Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXII, Issue 2
Written by Veysel Ali ÜNAL, Atakan KOÇ
Behaviors of Holstein-Friesian (HF), Brown Swiss (BS) and Simmental (SIM) bulls were determined under the Mediterranean conditions for a period of six months. A total of35 bulls were fed in two groups (10 HF and 8 BS in group I and 10 SIM and 7 HF bulls in group II). At the time of high feed consumption, the tendency to drink water from all breeds was also high and HF bulls had higher drinking and elimination behavior rates than those of BS and SIMbulls especially in hot summer months. All breeds preferred to perform locomotor activities late in the evening during the hot summer months. The bulls decreased feeding, standing and locomotion activities during hot hours at a lower rate or postponed these behaviors to the cooler hours of the day, but they increased lying and rumination activities in those hours. While HF bulls were more affected by higher temperatures than SIM and BS bulls, taking precautions against high temperature on farms level would lead to increase the fattening performance and also the welfare of the bulls.
[Read full article] [Citation]
