 2024
16 Dec 2024
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