Behavioural responses of sheep during short term transport

Authors: Collins T
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Welfare, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Consumers and public organisations are showing increased interest in the rearing and transport of livestock in Australia and elsewhere. The well being of sheep during road transport can be influenced by many factors including sheep and vehicle characteristics. These factors include loading and unloading, novelty of environment, confinement, unfamiliar mixing, stocking density, temperature, humidity, deprivation of food and water, vehicle type, transport times and driver behaviour.1,2,3 Much research has examined the physiological responses of sheep to these conditions, for example, increased cortisol and heart rate have been recorded with longer transport trips with extended feed and water curfew periods4 and frequent changes in acceleration.5 This research has been useful in indicating stress associated with major transport risk factors, but there is still a demand for development of measures of assessment that can be applied practically in the field, in an industry setting. Due to the intensive and invasive nature of studies that examine stress physiology it can be difficult to carry out this type of assessment on all risk factors during transport. Many of these factors may be subtle in terms of their impacts on animal wellbeing, but are nevertheless important to consider when striving for industry best practice. There are few measurable parameters that reflect how the animal is coping over time that do not add further distress to the individual upon collection.

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