Impact on feeding behavior of beef calves during preconditioning on ranch and commingling on arrival at the feedlot

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dc.contributor.advisorOrsel, Karin
dc.contributor.authorHodder, Abigail
dc.contributor.committeememberPajor, Ed
dc.contributor.committeemembervan der Meer, Frank
dc.dateSpring Convocation
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-15T17:43:15Z
dc.date.embargolift2022-07-24
dc.date.issued2022-01-24
dc.description.abstractPreconditioning refers to management practices implemented at the ranch to promote an easier transition to the feedlot; it is known to improve the health and welfare of beef calves. For this thesis, feeding behaviour and activity of preconditioned calves was studied from the ranch to feedlot and compared to other sources of calves, with a specific focus on the impact of bunk exposure on feeding behaviour at the feedlot. Behavioural observations were used to determine bunk attendance and CowManager® technology for time spent “eating”, “ruminating”, and “activity” (active and not active) of preconditioned, ranch-sourced, and auction-derived calves. At the ranch, bunk attendance was significantly improved for preconditioned calves between all consecutive days except days 4 and 5. Furthermore, preconditioned calves had increased bunk attendance and time spent eating at the feedlot compared to other calf sources. Preconditioned calves spent less time active, and there was no significant difference between calf sources in time spent ruminating. These results were similar when comparing preconditioned and auction-derived calves within commingled pens, providing evidence that preconditioned calves outperformed auction-derived calves during the first week after arrival at the feedlot.
dc.identifier.citationHodder, A. (2022). Impact on feeding behavior of beef calves during preconditioning on ranch and commingling on arrival at the feedlot (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/115484
dc.identifier.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/40451
dc.language.isoenen
dc.language.isoEnglish
dc.publisher.facultyGraduate Studiesen
dc.publisher.facultyVeterinary Medicine
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en
dc.subjectfeeding behaviour
dc.subjectanimal welfare
dc.subjectcalf health
dc.subjectweaning
dc.subjectrumination
dc.subjectactivity
dc.subject.classificationAgriculture--Animal Culture and Nutrition
dc.subject.classificationBiology--Veterinary Science
dc.titleImpact on feeding behavior of beef calves during preconditioning on ranch and commingling on arrival at the feedlot
dc.typemaster thesis
thesis.degree.disciplineVeterinary Medical Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgary
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)
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